The Community Service Team of the Faculty of Kep Unhas, in collaboration with the Panrita Husada Bulukumba Health College, conducted a socialization activity for the Nusantara Arts Innovation Program titled “Integration of Ergonomics, Psychology, and Physical Exercise in the Preservation of Kajang Black Cloth Weaving” on Sunday (June 28) at 9:00 a.m. WITA (Central Indonesian Time) in Tanah Towa Village, Kajang District, Bulukumba Regency.
This activity was the initial step in implementing a community service program aimed at improving the physical and mental health of weavers while preserving the cultural heritage of Kajang Black Cloth Weaving through ergonomics, psychology, and physical exercise. The program was implemented in collaboration with PHKom PEREMPUAN AMAN Kajang, a community that has been actively preserving the traditional weaving art of the Kajang indigenous people.
A total of 60 participants took part in this activity, consisting of 50 female Kajang black cloth weavers and 10 students: 5 junior high school students and 5 high school students. The involvement of students is a crucial part of the regeneration effort for young weavers, ensuring that weaving skills are passed down to the next generation and the art of Kajang weaving continues to thrive amidst changing times.
The Head of the Community Service Team, Rijal, S.Ft., Physio., M.Kes., M.Sc., Ph.D., stated that cultural preservation focuses not only on the woven products, but also on the well-being of the weavers, the main actors in the culture. He believes that weaving, which involves static and repetitive work positions, carries the risk of musculoskeletal disorders, physical fatigue, and work stress if not accompanied by the application of ergonomic principles and a healthy lifestyle.
“Through this program, we want to present a more comprehensive approach. This not only improves the health and productivity of weavers but also prepares the younger generation to develop the awareness and skills to preserve the art of Kajang black cloth weaving,” he said.
Through the synergy between F.Kep Unhas, STIKes Panrita Husada Bulukumba, and PHKom PEREMPUAN AMAN Kajang, this program is expected to not only improve the health and safety of weavers through various educational activities, screening, physical training, and mentoring, but also strengthen efforts to preserve the Kajang Black Cloth Weaving culture. The involvement of the younger generation in recognizing cultural values and learning basic weaving techniques is expected to be a real step in creating a regeneration of artists, so that the cultural heritage remains sustainable and continues to develop in the community.
