By The 17s, The Areca Tree Seller Did Not Have Much Hope, The Important Thing Is That Someone Buys It

Illustration. (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - A number of areca tree sellers on Jalan Manggarai Utara, Tebet, South Jakarta, hope that the commemoration of the 75th Anniversary of Indonesian Independence which took place amid the COVID-19 pandemic will still be celebrated by the people of DKI Jakarta.

This hope was conveyed by Arifin (58), one of the bamboo craftsmen in Manggarai, who is now also selling areca trees for areca climbing competitions.

"Hope is slim, now there is COVID-19, but this year we don't have high hopes. The important thing is that someone will buy it," said Arifin as quoted by Antara, Tuesday, August 11.

According to Arifin, making areca trees for areca climbing has become a seasonal job every August. He admitted that something was missing or lacking if he didn't make and provide areca trees during Agustusan.

"Yes, there is something missing, it's like eating vegetables without salt," he said.

Almost every year in August, Arifin and a number of bamboo craftsmen in the area provide areca trees for areca climbing. It has been started since 1990.

There are only three bamboo craftsmen on Jalan Manggarai Utara 2 who still survive every year to make and provide areca trees, namely Arifin and two of his colleagues Ustadz Kusnadi and Iis.

The three of them sell in one location, only separated from one another with a distance of about 5 to 10 meters. This year, Arifin and two other bamboo craftsmen have teamed up to buy areca trees from middlemen in the Rangkasbitung area, Banten.

"Usually last year we ordered each, because the demand is quite a lot. This year we are helping, buying joint venture," said Arifin.

Although he does not have high hopes for the betel tree to be bought by customers, Arifin believes that someone will buy one or two people so that they can return their investment.

One betel nut tree that has been shaved and sanded and given a circle that functions to hang a prize is valued at Rp1 million per stem. This price does not include shipping costs.

"If the price has not changed from the past, the range is Rp1 million per stick," said the man from Cibinong.

Even though climbing areca is not possible during the COVID-19 pandemic, he hopes that the areca tree will still be bought by the community for other competitions.

"It's not only for climbing areca nut, it can also be for hitting pillows, there are only two participants, not as many as climbing areca," said Arifin.

In addition, Arifin also hopes that other traditional games will emerge during the COVID-19 pandemic that use areca trees, such as running competitions on top of areca trees in the East Flood Kanal (BKT).

"Yes, we sell who knows someone needs it, indeed there is COVID-19, we shouldn't get together, but who knows if there is an area that is safe from COVID-19, it can compete in the Agustusan competition," said Arifin hopefully.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, seven days before the Independence Day of the Republic of Indonesia, the areca tree seller had received orders from various buyers. However, this year until the D-5, no orders have come from either customers or impromptu buyers.