Agel is actually the leaf from the Gebang tree, as it is called in Java. A member of the Palmae family classification which also includes Coconut trees. They can grow up to 30 meters or more, and the leaves look like Coconut leaves, but are much coarser and stiffer. Its white flowers and the fruit are found at the top of the tree, only the leaves having any economic value.

How we process Agel leaves. The Gebang leaves are cut from the trees, and shredded into many small pieces. The shredded leaves are then dried in the sun until they are really dry. These dried shredded leaves are then twisted and bonded together one to another to form "ropes". We normally make three strands of the shredded leaves, (sometimes more depending on how big we want to make the ropes). We call these ropes of shredded 'Gebang" leaves the Agel "materials."

We can make many beautiful handicrafts from Agel, such as place mats, runners, boxes, storage containers and floor mats, etc. All of which are woven on looms. We can also combine the Agel materials with other materials such as Mendong, Pandan, Water hyacinth etc, in order to make sophisticated  and different handicrafts.

People here in Java have long used Agel rope to bind the roofs of their houses, or in making bamboo fans, etc. Therefore long before Agel was used for handicrafts it was already available in the traditional markets, and we can still easily find it there even now.

The price of  Agel material has now increased and seems rather expensive compared with other natural materials such as Water hyacinth or Pandan. This is simply because the process to make it is expensive, especially if the ropes are thin. Therefore, it is very common for craftsmen to make their Agel handicraft products in combination with other materials to reduce the cost.  Agel can also absorb  color when dyed but not as well as Pandan or Mendong, which can be more uniform in colors tone.

Lidi is the name given to the spines of coconut leave. Coconut can grow almost everywhere, both in sub-tropic and tropical countries like Indonesia. Coconut trees are also well known as "Industrial trees" with a very high economic value. Nothing is ever wasted from this tree from their wood, fruit, leaves and the spines. Even the flowers are used for wedding decoration here in Java.

Lidi can also be combined with other natural materials to make sophisticated handicraft products. One of the good combinations is between the Lidi and Mendong,  both materials blending well together.

Lidi does not absorb color well, only limited colors can be applied such as black or very bright colors, however the natural color of the Lidi (brownish) will always be visible giving it a distinctive hue.