A number of Universitas Airlangga’s (UNAIR) members, consisting of Airlangga Global Engagement and the Faculty of Science and Technology Ambassadors, accompanied 12 students from Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) to visit the Osing Kemiren Cultural Village (06/07). As part of the “Sustainable Development City Summer School” program, this village supports participants in delving deeper into the application of SDG points as it has been integrated into the Smart Village program by the Banyuwangi Regency Government.
At the beginning of the visit, the guests were welcomed by the local residents with a brief introduction to the village, its culture, and its unique features. One of the village’s main attractions is Osing Coffee. The students were given a detailed explanation about the process of making coffee and the resulting products. The villagers also provided freshly brewed coffee, sweet snacks, and traditional dawet drinks. “This coffee is really well made, the locals are amazing! Osing Coffee tastes so authentic, I really like it,” said Rowan. “It was such an interesting experience to see and try making the coffee myself,” said Millie, an LJMU student. The utilization of coffee beans in the village has become one of the largest economic sources for the local residents. This is an example of a successful application of SDG point 8, “Decent Work and Economic Growth.”
After learning about the process of making Osing Coffee, the students were invited to tour the village. They were introduced to the village’s history, cultural heritage, the beauty of its flora, and the traditions that are still strongly preserved, all while observing how SDGs are applied in daily life. “It’s amazing how rich Indonesia is with its natural resources, and how well the locals are utilizing them for their prosperity,” said Freya. This aligns with SDG point 3, “Good Health and Well-being.” One of the local traditions that caught the attention of the Liverpool students was the traditional Osing musical instruments, the Angklung Paglak and Othek. The local residents taught them how to play these instruments.
In addition to the musical instruments, Osing Village is also iconic for its batik patterns. The students had the opportunity to color pre-printed batik fabric. The batik coloring process was eagerly followed by all participants. The arts activities continued with weaving leaves into containers and a performance of the Gandrung Dance, which is the symbol of Banyuwangi. The students and their companions watched the dancers, singers, and musicians and were invited to dance along. This performance became a symbol of the local identity and served as the closing highlight of their activities in the Osing Village.
