our limitations can’t make me become surrender

Mandiri Craft is one of the famous toy manufacturing industry at Bantul. It is located on Parangtritis Street KM 6,5 Cabean Sewon, Bantul, Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Its produts have been exported to European countries, especially Australia, Germany and also to the Asian region countries.


There is a special part from this business, that is its background. The background is so unique, for example when we see the workers, we will be surprised by the clasification of them. They are clasified by ‘difable’ (different ability people) community. Most of them are suffering since they gave birth, but some of them are caused by an accident and natural disaster (Yogyakarta, earthquake May 27, 2006). The earthquake caused many people death and injured. They, who still alive are suffering from disabilities, such as do not have legs and they have to use buffer to support their body. And the only thing that can be used to work is just their hands.


Although they have disabilities that makes their work are so limited, they want to show to us that disabilitis does not change their spirit to be a hard-worker. Their identity shows their self-confidence and it does not mean that they can not help each other. In contrast, their spirit make them so strong, strong and strong.

Also published in :
Fotokita National Geographic Indonesia and ViiPhoto

Tradisi Grebeg Syawal

Grebeg is one form of the existing tradition in Javanese society. In Yogyakarta, known as areas that still upholds the traditions and culture of Java, Grebeg has become an annual agenda of its own in the life of society. The main purpose Grebeg namely as a form of gratitude to God Almighty for what He has been given to us.



Grebeg only held three times a year. First, when the Mawlid of Prophet Muhammad SAW as the end of the party of the people, Sekaten, called Grebeg Mulud. Secondly when entering Shawwaal, referred to as Grebeg Ramadhan. And third, on 10 Dhu al-Hijjah, or the Big 10, which is known as Grebeg Besar.Arak Grebeg procession in this case usually starts from Grebeg Syawal Yogyakarta palace yard toward the plaza north and ends on page Masjid Gede Yogyakarta. In Grebeg there is something peculiar, namely the mountains. The mountain can contain the results of the earth, food, and so forth. Entering the front of the mosque is big, the mountains and then prayed. Once completed, it is awaited by society 'arrived. Ie, scramble the contents of these mountains, in Javanese term that is "ngalap berkah" which more or less in the Indonesian language means getting / looking for blessed. For certain people, the Javanese in particular, if we can reach / get the contents of the mountains are so supposedly we will get blessed. So normal that in every process "ngalap berkah" each person were all fighting to get the content in these mountains.

Shawwal Grebeg held on September 21, 2009 too. hundred of people crowded the route of the procession Grebeg Syawal. Both local and foreign tourists or the people of Yogyakarta itself. And the show presents something Grebeg always interesting to be seen and interpreted. That we as a people, need to be grateful that God has given us. Sigid Kurniawan