Leather crafts from Sukaregang, Garut, are famous everywhere. Leather crafts, such as leather jackets, are souvenirs that are favored by many tourists who visit this city nicknamed Switzerland van Java.
Recently, the leather craft industry in Sukaregang entered a new era after the central government established a joint production house for leather craft products located in a building formerly known as the PKL Building, on Jalan Guntur, Garut Kota District.
This place was recently inaugurated by the Indonesian Minister of Cooperatives and SMEs, Teten Masduki, and is intended as a production center and forum for micro craftsmen to carry out research and development of their products.
Long before the existence of this joint production house, leather crafts from Garut were famous everywhere. From within the country to several countries in Europe, we have seen or felt the products.
In the last two years alone. The Garut Regency Government brought flying leather crafts to Italy following the Lineapelle Festival The International Leather Fair twice, and a fashion event in the United States once.
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This is not without reason. Because, apart from its appearance which is considered equivalent to processed leather products from abroad, leather craft products from Garut also have quality that is no less good.
The production of leather crafts from Sukaregang is said to have existed since the Dutch era. So, what is the actual history of the development of the Garut leather craft industry?
Before discussing this famous leather craft, let’s first discuss Sukaregang, the area which is the center for the production of this animal leather craft. Sukaregang is an area in Garut City District. Administratively, Sukaregang falls under the authority of Kota Wetan Subdistrict.
The location is close to the Suci area, which is said to have been the capital of Garut, after the re-establishment of Limbangan Regency which was dissolved in the 1800s.
Talking about leather crafts from Sukaregang, detikJabar had the opportunity to chat with Haji Nadiman. A community figure, as well as one of the most famous leather craft entrepreneurs in Sukaregang recently.
According to Nadiman, the history of leather craft production, which is now the livelihood of the majority of Sukaregang residents, dates back to the Dutch era. To be precise, from around 1930.
“In Sukaregang it has been around since the Dutch era. I am the third generation,” said Nadiman.
There are various historical versions of this leather craft from Sukaregang. One of them, news stated that a leather jacket from Sukaregang was worn by a pilot during the Second World War.
However, said Nadiman, based on the stories of his ancestors, the history of leather crafts from Sukaregang began when the people there made the insoles or inners of tarumpah sandals, which at that time were widely used by Dutch menak.
As time progressed, the people of Sukaregang, thanks to their skills, were able to make saddles for riding horses, bicycle seats and various other items, including drums.
“In the past (tanning) was still traditional by stepping on it. Now we use machines,” said Nadiman.
Sheep and cow skins have long been known to be the basic materials for crafts made by people in Sukaregang. Sukaregang’s geographical location is close to the river, making it easy for them to turn animal skins into raw materials, which are then processed into crafts.
The development of the leather craft industry in Sukaregang then experienced rapid development around 1960-1980. At that time, craftsmen who were starting to mushroom opened shops, which were then coordinated by the Sukaregang Task Implementation Unit (UPT) which was established by the government.
“Well, only from the 80s did shoes and jackets start to develop into what they are now,” concluded Nadiman.
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Leather crafts from Sukaregang are now developing and becoming one of the most popular souvenirs for tourists visiting Garut. Because, apart from having decent quality, leather crafts from Sukaregang are also not too expensive.
Even though it is now known throughout the country and abroad, the Garut leather jacket industry still has a lot of work to do. One of them is waste from leather processing, which is considered to still pollute the environment because it uses a lot of chemicals.
Apart from that, the Indonesian Coordinating Minister for UKM, Teten Masduki, during his recent visit to Garut, also highlighted the quality of leather craft products from Sukaregang, which according to him still needs to be improved to be able to compete in the national market.
“Because so far it is still produced using simple tools. It is not good. (a joint production house was created). The aim is to improve downstream leather products in Garut, so that quality can be improved,” said Teten.
source: https://www.detik.com/jabar/berita/d-7213747/kerajinan-kulit-garut-dari-terompah-belanda-ningrat-jaket-pilot-pd-ii.