Nia S. Amira
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Not only the Sundanese girls who are called as neng geulis; selop geulis (adorable sandal for party) and the umbrella is made to make the look of the pretty Sundanese girl shall be more prettier (read: Geulis = beautiful /pretty). If normal umÂbrellas can protect us from the big shower (rain), this adorable umbrelÂla only can protect us from the heat, as this beautiful umbrella was made by wooden with its cover only made by paper with floral painting, and now also with floral designs that are used on certain motif of Batik.
Payung Geulis is the icon of TaÂsikmalaya city in West Java which are endangered. Around 1926 paÂyung geulis was the favorite accesÂsories to young Dutch women who at that time were very fond to bring along their adorable umbrella when they were in vacation during the weekends in the cities they live in West Java area. Payung geulis had its glory from 1955 to 1968. And that golden years was gradually deÂclined and manufactured umbrellas from overseas came into the counÂtry after the government adopted an open economic policy in 1968 and giving the impact on the deÂstruction of the craft industry localÂly. The handicraft business began to shine again since 1980s, although in small quantities.