The tradition of rattan woven is embedded in the Wulublolong women as a sign of maturity. Rattan woven is one of cultural tourism assets in East Flores Regency, Flores Island. Wulublolong Village in East Solor District, Solor Island is the center of this woven craftsmanship. The weaving business, is well known and has been named a center of rattan weaving.
The trip to Wulublolong is not difficult because the sea transportation is quite smooth. Cross via Larantuka Harbor to Podor Pier with about 30 minutes travel time. Then continue riding a motorcycle to the east for about 3 kilometers.
Hotmix road conditions and the natural panorama of the beach can hypnotize the visitors there. Arriving at the village entrance, there is a welcome gate at Wulublolong. Not only weaving, Wulublolong people are very polite to every guest who comes. Treats of hot coffee and fried bananas are entrenched in their hearts.
About 30 weavers sat cross-legged on a blue tarpaulin that was stretched to cover the floor. They seem happy to make palm leaf shoots into aesthetically and economically valuable household items. Most of the weavers wear Lamholot motif of woven sarongs.
One by one the sliced rattan are woven into household items such as food storage containers, cake dishes, mats and much more. These products are then sorted to ensure proper standards.
Long ago, the production of woven by all women in Wulublolong and East Flores was not too popular as todays. The lack of increased human resources (HR) and financial support makes woven products seem to go nowhere.
As a center for woven activities, Wulublolong Village already has a Weaving House. The wall building measuring 15 x 12 square meters is used to collect all the woven products. Weaving House has four rooms, from the living room or place for weaving, stock room for storing sorted woven, a transit room or a place for storing rattan shoots, and a warehouse for storing ejection raw materials.
Weaving House is also used as a place for discussion when the Du’Anyam group get any problems. Visitors can learn how to weave, but are not allowed to smoke and litter.
–sh
