Melambai lambai… Nyiur di pantai… Berbisik bisik… Raja Kelana…
Nia S. Amira
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Thus, this is the beautiful lyrics of a song titled as “Rayuan Pulau Kelapa†created by Ismail Marzuki. 2/3 of Indonesia width or about 480.647 kilometers is maritime and since long time, the Indonesian ancestors have been known as an pioneer in the midÂdle of the ocean, dividing the sea crossing the continent. And when return to the homeland bringing million of souvenirs and welfare for family. Several months in a sea then reunite with the family is a moment loaded with valÂue of togetherness.
Part of Arecaceae family, species of Cocos genus. Coconut tree is similar to a palm tree with a straight trunk that is much more verÂsatile and having important function since prehistoric period. Every part of the coconut tree has benefits for humans so it is referred to as the Tree of Life.
Together with his oldest boy, a father cut down a coconut tree and made the sky tower trunks with high density as the pillars supÂporting the house, making windows, doors, even the house’s floor. Coconut tree with meÂdium density used to make the walls, ceilings and beams, while the low density used in the manufacture of non-load bearing such as wood paneling, internal trim, as well as household apÂpliances.
In addition as a mateÂrial for building house strucÂture, coconut trunk used as material for design exterior and for applications such as entrance or gate. CocoÂnut trunk is also used as raw material in papermaking by making the extracts for the manufacture of paper pulp.
Cocofiber, not fully utiÂlized before and it is estimated that IndoneÂsia lost potential revÂenue from cocofiber reaching IDR 13 Trillion per year with the assumption that the production of coconuts in Indonesia reached 15 billion fruit per year and only about 480 million fruits or about 3.2% of its newly exploited.
In every coconut fruit produces an averÂage of 0.15 kilograms cocofiber and coco peat as much as 0.39 kilograms. With a selling of coco fiber around IDR 2.000 – 2.500 per kilogram and IDR 1.000 – 1.500 per kilogram for coco peat in in the local market, the two cocos must do a very long trip passing their first buyer, until finally arÂrive in another continent, in major cities in Europe. Cocofiber will be processed again as upholstery materials for those formidable engined cars of German production.
The chosen cocofiber has traveled around the globe, while the remaining will be used the organic planting media and as the cookware cleaner in the kitchens of vilÂlagers in the remote areas or in the fishing villages.
What about the coconut leaf? The seÂlected young leaves will be used as janur or the stringging young coconut leaf as decoraÂtion of a traditional ceremony, as a wrapping traditional food for rice in Indonesia usually served on special occasions such as Idul Fitri and Idul Adha. Eid is incomplete without ketupat, chicken curry and stew meat and vegetable in rich coconut milk made by mother.
Old coconut leaves, can be used as a woÂven material for the manufacture of roofs and walls of traditional houses. While the dried coconut leaves can also be used as an ingrediÂent for the manufacture of woven mats, hats, bags, and various types of handicrafts. Many of us do not know if coconut leaf is the favorÂite food of elephants.
Do not throw the stick of coconut leaf when collected in a single bond, they can be used as a broom cleaning the room or special broom for cleaning the yard.
From the tip to the roots of a coconut trunk, coconut tree provides benefits to huÂman life; coconut root is commonly used as natural dye and manufacture material of toothbrushes. By consuming boiled water of coconut roots that has been filtered, it is believed to cure a variety of diseases assoÂciated with digestion. Coconut roots can be used as a structure of the building due to its strong structure. Indonesian society norÂmally plants coconut trees believed to be an antidote against the flood.
Young coconut water is very beneficial for our health; as a natural cleanser for the kidneys, electrolyte balance in the body. Able to heal burns, eliminate acne and scar, clean the amniotic fluid, preventing gray hair and prevent dehydration.
It feels very good while sipping coconut water from the heat. With the addition of coÂcopandan syrup and ice cubes and young coÂconut meat that has been shredded, coconut ice drinks become a favorite thirst release during the fasting month. The benefit conÂtained in water of green coconut is for the human body health. The content of tannins and an antidote (antivenom) is very high and also contain enzymes that can break down the toxic nature in the human body. Lauric acid contained in green coconut water is useful for a pregnant woman and her fetus.
Cocount meat is used as in various types of processed foods, as the manufacture of coÂconut oil. Additionally, coconut oil is a good conditioner for the hair as well. The use of coconut oil on the hair can make the hair beÂcomes softer and smoother.
Cocont shell is used as charcoal for cookÂing, craft materials such as carving, spoon, scoop, and others. Coconut shells can be treated as a cigarette filter, absorbing harmÂful gases, purify fermented CO2.
As the tree of life, palm trees are part of nature that become the foundation for local wisdom if used well as given by nature.