Mbah Redjo, Potret Kemandirian Seorang Nenek

Liputan6.com, Yogyakarta: Saat matahari belum bangkit dari peraduan dan ayam jantan masih lelap dibuai malam, Rubiyah yang biasa dipanggil Mbah Redjo justru tengah sibuk mengemasi mainan dagangannya. Usai salat Subuh ia pun berangkat menuju pasar. Tak ada kawan maupun pengantar, hanya derap langkah kaki tua yang menemani Mbah Redjo menyusuri jalan sepanjang 15 kilometer dari Dusun Pandes di Bantul, Yogyakarta.

Dibutuhkan waktu dua jam untuk mencapai Pasar Gamping, Sleman, tempatnya mengais rupiah. Di sebuah lapak kecil, nenek berusia 80 tahun ini menggelar dagangannya. Mainan buatan Mbah Redjo dijual dengan harga antara Rp 1.000 hingga Rp 4.000. Rata-rata ia bisa mendapat Rp 25 hingga Rp 50 ribu. Nilai itu cukup untuk modal dan makan selama dua hari.

Semangat Mbah Redjo ini menjadi inspirasi bagi pedagang lain di Pasar Gamping. Meski sudah uzur, Mbah Redjo tak mau berpangku tangan dan tetap memproduksi beragam mainan kegemaran anak-anak.

Mata tuanya tak boleh lengah, karena bahaya terkena senjata tajam selalu mengancam. Tak jarang jari Mbah terkena golok ataupun gergaji saat membelah bambu. Tapi semua itu tak dirisaukannya. "Ya nggak pernah susah, Mas, senang saja. Punya uang nggak punya uang saya itu senang. Kalau dibikin susah, sakit trus malah mati kan," tuturnya.

Sudah 30 tahun lebih Mbah Redjo berjualan mainan. Dulu ia biasa berjalan kaki hingga Purworejo dan Purwodadi sambil menginap di pasar. Semua itu ia lakukan untuk menghidupi tiga anaknya setelah sang suami tiada. Kini, setelah anak-anaknya dewasa, si Mbah tetap tak ingin menyusahkan mereka.

"Kalau tidak berjualan saya tidak bisa makan. Mau minta anak, anak pun tidak punya uang. Anak juga cuma buruh di sawah. Kalau di sawah paling cukup buat diri sendiri. Bayarannya paling Rp 25 ribu, kalau untuk menghidupi tiga anak kan tidak cukup," jelas Mbah Redjo.

Dusun Pandes di Bantul terkenal sebagai sentra mainan tradisional sejak pertengahan abad ke-18 hingga awal abad ke-19. Kini tinggal delapan pembuat mainan tradisional yang tersisa dan hanya Mbah Redjo yang menjualnya langsung ke pasar.

Di balik semua itu, kemandirian Mbah Redjo dalam mengisi hidup menjadi cermin bagi generasi muda untuk giat berkarya di tengah serbuan modernisasi yang menghimpit mainan produksinya.(ADO)

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Mbah Redjo, Independence A Portrait of Grandmother

Liputan6.com, Yogyakarta: As the sun has not risen from the contest and the rooster was still asleep lulled by the evening, which used to be called Grandma Rubiyah Redjo just been busy packing up toys wares. After dawn prayers he departed for the market. No friends or introduction, just an old tramp who accompanied Mbah feet Redjo down the road along the 15 kilometers from the hamlet Pandes in Bantul, Yogyakarta.

It took two hours to reach Gamping market, Sleman, where paw rupiah. In a small stall, this 80-year-old grandmother held wares. Toys made by Mbah Redjo sold at between Rp 1,000 to Rp 4,000. On average, he could get USD 25 to USD 50 thousand. The value of capital and that was enough to eat for two days.

Mbah Redjo spirit has become an inspiration to other traders in the Market Gamping. Although the elderly, Mbah Redjo would not stand idly by and still produce a variety of children's favorite toys.

Eye parents should not be complacent, because the danger is always affected by a sharp weapon to threaten. Not infrequently Mbah finger when hit by a machete or chainsaw cut bamboo. But all was not worried. "Ya never difficult, mas, happy alone. Having money is not got money I was happy. If contrived difficult, painful even to die right then," he said.

Already 30 years Mbah Redjo selling toys. Formerly he used to walk up to Purworejo and Purwodadi while staying on the market. All that he did to support his three children after her husband died. Now, after his children mature, the Grandma still does not want to bother them.

"If you do not sell I can not eat. Want to ask a child, the child did not have any money. Child labor is also only in the fields. If at least enough rice for ourselves. The pay at least $ 25 thousand, when to feed her three children was not enough, "said Mbah Redjo.

Hamlet Pandes in Bantul known as a center for traditional toys since the mid-18th century to early 19th century. Now only eight traditional toy makers are left and only Mbah Redjo who sell directly to the market.

Behind it all, independence Mbah Redjo in charge of life becomes a mirror for the younger generation to actively work in the middle of rush of modernization that squeeze toy production.