Market with bamboo currency

Generally, the market in Indonesia uses the rupiah as a exchange or sale transaction. But there is a traditional market that has a unique tradition of using bamboo currency as a transaction tool.

The unique market phenomenon is in Papringan Market in Indonesia commonly referred as "Pasar Papringan". A traditional market located in Caruban Village, Kandangan District, Temanggung Regency, Central Java. Called as Papringan Market because the market location is located in the bamboo forest area is very dense bush.

Papringan market is not open every day. As a market attached to the culture of society, the market is only open every 35 days, precisely every Sunday wage, a matter of days in the Javanese calendar often called selapanan.

Most unique is the currency used as a transaction. Visitors are not allowed to use regular money to buy. The market has its own currency called pring, the Java language which means bamboo.

Pring currency is made specifically from coin-shaped wood. Two sides of the coin have a difference, ie one side branded Papringan Market and the other side inscribed the value of the currency. Nominal money from 1 pring, 2 pring, 10 pring, and 50 pring. If quoted, one pring equals Rp1,000. Every visitor who wants to shop must first exchange rupiah with special currency.

Processed foods

Interestingly again, one hundred percent of traders in the market is a native of Caruban Village. The purpose of market development is to empower the economic potential of the surrounding community.

In addition to selling goods, usually residents trade a variety of processed foods typical of harvested in the village. Among other things, snacks such as glanggem, srowol, lentheng, mendut, gemblong, grubi, jenang, steamed kimpul, nuts, until pecel rice and porridge. There is also young coconut ice, various kinds of coffee, and kefir or beverage from pure milk fermentation.

Although relatively new, the newly opened market premiered on January 11, 2016 is now crowded thousands of visitors. Residents even come from various outside of Temanggung District.

Economic empowerment

Singgih Susilo Kartono (48 years old) is the originator of this unique rare nan market. Male graduate of Product Design at Bandung Institute of Technology explained that the establishment of the market started from anxiety to empower the local people.

"Initially, it was not easy to realize this, but I was so sad about it ten years ago that I was sad to see that my productive villagers are just plotting their fate to the city, whereas the village should be the center of economic activity," Singgih said recently.

For the land used as a market location, Singgih claimed to have rented Papringan area in Caruban from residents. Land area of ​​1000 square meters was then cleaned, made the way from the arrangement of stones, to look like a beautiful garden.

The next job is to find market fillers. He meets people from house to house and offers them to sell.

"That's where it's hard, I have to convince the citizens. The first event to sell only 15 people. But I managed to bring in buyers. It turns out crowded, although the promotion is only through social media, "said the father of two sons.

The concept of village revitalization and the trip of Pasar Papringan initiated by Singgih made the Governor of Central Java, Ganjar Pranowo, who came to the location was amazed. He also agreed when Singgih asked for help to make Caruban Village self-sufficient independent village.

"The requirement of independent villages is self-sufficient: the village must be self-sufficient in food and energy self-sufficient. I think Caruban has great potential. Even this model can be applied in other areas, "said the Governor.