Increase in mask production for Prophet Muhammad's birthday

It used to mask the paper had triumphed. Especially when Maulud Prophet Muhammad came, however, mask-makers do not have time to sleep due to overflow of orders. But now the masks are apparently no longer in demand. Even Matdjadi, one of a handful of paper mask makers are the last generation in his family who continue this effort. Because of her three sons no longer willing to continue.

50-year-old man is still very healthy and fit. Everyday he was hawking T-shirts that read 'I Love Surabaya' in front of Surabaya Zoo (KBS). Previously he was peddling homemade paper masks, but now it seems not many people who are interested in buying. Even so, he did not cease to be craftsmen paper mask. Because the science of the craft is derived from his own father's hand.

"Once my dad and everyone in the village this Girilaya make paper masks," he said firmly tells the past. Indeed Girilaya Gang seven former industrial sites household paper mask. But with the growth in time much to give up and change professions. Now in this alley only two people who make paper masks.

Starting four months ahead of Maulud Prophet Muhammad, already busy with orders Matdjadi masks from different regions both within or outside the island of Java. "This year the number of orders is still stable compared to last year. There are two thousand orders a mask this year, "said the father of three children. A total of these orders, Matdjadi conjunct only three of the brothers alone.

All of these orders he was doing overtime day and night without stopping. At home he made 17 of this impromptu mask factory. All the animals he remove the mask mold. Moulds are made of cement even this he made himself. Indeed, for making paper masks not as easy as expected, since it takes a fairly high sense of art.

Cement is made from a mold for a mask. The trick is actually quite easy because the material is easy to find. To create a paper mask is required only waste paper that is white paper and paper folders. It also glues and paints to color the metal. Initially cement mold is covered with white paper. The way it just stayed glued by hand exactly the entire palm of the hand. To make this mask does not need to fear dirty as it furnishes the glue should be as much as possible until the entire surface of the paper gets wet and glued. Only then coated with a piece of paper that is thicker folder. For the last layer of paper coated with white residence.

In total there are three layers to mask this. After the mask so that linger in the mold should be dried first until completely dry. Only when dry can be colored with paint and shaped to fit his character. Matdjadi now have more creative by creating 21 types of animal masks. "Once my father just make elephants and tigers have masks that are used for the celebration of Maulud Prophet. But now my creation figures liked by children on television like the black knight armor, teletubies and others, "said Matdjadi.

In applying the paint was not arbitrary because it requires a sense of high art. The forms of these animals should be obvious. As head of the dragon that he has made is really like a real dragon. The color part of his head was so bright tone with red, yellow and green are lit. The eye was added to sharpen the black dots. Was added at the mouth of the tongue is split lengthwise at the end. Not to mention that lined and pointy teeth adorn the mouth.

To capital is quite cheap because the material slightly. The most expensive is a white paper which had cost Rp.2000 per kilogram. As for the glue he made himself from wheat starch. Because already proficient create a mask, in a day and night to make 70 masks Matdjadi without stopping. If you have ahead of Maulud Prophet like this he could not sell t-shirts again. While home alone to complete the order.

Even a house filled with two thousand masks Matdjadi that accumulate from the terrace to the kitchen. There mask elephant, tiger, dragon, bull, dog and many more. Although his body was tired and needed rest after days of overtime he continued to receive news seekers hunting mask makers busy. Preached to him the media is one way of maintaining the tradition of his family who lived with a paper mask.

Sitting on the bench since elementary school (SD), Matdjadi already made a mask to help his father. All science makes this mask he got from his father only saw activity. Even if no hot sun, the father no wits. "Once he made his own by placing an open zinc around the fire. And on top of this simple open-aligned masks to dry quickly. This way I still do to this day especially when the rainy season like this," he said.

But two thousand orders this is nothing compared to his father's orders first. Formerly almost every night knock on the door of the home buyer. They come every day and ordered in large quantities. "First order of up to tens of thousands," he said. Hence all the family down a helping hand. But now the children do not do the same thing. This is because they are older and already have a job outside.

Moreover, children of today are no longer willing to continue to make a mask like this. "So if I will have none, nor was there a successor to make paper masks anymore," he said with a sad expression. Moreover, now even this mask is just for toys sold in times of Maulud Prophet. If not approached the Prophet Maulud no one glance. That's why Matdjadi choose to sell t-shirts and just make a mask if there are orders. Orders can even this form of everything from Buddhist masks, cartoon characters or masks to dance.