The Struggle of Traditional Stove Craftsmen in Blora Like Ancient Humans Living in Underground Caves, Digging Stones to Make a Living

Dream - A viral video shows the struggle of stone miners for the making of traditional Javanese stoves.

The video, uploaded by YouTuber Sahabat Al Arif Blora, was recorded in Blora, Central Java. Specifically in Dukuh Ningalan, Ngrawu Village, Kedung Tuban District.

Initially, we were invited to see the shape of traditional stoves made of wood fuel sold on the village roadside.

From its shape when stacked, this stove is more similar to domino cards with holes on its surface.

These holes are the places to put cooking utensils, while the firewood is inserted from below through the hollow in the side of the stove.

According to the boss who stacked these stoves, the price of one stove is IDR 30,000. Much cheaper than buying a gas or kerosene stove.

Arif then took the viewers to the location of the stone mine for making stoves located in the interior of Dukuh Ningalan.

To reach the mining area, Arif had to go through a narrow village road that can only be passed by four-wheeled vehicles.

Initially, the road to the stone mine for making stoves in Dukuh Ningalan was made of uneven paving.

However, as we went further into the village, the paving road disappeared and was replaced by soil. Now, the road to the mine is just a footpath.

In addition, the houses of the residents are no longer visible. Surrounding the footpath, there is only a teak forest.

After wandering around the footpath, Arif finally arrived at the location of the stone mine for making stoves.

It turns out that the mining location is inside an underground cave. This is the view of the cave entrance called Goa Pawon by the local residents.

Shortly after, a tall young man came out of the cave carrying a large beam on his back. The large beam turned out to be a stove.

Climbing a steep and steep road, the young man carried the stove and placed it not far from the entrance of Goa Pawon.

After placing and arranging the stove beams that have holes on their surfaces, the young man went back into the cave to take the next stove.

Apparently, the profession of making stoves is carried out by the residents of Dukuh Ningalan in between working in the fields.

Arif was interested in entering Goa Pawon to witness the process of making these traditional stoves.

Initially around the cave entrance, the atmosphere is still a little bright because of the sunlight from outside. But as we go deeper, the condition of the underground cave becomes darker.

Not only that, Goa Pawon also feels damp and the path is muddy and filled with water. Arif felt a little shortness of breath while inside Goa Pawon.

In the darkness of Goa Pawon, the young man cleaned the traditional stoves before lifting them one by one out of the cave.

Arif then heard another person's voice in the cave. It turns out that there is someone who is tasked with making stoves inside the cave.

Because he couldn't stand being in the narrow, dark, and damp cave for too long, Arif decided to come out.

A worker who was in charge of tidying up the stoves outside the cave revealed that the price of their craftsmanship is sold for IDR 10,000 to IDR 20,000.

But after being sent to the collector at the entrance of the village, the price of these stoves increased to IDR 30,000.

Arif considers the struggle of these ancient human-like stove craftsmen is not worth the risks they face during the manufacturing process.

These traditional stove craftsmen do not wear safety equipment such as oxygen tanks even though they stay in the cave for a long time almost every day.

In addition, these stove craftsmen are also at risk of being buried alive if the cave where they work collapses.

Source: YouTube