Karangasem sub village is geographically not good to agriculture. That condition does not make the citizen feel despair and transmigrate to other region. That makes Karangasem people do not depend on agriculture as their living. But, they use bamboo trees that grow in that region as high arts value crafts. They can fulfill their daily need by become bamboo crafters.


Karangsem sub village, which is located at Muntuk village, Dlingo, Bantul has 220 heads of family. “Almost all people in here work as crafter. Their skill is hereditary, because the main living is as bamboo crafters. The 6 years old children can even plait, ”Tukiyo as the Head of sub village says.

The products that are produced are tampah (big plate made of bamboo), kalo (strainer) ceting (rice bowl), tool to make cake, dust bin, fruit place, plaice mate and kinds of unique bamboo crafts. The price ranges Rp 5.000,00 to Rp 250.000,- per piece, it depends on kinds of bamboo that is used, model and measurement. Crafters of Karangasem use kinds of bamboo to make their crafts. The kinds of bamboo are bamboo of apus, wulung, petung, ampel and cendani. “Bamboo material is available in Karangasem, Tangkil and other region. Most people in here plant bamboo tree at their space area. But, if we still need bamboo, we usually take bamboo from Kulonprogo, Muntilan and Purworejo region, “Supardiyono (38), one of success bamboo crafters says.

For national market, crafts of Karangasem have reached over Indonesia area, especially Jakarta, Yogyakarta and Bali. For foreign market, it has reached over America, Italy, Australia, England, Japan, Canada and Saudi Arabia. Crafters of Karangasem cooperate with many trading in Bantul and Yogyakarta to export their craft products.