Name: Totong & Iyus

Location:Bantargebang, Ciranjang District, Cianjur Regency

Specialist materials:Bamboo

Products:Chair, Table

Bamboo craft products from the people of Desa Bantargebang have been widely known by surrounding communities in Cianjur and surrounding areas. The bamboo handicrafts artisans in the area have been practicing since 1995 until present. The village community obtained their expertise in bamboo crafts making through a relative of one of the craftsmen, Mr. Totong. Mr. Totong's relative, who came from Sukabumi, brought his handmade bamboo craft in the form of a shoe rack. Soon after that, Mr. Totong began to learn how to make handicrafts from bamboo while starting to work in a bamboo studio in Cianjur. From there, Mr. Totong learned how to make a bamboo chair with rattan ties. After working in a bamboo studio, he felt that he had sufficient fundamental knowledge and started to make his own bamboo products. In the present day, almost eighty percent of Bantargebang villagers produce bamboo handicrafts.

Black or white bamboos and nails are the materials utilized in making bamboo crafts. Bamboo material is usually obtained by craftsmen from material shops in the South Cianjur and Sukabumi areas. Currently, black bamboo is in higher demand by the customers since the color is perceived as more pleasing to the eye than white bamboo. During the production process, the production waste is directly burned in the incinerator. However, sometimes there is still a small amount of waste left that can be transformed into other products such as glass and ashtrays, but these products are not meant for trade.

Benches, “Bale” and tables are products made and sold by Bantargebang craftsmen. They sell the products by bearing them on their shoulder directly from their homes to the areas of Cipatat, Ciburuy and Jonggol, or they can be taken by car first and further carried on their shoulders to customers' houses. Sales are made online, but they only accept orders located around Cianjur because they consider the risk of damage during long-distance shipment.

Bantargebang village is surrounded by beautiful sceneries, which makes it a potential tourist destination. Therefore, Mr. Totong and several other residents transformed the village into an edutourism village with the name 'Kampoeng Bamboe Istambul'. Since the operation of edutourism system, the craftsmen have been positively impacted, as the village has become more well-known and brought in more buyers. While traveling, tourists buy bamboo handicrafts directly from the production place. This gives the local community a sense of pride of their place as well as raising awareness to protect the village environment.