The ajb 2015 Oleh Oleh Gift List
What is Oleh Oleh?
We were inspired to produce our very own ajb Oleh Oleh gift list by our Indonesian friends. The Bahasa Indonesia term 'Oleh Oleh' simply means 'gift or souvenir'. Across the archipelago, the good-hearted practice of giving a small gift, such as food or a souvenir item for family or work friends is widespread.We have observed this beautiful tradition first hand at Indonesian airports, and on local aircrafts. We have watched as boxes of local cakes and snacks; that might only be available in the city, town or village that the traveller visited, are carefully bundled together with string, become precious cargo, then graciously shared amongst family or work mates on the travellers return home.
Once the expectation was that Oleh Oleh would consist of such things as fresh fruit, specialty cakes and biscuits, which were not normally available locally; but we understand the practice to be evolving and for some people, art merchandise has become the new souvenir.
'Art merchandise has become the new souvenir to bring home as a present for your friends when you travel abroad or even just out of town'
Now Jakarta
What's on the list?
The 'ajb Oleh Oleh Gift List' is comprised of some of our 'favourite Indonesian things' to give as gifts to family and friends when returning to our home country. Our list mirrors the traditional practice of giving 'local food treats' as well as the evolving practice of sharing 'art merchandise.' Our gift roundup includes: local textiles, ceramics, leather, coffee, honey, chocolate, spices as well as organic healthy snacks. All the information you need to take advantage of this list, we have included at the bottom of the post.
Our criteria
Our Oleh Oleh gifts are:
Made in Indonesia
Sourced in Jakarta
Light
Easy to pack
Price considered
Customs standards considered
Made by traditional artisans working in remote areas of Indonesia, regional areas and Jakarta
Made by emerging Indonesian artisans
A part of our Indonesian experience. Each item on the 'Ole Ole list' has a story that we would like to share with the people who will receive it. We may have met the artisan personally or online, admired the artisan's craft or we have received enjoyment from the product ourselves.
Our hope is that today's post might act as a guide to your Oleh Oleh gift giving this festive season, as well as taking some of the legwork out of your shopping. Similarly, we hope the act of giving small gifts or souvenirs to family and friends back home, might offer opportunities to share the story behind your Oleh Oleh and your Indonesia journey.Whether you are traveling locally or abroad in the coming month, we wish you safe and happy travels,Liz and Jo
Textiles
Batik print drawstring bag from Wisma Cheshire
YUM farm Dayak's Bride & Groom canvas tote, Wiru handmade tie dye and batik scarf, Kana scarf both found at Meet the Makers Jakarta
Kenny Fitra batik two-sided apron found at the British Women's Association November Bazaar
Navy blue and white batik design coasters by Wisma Cheshire
Navy blue and white batik serviettes made by Wisma Cheshire
Bright batik print fold up shopping bags from Wisma Cheshire
Light, useful and easy to pack batik tote bags. We will have one in each colour thank you!
Wisma Cheshire drawstring bags
Cotton print pouch by emerging Indonesian textile designer fikajulia
Burgundy and grey mini batik cushion from Jamu
Exotic print batik tea towel from Pantry Magic
New in town batik tie designer Ba.tie.k Your Dad would love this tie don't you think?
Dorotea Gale Batik cushion cover and Semaya Clay bowls
Eye masks by SWAS Living found at The good things in life in Woodpecker Cafe
Noodle bowl cloth bento design bandana and kotak sawah bandana by Sejauh Mata Memandang at The good things in life
Wake and Wander fabric covered notebooks: A Wanderer and A Dweller from The good things in life
Something for the kids! Jakarta bajaj T-Shirt from Le souq Kemang
Notebooks, Postcards and and stationery
Stunning graphic front notebooks by Mad Ants discovered at their pop up in SCTRY Health Food Bar
Tropical cover notebook by fikajulia
Indonesian images - cards and envelopes by Nita Strudwick Photography from Alun Alun
HEIMLO JAKARTA large notebook from Goods Dept Pondok Indah Mall 2
HEIMLO Jakarta foods notebooks - Ketupat Sayur, Opor Ayam, Rendang Padang, Good Dept Pondok Indah Mall 2
Bollu 'The end is not the end' Postcard set - a stunning design by emerging creative Ruth Marbun
Local prints on heavy paper gift bags from Brown Tree Paperie and Wrap - Made in Jogjakarta.
Make Your Own Greeting Cards from 2Madison Art Studio
Nostalgia inspired! I loved receiving cute pencils and eraser souvenirs as a child. These Jakarta creative souvenir pencil Ondel Ondel and Jakarta fridge magnet are from the British Women's Association November Bazaar
Rambutan and Durian cards from Le Souq
Ceramics
Ceramic plate by Pekunden pottery
Made in Bali white, grey and beige plate from Linoluna, Lippo Mall Kemang
Pottery bowls from a market outside Museum Keramic Kota Tua, (Jakarta Old Town) spoons from Kokken and made by Ayu Larasati
GBAKER multipurpose beaker and Semaya Clay bowls
Tekuni Japanese tea-cup, Haryo vase made in Jakarta, found in The good things in life
Convetti mug by Ayu Larasati from The Good Things in Life
Leather
GBAKER leather trivet
Indonesian snacks, treats and delicacies
Dorsata honey from around the archipelago found at Borneo Chic
Aceh Bandar Selin special release coffee beans and Aceh Gayo Organic coffee beans both from Anomali coffee
Javara organic coconut sugars
Javara cashews and cacao nibs from Flores and coconut chips
Javara spices - Rendang spice blend, Spekulas, Opor curry spice blend
Extra fine cocoa nibs and dark chocolate from Monggo chocolate
Do you subscribe to the Indonesian Oleh Oleh practice or an adapted form? Or partake in a similar practice where you are living? What's your experience?
What would you add to this list?
Let's chat in the comments section.
Suppliers and Stockists
Alun Alun Indonesia
Web: Alun Alun
Anomali Coffee
Web: Anomali Coffee
Ayu Larasati
Instagram: Ayu Larasati
Bazaars
Australian & New Zealand Women's Association
(ANZA)
British Womens' Association (BWA)
Bollu Land
Jl. Kemang 1a, No. 29a
KemangBlog: Bollu
Instagram:Bollu_land
Brown Tree Paperie and Wrap
Web: Brown Tree
Cokelat nDalem
Can be purchased in Alun Alun
Dorotea Gale
Web: Dorotea Gale
Dorsata forest honey
Can be purchased in Borneo Chic Kemang
Fika Julia
Facebook: Fika Julia Design
GBAKER
Email: gittebaker@gmail.com
HEIMLO stationery sold through Mad Ants
Online Shop: Mad Ants
Jamu
Web: Jamu
Javara
Web: Java Indonesia
Kana
Web: Kana
Kokken
Instagram: Kokken
Le souq
Web: Le Souq
Linoluna
Web: Linoluna
2Madison
Web: 2Madison
Meet the Makers Jakarta
Facebook: Meet the Makers
Monggo Chocolate
Web: Monggo Chocolate
Nita Strudwick Photography
Web: Nita Strudwick Photography
Pekunden Pottery
Facebook: Pedunden Pottery
Pantry Magic
Instagram: Pantry Magic
SCTRY Health food bar
Instagram: SCTRY
Semaya Clay
Instagram: Semaya Clay
Suzanna chocolates Bandung
Can be purchased in Ranch Market Pondok Indah and Sogo Food Hall Senayan Plaza
The GOODS Dept
Web: The Goods Dept
The good things in life
(Inside Woodpecker Cafe, Jl, Terogong Raya No. 34)
Instagram:The good things in life.co
Wiru handmade tie dye and batik
Web: Wiru
Wisma Cheshire (textiles from Yayasan Wisma Cheshire are made by adult men and women with mobility disabilities living in Indonesia, through their vocational training programme)
Web: Wisma Cheshire
YUM Organic Farm (Bags from YUM Farm are handmade by disadvantaged youths in the Sewing Project in the Vocational Training Centre of Yayasan Usaha Mulia)
Web: YUM farm
Email: organicfarm@yumindonesia.org (Email Yum Organic Farm to have your Dayak's Bride & Groom bag delivered to you in Jakarta)
Words: Liz McClean Photography: a journey bespoke