Mosaic of Archipelago presents information as follows: Ngawi residents discover ancient elephant ivory fossil; hydroponic plant is for Citarum river preservation; and songket-embroidery mix is displayed in Revealed Minangkabau.
Residents of Pelang Lor village, Kedunggalar district, Ngawi regency, East Java discovered fossilized ancient elephant’s ivory. According to Suyatno – a resident of Pelang Lor, the fossil was discovered when the people were digging land for septic tank on Monday (3/12). The ancient ivory fossil is predicted to be 120 centimeters long with 10 centimeter diameter. Sangiran Museum official, Juwita Nugraha who came to the location confirmed that it was really ancient elephant ivory fossil. More precisely, it came from a predictably 700 thousand years old Stegodon. The fossil is brought to Trinil Museum in Ngawi for conservation and further research.
Next information is hydroponic plants for Citarum River preservation. Academicians of Mercu Buana University introduced hydroponic plantation for Citarum River preservation. Head of Mercu Buana’s Community Service, Inge Hutagalung in a written statement received by Antara News Agency in Jakarta on Monday said that the introduction is aimed to make people more aware on the importance of preserving the ecosystem. Greening can function as environment’s regulator and protector. Hydroponic itself is planting without soil which prioritizes mix of water and nutrition as medium.
Last information of Mosaic of Archipelago is Songket-Embroidery mix displayed in Revealed Minangkabau. Nusantara Marandang Festival held in Jakarta on Sunday, besides delicious cuisine of Minangkabau, also presented arts and culture exhibition, including fashion. Two Minang designers: Emi Arlin and Rona Rahayu Yunus exhibited their works. Fashion show dubbed “Revealed Minangkabau” focused on two most prominent textile of West Sumatera: songket and embroidery. They assimilate Minangkabau fashion heritage with more courageous and modern concept. Erni on Monday said, songket and embroidery which previously were identical to customs, are now presented aesthetically and suitably for modern women.
Rona added that since hundreds of years ago, songket and embroidery have been inseparable part of Minangkabau culture. Meanwhile, West Sumatra Chapter National Handicraft Council Chairman, Nevi Zuairina stated their support for creative people who want to bring Minangkabau culture forward. She said, fashion is one of important industries in Indonesian creative industry development which contributes 30 percent of the whole creative industry sector to the national gross domestic product.