Gabusan Market, Handicraft Paradise in Bantul

There is another way to enjoy art works of Bantul people without having to wander about villages that produce them, namely by visiting Gabusan Art Market. The market that is located on Jalan Parangtritis km 9 has been the center of handicrafts trading for the last 2 years. Other facilities such as cafeterias, information technology access and groceries are there for you, too.

Gabusan was designed to open access for craftsmen to international market. For the reason, the design of the market accommodating around 444 craftsmen is of international standard. The design of the market was done by both domestic and foreign architects by, of course, accentuating local architecture. Divided into 16 stalls, Gabusan sells handicrafts of various raw materials, ranging from leather, metals, wood, clay to water hyacinth.

Arriving at the area of Gabusan market, you will be greeted by an interestingly designed gate. On the gate, there are restaurant, crossing bridge and ramp. Having your meals in that restaurant, you will be able to see the entire market from the top view. Close to the area, there is a shop as an information center as well as the place for visitors to get their stuff. This shop is designed so artistically that it has its own interest.

Entering the first stall, you will enjoy bag handicraft made from rattan. Neat woven of the bag gives durable image and combination of the cloth and accessories gives meaningful added value. Various unique, elegant designs produce multifunctional bags for multi purposes. Other handicraft that is available in that stall is a box made from woven bamboo. Despite its simple design and function, the box still looks unique in various bright colors.

If you want to buy candle stands for your guest rooms, you will find them in stall eight. Many types of candle stands from different materials are available. There is a candle container forming like a small, brown bowl with string decoration around it. Another candle stand is made from bamboo some part of which sides are split to make stands with string ornaments on them. In addition to functioning as stand for the glowing candle, the beautiful design of it will attract your guests in your guest room.

Still related to home decorations, you will find interesting masks of various designs in stall six. Some leather masks are carved beautifully in enchanting colors. If you like artificial flowers included the vases, you will get them in stall thirteen. The vases are made of wood or clay with special ornaments of the surfaces. Plain vases without ornaments are not less interesting as well.

Small functional items with artistic designs give valuable added value for you and your family. A standard photo frame, for example, is designed so beautifully with special ornament such as dragon. Pencil case is also available in different variations. There is a pencil case in the form of a sitting man with his white hair as the ornament and the pencil holes are in the front part. Many other items are beautifully designed by the people in Bantul area such as tray in various enchanting designs.

The information center will help to find any kinds of product that you can find in the market. Details of products, prices, location of the stall where you are going to put your orders are all available there. Connected to Internet network, this information center indicates that you can put your order on line. Gradually, this market will accommodate 8,015 handicraft units. The earthquake on 27 May 2006 hit this market mildly but it is being recovered now.

Text: Yunanto Wiji Utomo
Photo & Artistic: Sutrisno