On November 26th, 2018, Du Anyam team from Jakarta, gathered in Solor Island, East Flores for an annual gathering while celebrating the company anniversary. The gathering was conducted by celebrating the success with the weavers. During this event, hundreds of the weavers gathered to create wicker weaving made from Palmyra leaves, continued with blood pressure check-up, lunch feast with nutritious foods, and scholarships distribution for the weavers.
“We are so proud to be able to invite and involve many associations in promoting the local wisdom through Palmyra leaves weaving activity. This is a skill that has been rarely inherited by women in East Flores. We hope that Du Anyam will not walk alone, but holding hands in hands with the government and other institutions, supporting East Flores women to be empowered through the creation of Palmyra leaves wicker weavings.”
– Hanna Keraf, Chief Operating Officer of Du Anyam
“This mass weaving event makes me very happy because, first, it gathers all the weavers in Solor Island. Second, as an occasion to say to the community that wicker weaving is very useful and has been well known to international level. Lastly, as a chance to brought the weavers, the staffs, and the founders together in one place.”
Merry Koten, Du Anyam Field Facilitator in Solor Island
The event opened by the traditional dance performance from the children of Wulublolong village, to welcome the arrival of The Regent of East Flores, Antonius H. G. Hadjon, Mrs. Hadjon as the Head of PKK Team, and the officials.
All 303 women and a group of high school students across 21 villages in Solor Island weaved the Palmyra leaves with the braid technique. In collaboration with local health center, Du Anyam also did a blood pressure check-up for the weavers and held a nutritious lunch feast to support the weavers’ intake.
As a form of appreciation, we also distributed 50 scholarships for the children of the hard working weavers. The Regent was very supportive of Du Anyam, as he mentioned that Du Anyam can be the solution to stunting problem, which has been suffered by several children in East Flores.
This event is a historical moment for us. It is the first time for most of the members across Indonesia gathered together, along with 303 weavers from Solor Island as well. Through this outing and Du Anyam’s fourth-anniversary celebration, it is hoped that we can contribute more to the society, can manage to engage more with the women of younger generations, also committed more to the wicker weavings preservation.
