Lombok Eco Flea Market Spotlight | Cocobola

As a Lombok local and avid food enthusiast, Jeff brings a unique and flavorful perspective to the pages. Originally hailing from Hawaii, Jeff’s passion for adventure and a deep interest in the rich cultural tapestry of Indonesia captures the essence of Lombok and Indonesia, offering readers a taste of the extraordinary.

Post Type :

Explore

Published on :

August 30, 2024

ABOUT THIS SERIES:

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Each issue, MyLombok will highlight a vendor from the Lombok Eco Market – the monthly pop-up market that offers the best of Lombok’s eco-friendly crafts, foods, cosmetics, and more.

Cocobola: From Tree of Life to Urban Art

Panca Adi Saputra and Danica Badovinac, the owners of Cocobola, transform coconuts into beautiful urban products while sharing the profound story of the "tree of life." MyLombok Magazine recently sipped a coconut with Panca and Danica to learn more about their unique products and how we can all live more sustainably.

Where did your inspiration come from?

Danica: On the first day we met, Panca told me a story about the coconut tree as the tree of life, its functionality, and usage. I was "in love" with the metaphor he used, comparing it to human behavior and how we should emulate the resilience and resourcefulness of the coconut palm tree. Lombok is an island of 10,000 coconuts, and it’s hard not to notice them.

Panca: Yes, the coconut tree offers everything. Its leaves can be used for roofing, the water is drinkable, the meat is edible, the shell can be made into buckets, and the trunk can be used to build houses. The tree bends with the wind but always returns to its original position. This resilience is a metaphor for life: you face tough problems (like breaking a coconut) and need to exert energy to get the reward. When we started dating, Danica gave me a coconut tree as a symbol of our love, so we both find inspiration in it.

How did you get started?

Panca: Idea came to reality with a Kickstarter project after an earthquake in 2018 when only coconuts were left standing in the north of Lombok. We aimed to help a village and community that was producing coconut oil to rebuild their workshop. After that, everything progressed quickly.

What happened next?

Panca: Soon after, the Lombok Eco Market project started, coordinated by Danica, providing a great platform to develop and raise our brand. We began small, driving around Lombok and seeking out villages with existing skills in carving coconuts, integrating traditional skills into our urban designs.

Danica: Today, we collaborate closely with three villages in Lombok: one makes oil, one crafts products from coconut wood, and one focuses on coconut products. We have also expanded our brand to include hand-printed batik, always maintaining a connection to coconuts. Today, Cocobola is a brand that can be found in many shops and accommodations in Lombok and worldwide as we also export. But main goal is to keep traditional skills alive, to work with natural resources and to teach communities about circullar economy and how to make coconuts their main income.

Your coconut products are so creative. How do you get ideas?

Danica: I’m from Slovenia, a very green country where wood has always been significant. I have always been passionate about handmade products, valuing the time, creativity, and energy someone invests in their craft. Design ideas flow from nature, and home, inspired by walking with wide-open eyes around and implementing them into small coconuts. I feel coconut gives us that tropical dream that everyone has, so we wanted everybody to take a piece of tropical vibes home.

Have you always cared about the planet?

Danica: Yes, always. Since moving to Indonesia, environmental awareness has become more prominent. I cannot imagine doing any project without significantly implementing care for the planet. It’s a way of life, not a greenwashing propaganda or trend. Everyone should strive to be mindful of our big mamma planet.

Panca: I am still learning to care better. But with Danica around as a constant reminder, I start to include that as part of my life to.

Danica: We both believe that while you can't change the entire world, you can have a huge impact within a 2 km radius around you. If everyone did this, we could clean and protect a significant portion of the planet. So don’t wait for tomorrow but start today.

How are you helping others think differently?

Panca: Setting an example is the best you can do. Actions speak louder than words.

Danica: We always implement small, earth-friendly details in our projects. For example, when in workshops with communities, we always ask if they have planted any coconuts already. You can not just take you also give back, for generations ahhead.

We also have a policy to upcycle coconut waste into small products like earrings and keychains, so you can't avoid thinking about it.

How are you changing minds?

Danica: You have to be an example as Panca said. But first, you have to start by understanding different perspectives. Effective communication, active listening, providing clear information, and most importantly, patience are key. Change doesn't happen overnight. We must understand how things have come to be to provide effective change without judgment. I am sometimes disappointed in visitors of Lombok and judge the rubbish everywhere without taking a moment to ask why it is like that? Is it a lack of education, the plastic era replacing biodegradable packaging like banana leaves? Habits remain the same, and people throw things on the floor?

It’s a long road to walk, but slowly, we believe green change will happen for this island too.

What advice can you give to others who are interested in starting their own sustainable business?

Panca: Trust your gut and find a balance between mind and heart. Don’t be afraid but just listen to your instinct.

Danica: If it scares you a bit, it’s probably a good thing. Don’t worry about others’ opinions; just keep going. The worst that can happen is you end up where you started or receive a no. Life is about balance. Ensure your business does not harm the planet or people but benefits them, and you are good to go. And no, you don’t need big money to start something—all you need is a big idea! And have a coconut if it doesn't flow!

Discover more about Cocobola and support eco-friendly initiatives at the Lombok Eco Flea Market, where sustainability meets creativity.