Buffalo Skin
Biologically, buffalo hide is the outer layer that protects the body of the water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis). Like the skin of other animals, buffalo hide consists of three main layers:
1. Epidermis: The thin outermost layer.
2. Dermis(Koriurn): The thick, strong middle layer containing dense collagen fibers. This layer is used for various products.
3. Hypodermis: The inner layer containing fat.
What distinguishes buffalo hide from cowhide is the thickness and density of the fibers. Buffalo hide is generally thicker, heavier, and has a rougher surface texture with a distinctive pore pattern (larger and more irregular than cowhide). Because of its strength, buffalo hide has high economic value.
1. Epidermis: The thin outermost layer.
2. Dermis(Koriurn): The thick, strong middle layer containing dense collagen fibers. This layer is used for various products.
3. Hypodermis: The inner layer containing fat.
What distinguishes buffalo hide from cowhide is the thickness and density of the fibers. Buffalo hide is generally thicker, heavier, and has a rougher surface texture with a distinctive pore pattern (larger and more irregular than cowhide). Because of its strength, buffalo hide has high economic value.
Benefits of Buffalo Skin
The uses of buffalo leather are diverse, ranging from traditional to modern. Here's a complete explanation:
1. Leather and Craft Industry (Leather Goods)
This is the most common use. The thick, strong buffalo hide is processed through a tanning process to produce high-value leather.
2. Culinary: Skin Crackers (Krecek/Rambak)
This is a very popular use in Indonesia and several Asian countries.
3. Musical Instruments and Traditional Arts
Buffalo hide is the main material in various musical instruments and traditional arts because it produces a deep and resonant sound.
4. Arts and Handicrafts (Non-Leather Goods)
5. Traditional and Cultural Utilization
6. Other Products
1. Leather and Craft Industry (Leather Goods)
This is the most common use. The thick, strong buffalo hide is processed through a tanning process to produce high-value leather.
•Footwear: It is used to make very durable shoe soles, sandals, and work boots because of its durability.
•Bags and Wallets: Especially for bags that require high durability, such as backpacks, briefcases, and travel bags, the end result often has a sturdy and rustic feel.
•Leather Jackets and Accessories: Buffalo leather jackets are typically thicker and heavier, making them suitable for biker or field work.
•Horse Saddles and Riding Equipment: Its strength is very much needed to withstand loads and friction.
•Furnitur: Used for upholstery of sofas, chairs, or wall panels which gives a luxurious and industrial impression.
2. Culinary: Skin Crackers (Krecek/Rambak)
This is a very popular use in Indonesia and several Asian countries.
•Manufacturing Process: Raw buffalo hide is cleaned of hair and fat, then soaked and boiled to soften it. After that, the hide is sun-dried until it becomes dry (referred to as raw skin crackers). To eat, this dried skin is fried in hot oil until it puffs up and becomes crispy.
•Flavor: Has a savory taste and a unique texture, crispy yet slightly "bubbly".
•In Cooking: Besides being used as crackers, in its raw form (often called krecek or rambak), it is a main ingredient in several dishes such as Gudeg Krecek (Yogyakarta) and Gule Krecek (Central Java). After long cooking, its texture becomes chewy and it absorbs the seasoning well.
3. Musical Instruments and Traditional Arts
Buffalo hide is the main material in various musical instruments and traditional arts because it produces a deep and resonant sound.
•Bedug and Rebana: The membranes or skins struck on mosque bedugs and rebana are often made from buffalo hide due to their durability and sound quality.
•Kendang/Drum: In Javanese and Balinese gamelan, a good kendang often uses buffalo skin on one side (for low sounds) and goat skin on the other side (for high sounds).
•Wayang Kulit: Although cow or goat leather is more commonly used, some regions also utilize buffalo hide to make larger and stronger wayang.
4. Arts and Handicrafts (Non-Leather Goods)
•Leather Carving: Thick buffalo hide is suitable for leather carving and tooling techniques, producing deep and detailed reliefs for wall decorations, book covers, or ornaments.
•Wayang Suket: A type of wayang made from woven grass and reinforced with buffalo hide.
5. Traditional and Cultural Utilization
•Shield: In the past, the strength of buffalo hide was utilized by various tribes in Indonesia as a material for making shields or defenses in traditional warfare.
•Wrapping Material: Before the advent of plastic, simple tanned hides were used to wrap items or make containers.
•Ritual Object: In some cultures, buffalo hide has symbolic value and is used in traditional ceremonies.
6. Other Products
•Fertilizer and Animal Feed: Waste from leather processing (such as shavings and dust) that is rich in nitrogen can be processed into organic fertilizer or mixed into animal feed.
•Gelatin: Through further processing, collagen from buffalo skin can be extracted into gelatin for food and pharmaceutical industry needs.