Basic Research 

• Learning about the historical, cultural, method, and design of Karawo. 
• Social and economic research of communities of Karawo workers. 
• Identifying technical and design issues.  
• Health assessment research of Karawo workers. 

Transdisciplinary Practical Research

Evaluating the TDCOP activities regarding 1) the sustainable development of the traditional manufacturing industry and its successor, 2) the effects of TDCOP on society, 3) the new design development, market development, etc., and 4) the health conditions of Karawo makers.

DECEMBER 2021

1. On 28 December 2021, the Transformative learning through ASGM Video (Indonesian version) was conducted to get the opinions and results obtained for attending the training from Karawo makers. Moreover, they had been acknowledged about upcoming and encouraged in developing Karawo’s quality and design improvements.
2. At the moment, this TDCOP involves eight groups of Karawo manufacturers (for a total of 323 Karawo makers). However, two subgroups within this Karawo group are responsible for the following.
   • Group 1 is tasked with obtaining information from Karawo creators on problems, desires, and hopes. Each group’s leader will be expected to attend meetings on a regular basis. Other members, such as Karawo shop owners, who are not Karawo creators, are not required to attend the meeting.
   • Group 2 is responsible for determining the optimal approach for future Karawo development, including the design/motif, embroiderer, materials (fabric and thread), expected technology, market, and distribution. The Karawo creators are not required to attend meetings in this group.

3. A pilot project for the development of Karawo is planned for the Bone Bolengo region.

JULY 2022

The Bank Indonesia hosted the meeting between Karawo makers, Karawo business women; Researchers from State University of Gorontalo (UNG), Indonesia, and SRIREP Project, Research Institute for Humanity and Nature (RIHN) in order to support the Karawo makers’ livelihood. Karawo makers from Bone bolango and Lombongo/Tulabolo keen to create karawo rather than work for ASGM (Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining). The SRIREP Project utilized the use of Karawo ikat techniques to boost the ability of Karawo makers to create better Karawo goods in order to raise their earnings. The project’s objective is to decrease the poverty problem and pollution concerns associated with the use of mercury in ASGM. The Karawo makers are now getting orders from Japan for goods intended for sale in Japan. The Karawo ikat (Handkerchief and Fan) is being manufactured and will be marketed in Japan, while the Karawo ikat shirts are offered locally.

DECEMBER 2022

A meeting with the leader of the Karawo research group on December 23.

Members of TDCOP discuss a seminar scheduled for March 2023 and the Karawo exhibition scheduled for July 2023. On the same day, SRIREP provided assistance in the form of a five-color yarn for Karawo.

On the 28^th of December, the National Craft Council (Dekranasda) of Gorontalo Province held the opening ceremony for an art gallery.

To further strengthen the role and function of Dekranasda in preserving and developing cultural heritage, fostering and developing craft products, and enhancing the dignity and standard of living of crafters, Dekranasda Gorontalo Province established an Art Gallery for the promotion and marketing of regional craft products, including Karawo products.

The location is on Jalan Tinaloga Desa Toto Utara in Kabila, Bone Bolango.

On the 30th of Dec, Dr. Andi Patiware Metaragakusuma interviewed a Legend of Karawo Making

On this occasion, Dr. Andi Patiware Metaragakusuma conducted an in-depth interview with a Karawo maker related to Karawo, looking directly at Karawo products from the 50s and listening to the history of Karawo from one decade to another.

JANUARY 2023

A Meeting with the head of BKOW, the Women’s Organization Cooperation Board of Province Gorontalo on the 3rd of January. 

Discussing regarding Karawo seminar which will be held in March 2023. It is planned that BKOW will provide the venue and other technical needs for implementing the Karawo seminar.

On the 3^rd of January, a meeting/hearing was held in Kota Tengah, Gorontalo, with members of the Karawo TDCOP group.

Dr. Andi Patkware Metaragakusuma met Karawo producers who make Karawo while awaiting the return of their children from school. Karawo TDCOP groups have attained a level of autonomy; therefore, on this occasion, a brief interview was conducted with each member about the positive changes they experienced after participating in TDCOP.

Dr. Andi Patkware Metaragakusuma visited Karawo Gallery, also known as Karawo Humairah, on January 3rd.

The Japanese fibers can now be utilized. These threads will be used to produce Karawo items that will be displayed in the future. A closer examination of the Karawo product prototypes that will be manufactured for an exhibition in Japan in July 2023.

Karawo School Part 3 convened a meeting on January 5 

Members of the TDCOP group from Suwawa attended Karawo School Part 3 at Gorontalo State University (UNG). Due to the fact that all of its members had no prior experience with Karawo before enrolling in the Karawo School initiated by TDCOP members who had joined at the beginning, a brief interview was conducted with each member regarding the positive changes they experienced after enrolling in Karawo School.

MARCH 2023

Multisectoral Collaboration Workshop for Future Sustainability: Japanese Embroidery and Traditional Karawo Ikat Gorontalo

Future Sustainability Multisectoral Collaboration Workshop: Japanese Embroidery and Traditional Karawo Ikat Gorontalo

The Dharma Women’s Association (DWP), Gorontalo State University (UNG), the SRIREP project, UNG, and the Japan Totsuka Embroidery Association held a two-day multisectoral collaboration workshop at UNG on March 19-20, 2023. Its theme was “Multisectoral Collaboration Workshop for Future Sustainability: Traditional Karawo Ikat Gorontalo and Japanese Embroidery.”

This workshop was officially opened by Mrs. Dr. Yolanda Pateda, M.Pd., Vice Chairman of DWP UNG. In her opening remarks, she stated that this activity is the first to involve a large number of stakeholders, and it is anticipated that it will provide future benefits for the preservation of Karawo culture and the development of Karawo, particularly Karawo ikat.

This workshop aims to introduce participants (a total of 36) to Japanese embroidery, which is then combined with Karawo ikat Gorontalo to produce products that can be accepted not only in the two countries but also internationally.

As this activity is affiliated with the SRIREP project, on the first day, the SRIREP project and its relationship to Karawo were explained. Shimaoka then gave her expertise on Japanese embroidery techniques. On the second day, the participants applied the Japanese embroidery techniques they learned on the first day to the prepared Karawo ikat handkerchiefs. The motifs are determined by each participant’s imagination, resulting in an original collaborative work that belongs to each participant.

It is intended that those who have received the information can impart it to others, beginning with those in their immediate environment.

Dr. dr. Cecy Rahma Karim, Sp.GK, Chairperson of DWP UNG, closed the workshop. In her speech, she stated that DWP UNG remains committed to preserving Karawo ikat as a Gorontalo province embroidery tradition. As a physician, she stated that working on Karawo is very beneficial for brain development, so embroidery can prevent early senility or dementia.

MARCH 2023

1st Multisectoral Collaboration Seminar on Aspiration, Empowerment & Regional Innovation of Gorontalo’s Women for Future Sustainability of Traditional Karawo Ikat Embroidery

The first multisectoral collaboration seminar, a collaboration among 1) the Women’s Organization Cooperation Board (BKOW) of Gorontalo Province, 2) the SRIREP project of the Research Institute for Humanity and Nature (RIHN), 3) the State University of Gorontalo (UNG), and Japan Totsuka Embroidery Association, was held at Gorontalo Palace Convention Center (GPCC) on March 21, 2023. The theme was “1st Multisectoral Collaboration Seminar on Aspiration, Empowerment & Regional Innovation of Gorontalo’s Women for Future Sustainability of Traditional Karawo Ikat Embroidery”.

This seminar was officially opened by dr. Hj Nurindah Rahim, M. Sc., chairman of BKOW. In her opening remarks, she stated that this event is evidence of BKOW’s participation in preserving Gorontalo’s Karawo Ikat embroidery as well as an endeavor to empower women. It is anticipated that women’s empowerment can be expanded in order to strengthen the family’s economy.

Dr. Eduart Wolok, MT, Rector of Gorontalo State University (UNG), gave a speech that encouraged the women to continue developing their innovative concepts for developing Karawo products.

Approximately 125 individuals were present, including representatives from the Mayor of Gorontalo and the Regent of Bone Bolango, as well as representatives from 35 women’s organizations, Karawo makers, Karawo businesses, and Karawo observers. The seminar was also enlivened by a mini-exhibition of MSMEs from Gorontalo.

The seminar consisted of two distinct sessions. The first session featured one speaker, Shimaoka Junko, who discussed world embroidery. Dr. Andi Patkware Metaragakusuma, researcher of the SRIREP Project, RIHN served as moderator. Lailany Yahya discussed the characteristics and uniqueness of Karawo Ikat Gorontalo, and Dr. Andi Patiware Metaragakusuma addressed fashion ethics during the second session. The second session was led by Dr. Yayu Indriati Arifin of UNG.

Before the first session began, the declaration of “Karawo ikat for future sustainability” was marked by raising the Karawo ikat handkerchief as high as the chest. ”

JULY 2023

The first-ever Karawo exhibition in Kyoto, Japan

The SRIREP Project of the Research Institute for Humanity and Nature (RIHN) organized the 1st Karawo exhibition held in Kyoto from July 9th to 11th July 2023 at the Wings Kyoto 1F Gallery Space of the Kyoto Municipal Gender Equality Center (Wings Kyoto). During the three-day exhibition, around 150 Kyoto embroidery enthusiasts visited, and some of them participated in Karawo Ikat training. The participants express their admiration for the astounding and intricate Karawo Ikat techniques, as well as their keen interest in them. As supporting institutions for the exhibitions, the State University of Gorontalo, TOTSUKA Embroidery Association, Art Fiber Endo, and (Shikoku Seiyo Geo Museum, Seiyo City) contributed their human resources and artworks.

JULY 2023

The 2nd Karawo Exhibition held in Seiyo City, Ehime Prefecture, Japan

The SRIREP Project of the Research Institute for Humanity and Nature (RIHN) organized the 1st Karawo exhibition held in Kyoto from July 9th to 11th July 2023 at the Wings Kyoto 1F Gallery

The second exhibition of Karawo was conducted in Seiyo, Ehime Prefecture. From 14 to 16 July 2023, the Shikoku Seiyo Geo Museum in Seiyo City hosted the second Karawo exhibition. Visiting Rector Professor Dr. H. Eduart Wolok, ST, MT, 4th Vice-rector Prof. Karmila Machmud, S.Pd, M.A., Ph.D., and Prof. Dr. Astin Lukum, M.Si, Dean of the Mathematics and Science Faculty attended the exhibition’s first inaugural day.

Mr. Sakakiyama Takumi and Mr. Takahashi Tsukasa of the Shikoku Seiyo Geo Museum welcome the State University of Gorontalo (UNG) guests.

Recently, the SRIREP Project of the Research Institute for Humanity and Nature (RIHN) organized two Karawo exhibitions with the assistance of supporting institutions: the State University of Gorontalo, TOTSUKA Embroidery Association, Art Fiber Endo, and (Shikoku Seiyo Geo Museum, Seiyo City) contributed human resources and artworks for the exhibitions in Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture, and Seiyo City, Ehime Prefecture, Japan in July 2023.

Pamphlets are available to download in two different language versions.