19 August 2024
Syafrijal S.Kom
In an effort to develop local wisdom, especially improving women's skills and economic development, the Research and Community Service Team of the University of North Sumatra (LPPM USU) on June 10-13, 2024 carried out community service (Abdimas) related to the empowerment of pandan craftsmen to improve the economy of women in Kecupak II Village, Pergetteng Getteng Sengkut District (PGGS) Pakpak Bharat Regency.
The Abdimas was considered interesting for several reasons. First, the number of women who are interested in weaving crafts is very rare, even though in the past it was an obligation for every Pakpak woman to be considered mature and ready to marry. Second, the results of crafts made from pandan are still needed by the wider community for the needs of traditional ceremonial equipment. For these needs, residents are forced to buy from outside the village, even from outside the district, especially from Aceh Singkil. Third, from an economic perspective, the results of pandan craft products are quite promising to increase family income, especially for women. Fourth, the natural resources are also very abundant because the basic materials are quite abundant in the forest and are easy to cultivate because they grow easily and do not require intensive care.
For these four reasons, Community Service is considered important and beneficial.
The community service activity is funded by LPPM USU. According to the amount of funds received, the team can only facilitate training for 4 days with details of 1 (one) trainer, 6 (six) training participants and 1 (one) supervisor from the village apparatus. The six participants in the future are expected to become the seeds of interest in growing and developing young women to be active in developing weaving crafts in the village in particular and in Pakpak Bharat Regency in general.
Community Service is carried out by LPPM USU in collaboration with the Kecupak II Village government, Pakpak Bharat Regency. To further increase the echo of the community service activity, the team and village government also invited other parties, including the Tourism and Culture Office, Sub-district Head, DPRD, community leaders and the Head of Sulang Silima Marga Manik.
They were given the opportunity to provide opinions and suggestions and input for the sustainability of community service activities in the future.
The Community Service activity began with a joint discussion (FGD) and after the joint discussion was continued with training guided by 1 (one) trainer for 4 (four) consecutive days.
In the discussion activity (FGD) began with a presentation from Drs Lister Berutu MA as the head of the community service team followed by Dra. Nita Savitri, M.Si as a representative of the team members. As the team leader, Lister Berutu introduced all team members including the students involved. Continued with a presentation on the main duties of a lecturer at a University regarding the Tri Dharma of Higher Education, one of which is to carry out community service.
Then continued with the reasons for choosing to develop pandan weaving crafts in Kecupak II village. The reason is because pandan crafts have great potential to be developed because the human and natural resources are very supportive so that they can increase family income.
After the chairman continued with Nita Savitri's presentation. It was stated that women must be independent, at least to meet personal needs such as make-up, soap, and other needs without having to depend on their husbands.
The community service team invited women and mothers in Kecupak II village to start actively developing pandan crafts because the potential of pandan craftsmen is very high. Craftsmen can create pandan weaving into goods that sell well in the general market, such as handbags, laptop bags, and hats.
In addition, the needs for traditional ceremonies in the village and in the district can be met and there is no need to buy from outside.
After the presentation from the team, a discussion was continued and each participant gave their opinions randomly and freely. In essence, all participants responded positively, both from village officials, sub-district heads, the Tourism Office and members of the DPRD who were present. One very important agreement was the formation of a standard management of the craftsman team named: NGKASAH MEMBAYU which means Diligent in weaving.
The management consists of: Chairperson: Sepakat br Padang, Secretary Kasidah br Berutu and Treasurer Resti br Manik. The village secretary then makes a Decree and the Decree is equipped with sections.
The establishment of the Ngkasak Membayu studio received support from the representative of the Pakpak Bharat DPRD member Sabar Manik. He was very determined because Nita Savitri as a Minang tribe loves Pakpak culture. He appealed to the management to always be active and motivated in activities. As a member of the DPRD, Sabar Manik promised to fight for a budget that could be allocated to the Ngkasak Membayu studio.
The same thing was expressed by the Head of Sulang Silima Marga Manik, Wilson Manik, he really appreciated
