For bird devotees, everything will be done to satisfy their souls in breeding and loving various kinds of birds. Though it is only a common and not classical bird, it will be looked more special, if it is placed in a good cage. In other words, a classical bird is not seen classical if it is placed in a bad cage. So, cage factor is very affected in determining the bird value. In this case, there is a cluster of hamlet where its people have produced the birdcage crafts for a long time years ago. The cluster of hamlet is Bothokan, located in Argosari Sedayu Bantul, about 15 kilometers west of Yogyakarta City.


According to Sugito (40) the head of Bothokan clusters of hamlet, in his cluster of hamlets there are 30 birdcage crafters. According to him and supported by part of crafters, the birdcage craft is from their ancestor’s heritage. It means, most of them do the craft because they continue their ancestor’s business. This craft is only family business, because it is only done by the head of family, wife and children. After going home from school or in leisure time, the children always help the head of family. So, realizing or not, the children are introduced to how to make the cage well.


Besides the birdcage craft as the main living for most people, the other professions of the people are farmer, labor, mason, carpenter and so on. There are few persons who become officer in this hamlet. According to Parjiyo (40) one of crafters, he has been able to cost his wife and two children since 1989 from the bamboo material craft. So, does to Suwarto (44), the other crafter, he is much assiduous in his world to cost his family. In 1997, there was ever formed “Kelompok Rajin” (Diligent Group), to organize the birdcage crafters. But, without any leading and guiding from involved institution, the group was dismissed then.

In marketing the products, they sell it at bird market of Ngasem. Time after time, from mouth to mouth after they have a lot of friends and customers, the birdcage from Bothokan has been known well by public. The most of their products are birdcages special for perkutut (small turtledove), derkuku (singing dove), puter (dove) and piyikan (young bird). They usually sell the cage in unready cage or not painted yet. But, if there is ready birdcage order, they still serve it. The price is various. For a simple birdcage (without accessories), the price ranges Rp 60.000 – Rp 80.000. And for the accessories one, the price ranges Rp 110.000 – Rp 350.000. If you are feeling interested, you can visit the above address, and it is possible for you to immediately watch the birdcage making process.