MANDING, a Center of Leather Industries Village
Category : Alternative Tourism

Manding Village is a region southern Jogja, about 11 kilometers from city center. It isn't difficult to find, because located on the main streets. Only need to pass Parangtritis Street, continued to the south until pass through 2 traffic lights then turn towards to the west. And welcome to ''Sentra Industri Kulit Manding''

Manding Village is already known as center of leather industries since 1957. Started in 1947 three young man want to develop Manding, from a war zone become a better region. They tried to innovate and found how to make a belt from leather. And unexpected, many people liked their product. Since that time Manding produces more stuffs from leathers and famous as central leather industries.

Before 2000, the craft dominated many markets crafts, especially at Beringharjo Market, Prambanan Temple and Borobudur Temple. The craftsmen distributed their products to the place. Manding Leather Industries Center has lots showrooms, belong to each craftsman. You can easily find many leather products.

There are 47 showroom lined up along the road. Many various kinds of leather stuffs is displayed, such as shoes, bags, jackets, and belts. You can choose the price, from thousands until hundreds thousand rupiahs. It's depending from the material what they used. Usually the craftsman use materials from cowhide, buffaloes, horses, or goats. Not only leather, they develop and produce other handicrafts that made from water hyacinth or natural fiber. The innovative design is needed because they get many requests from customer to make other handicrafts. If you are less suitable with existing models, you can directly order to the craftsman. But it take longer time and more expensive, because all of the process will be home made.

Everyday many tourists looking in and walking from one showroom to others, both domestics or foreigners. Especially at holiday, there will be more tourists who stopped by or purchased as souvenirs. Usually they're come by group. They will be looked to get the cheaper price and the best models from the stuff.  The showroom is open everyday from 09.00 am to 09.00 pm.

For you who come not only for shopping, you can go to the workshop. The craftsman will teach you to make a simple craft product.

Teks : Placidia Ratih
Photo : Stevan Mandagi

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