cirebon cultural tourism 
The diversity of natural resources in Indonesia is very abundant. One of the natural resource commodities that grow in tropical rainforest areas is rattan. That’s why many Indonesian people, especially Cirebon, have built the rattan industry.
The rattan plant is a type of vine palm plant that can grow to a length of more than 100 meters. Industrial applications primarily rely on a limited range of rattan varieties. Some of the most commonly traded are Manau, Batang, Tohiti, Mandola, Tabu-Tabu, Suti, Sega, Lambang, Blubuk, Jawa, Pahit, Kubu, Lacak, Slimit, Cacing, Semambu, and Pulut.
In ancient times, Indonesian people used rattan to make various daily needs such as household appliances and even to make weapons.
With the passage of time, rattan handicrafts are increasingly developing and the craftsmen began to make a variety of more decorative products, such as furniture, wall hangings, and fashion accessories. Indonesian rattan industry has gained worldwide recognition and exports its products to various countries.
Indonesia is the largest rattan producing country in the world, producing an estimated 80% of the rattan raw materials globally. Other Asian countries, including the Philippines and Vietnam, contribute the remaining 20% of global rattan production.
Cirebon’s Rattan Industry
The rattan industry is mostly located in Cirebon and its surroundings. Cirebon is one of the areas that has the largest rattan production value in Indonesia. In Cirebon Regency, Indonesia, part of the rattan industry is known for processing raw materials into furniture. One of the villages in Cirebon known for its rattan handicrafts is Tegalwangi Village, Weru, Cirebon, West Java.
Cirebon’s rattan industry crafts not only use local raw materials but also from all over Indonesia. These rattan handicraft products have been successfully exported to various countries in the world, including Asia, America, Africa and Europe.
Cirebon is famous for its rattan industry because it has many rattan craftsmen since the Dutch colonial era. Cirebon does have many rattan craftsmen who are able to transform rattan vegetable materials into very beautiful home furniture. But uniquely, Cirebon only has human resources capable of processing rattan into high-value goods, but does not have sufficient natural resources to produce rattan
Written by Adil Sabilarohman
