Artistic Pottery in Banyumulek

Pottery or earthenware used by human beings since thousands of years ago. Historically, it has existed since the Neolithic era when humans began to live sedentary farming, and of fire. In Lombok, the tradition of pottery-making, we can watch in the Village Banyumulek. Banyumulek village located in the district of Kediri. The craftsmen of men and women generally work in a warehouse, garage, or yard. In the narrow spaces that they produce a variety of pottery which was then exported to developed countries such New Zealand, Netherlands, France and America.Pottery-making process can be witnessed anyone. A number of large workshop classes even open for visitors who want to learn the techniques of manufacture. Among the villagers, the expertise to make pottery is typically inherited through blood lines. Children learn from a young age.
Within a day, a senior crafters can produce 10 small earthenware 4-5 inches tall. Persistence and patience to be key in producing high quality product. Method for making pottery is actually quite simple. Initially, raw materials such as clay (purchased for IDR 150 thousand per small bag), sand, and water are mixed into the dough. How to mix similar to the process of making tempe: trampled dough together by workers until all the material mixed. Jobs that suck power is usually done by men. In the next stage, the dough is shaped into pottery, and then burned in the hay. This latter process is generally the responsibility of women.
Banyumulek and tour packages to witness the process of making pottery is offered by many tour operators. But an important note, this village is not the only producer of pottery in Lombok. Village Penunjak and Masbagik are two other economic engines that routinely contribute to foreign exchange for the island.
Competition encourages each country to develop unique designs and motifs. Along the main street in Banyumulek standing stores that sell pottery with the theme of flora and fauna. The shape also varies. There is crockery, jeding, pots, and jugs thieves that characterized Banyumulek.

Photo Credit: i77ac_10