Menganyam Bersama, Celebration of Women Empowerment in Indonesia
On its 5th Anniversary, Du Anyam, a social enterprise focusing on women empowerment in Indonesia through the production and sale of wicker products, celebrated with 540 women weavers, at a community event entitled “Weaving Together” on Solor Island, East Flores, November 30th. 2019. This event was conducted to celebrate and rekindle the spirit of weaving while preserving our cultural heritage.
In addition to an interesting stage act by women weavers and a mass weaving activity, health checks were also conducted for the women weavers. Keynote speaker for the event was the Regent of East Flores, Antonius H.Gege Hadjon, accompanied by Hanna Keraf, Co-founder & Director of Du Anyam Community Development.
Wicker weaving a local wisdom, slowly left behind
About 40 years ago, wicker weaving was a mandatory skill for a Flores woman. Weaving skills were considered no less important than farming or cooking, so children were taught wicker weaving even in elementary school then. Even though it is part of their local wisdom, modernization has led to the art of weaving to be slowly left behind, especially by the younger generation in the past few decades. To preserve this traditional culture, massive support is needed from all stakeholders, including weavers, buyers, the local and central government.
Economic independence and cultural preservation
Therefore this event was a good opportunity to show the highest appreciation to the women weavers from across 30 villages. These women weavers will hopefully be more motivated to weave and increasingly be valued for their ability to be economically independent. Statistically, the income of Du Anyam weavers have increased by 40% through their wicker weaving, and as high as 55% now have savings. Seeing the positive changes in the community encourages Du Anyam to keep working on their mission of women empowerment in Indonesia.
For Du Anyam, who was the official 2018 Asian Games merchandiser, the priority is the sustainability of woven crafts and the welfare of the weaving mothers in Indonesia. With a target of 3,000 Indonesian weavers in the next five years and a mission to penetrate access to a wider global market, Du’Anyam is committed to raise enthusiasm and preservation of Indonesian woven crafts.