Indonesian roof tilers flex strengths to revive local industry

Revitalising Clay: Jatiwangi’s Roof Tile Workers Battle a Vanishing Trade

Bodybuilding Meets Brick

In the heart of Java’s Jatiwangi, a new competition unfolds where clay roof tile workers flex their muscles rather than lift iron.

History in Stone

• Jerusalem‑style terracotta tiles emerged over a century ago, hand‑crafted to replace thatched roofs.
• By the 1930s, Indonesian colonial rulers adopted the ceramic coati for government buildings.
• Today, the industry faces a critical decline as younger generation favours automation.

Organising for Survival

Illa Syukrillah Syarief, a 48‑year‑old factory worker, says the goal is “to conserve the culture of Jatiwangi roof tiles” as the trade risks erasure.

Competitive Spirit

• Men, young and old, pose shirtless beside crowds of women in hijabs and judges.
• Winners receive up to 1.5 million rupiah ($92) in cash, paid by rival factories.

Display of Power

Participants demonstrate strength by holding tiles between fingers and mouths while standing on one leg, accompanied by remixed traditional music familiar from TikTok.

Preserving Identity

Illa believes that roof tile production “will continue to be”. Instead of a mere commodity, it should be an identity: a community that works with the earth.