KRETEK MUSEUM

The Kretek Museum is a fascinating place that focuses on the history of the kretek, a clove cigarette typical of Indonesia. Established in 1986, it was founded through the joint initiative of several cigarette companies. It exhibits a vast collection of 1195 objects relating to the history of the kretek, including company documents from the period, as well as traditional cigarette-making tools. It even inspired the Netflix series "Cigarette Girl", released in 2023, which delves into the inner workings of Indonesia's tobacco industry. Based on a novel by Ratih Kumala, this production features a star-studded cast including Dian Sastrowardoyo, Ario Bayu, Putri Marino and Arya Saloka. A series you can listen to on the road, why not!

As for its historical origins, kretek is a clove cigarette from the Moluccas. The story goes that Mr. Nitisemito, an inhabitant of Kudus, had the idea of rolling his cigarette with tobacco and a crushed clove to soothe his asthma. Cloves are an anesthetic. He soon promoted his company, Bal Tiga, with a rather amusing promotion. He gave gifts to those who returned empty packages, and propagandized all over Java by renting a truck with an orchestra. Kudus soon became the capital of kretek. The number of factories grew to 200. Today, only fifty or so factories remain, including Indonesia's 2nd largest, the Chinese company Djarum, whose advertisements you're sure to see on TV. There are 2 types of kretek: manual and industrial. The manual ones are hand-rolled on wooden machines. This work is performed by 2 women, one rolling the cigarette while the other cuts the ends. The most skilful women roll 7,000 to 8,000 cigarettes a day. Industrial cigarettes are rolled by machines. The tobacco and paper used remain very high in tar and nicotine. The filter has a natural sweet taste. Kretek means a lot to Indonesians. It is both a means of exchange and a gesture of conviviality. The biggest brands are : Bentoel, Gudang Garam and Djarum. Nevertheless, they are sometimes at the heart of debate due to the presence of cloves in their composition, which can present health risks when burned and inhaled.