Konpas

Konpas is a traditional drawing instrument used in Indonesia and parts of Southeast Asia for geometric construction. It refers to a geometry tool or set used to draw circles, straight lines, and angles, often employed in education and crafts. A konpas set typically combines a compass and a straightedge, and may include a protractor or other small accessories.

The term konpas derives from the Dutch word kompas, meaning compass. In Indonesian usage it is commonly associated with the drawing instrument, though the same word is also used for magnetic navigation compasses in everyday language. The distinction between konpas as a drawing tool and kompas as a navigation instrument is typically clarified by context.

Construction and components can vary, but a typical konpas consists of a two-legged compass attached to a hinge, with one leg fitted to hold a pencil and the other to form the circle’s center. Some sets incorporate a ruler or straightedge, a protractor, and sometimes additional accessories, all housed in a compact case made of wood or metal.

Historical and educational role: Konpas was widely used in Indonesian schools from the early to mid-20th century as part of basic geometry education. It aided students in constructing shapes, bisecting angles, and drafting circles, before the widespread adoption of plastic sets and digital drawing tools.

Current use: Modern curricula increasingly favor digital tools, but the konpas remains a cultural artifact and is still used by some hobbyists, artists, and in traditional craft practices. It is also collected as vintage educational equipment and is associated with the history of technical drawing in the region.