Anna Mariana re-provide educational materials in the election of Abang and None Jakarta Selatan (Abnon Jaksel) 2018, on April 26 at South Jakarta City Hall. "As usual, I gave materials to educate participants about Betawi Weaving and Songket," Anna Mariana said.
Anna mentioned the purpose of holding this Abnon election, in addition to welcoming the 491 year anniversary of DKI Jakarta, also to preserve Betawi cultures that are rarely known, one of them is about Weaving and Songket.
"Especially so far in the wastra art in Betawi (Jakarta), only known batik. While weaving and Songket newly moved back in 2016, after I created their own Weaving and Songket with typical motifs of Betawi, among others ondel-ondel, coconut flower, balang teeth, and others!” she added.
According to Anna, the 2018 Abnon election is also aimed at developing talent in young people in South Jakarta.
"In the future, they will accompany DKI officials at every event, Abang None will become tourism ambassadors and support Betawi cultures," said Anna while mentioning the use of English is also a must for the 2018 Abnon finalists.
"In the semi-finals, in the interview session with the jury, my finalists are obliged to convey their mission and vision in English," Anna said.
As a tourism ambassador, in addition to mastering English, Abnon participants 2018 also need to know the world of fashion and the growing of Betawi fashion mode in Jakarta.
"Right now, Betawi not only has Batik, but also Weaving and Songket that I created in the past two years. I am developing a traditional handmade product, which is part of our ancestral heritage, which we must continue to keep!” Anna Mariana said.
Anna said, the goal in creating and developing this Betawi Weaving and Songket, also to keep the hope that the world of fashion and Betawi mode can be better developed just as in other weaving and songket regions in the archipelago. "I hope these products can even continue to compete in international fashion arena in foreign countries!"
In the international fashion world, Weaving and Songket are well known, just as they know Batik. Evidently, Anna admitted, she received many invitations to hold a special fashion show, promoting weaving and songket at the end of 2018 and early 2019.
"The invitation is also to give awards and direct recognition that Weaving and Songket as culture belongs to Indonesia!" Anna said. "If in the world of fashion weaving and Songket has been recognized, there is no reason for Indonesia to not recognize its existence!" said Anna, who continues to struggle to create Weaving and Songket Day, that can be celebrated every year. ***