The Sui Utik, Creative Works and Tembawang: Retaining Biodiversity in Kalimantan, Indonesia

Octaviana Sylvia Caroline Rombe

doi:10.25120/etropic.19.1.2020.3696

Octaviana Sylvia Caroline Rombe

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.25120/etropic.19.1.2020.3696

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Abstract

This paper discusses how the Dayak Iban community of Sui Utik, Kalimantan, with the help of Sekar Kawung, a social enterprise foundation, uses the indigenous system of Tembawang to challenge deforestation and concomitant problems of air pollution through creative works based on the materials of the local rainforest. The research for this paper includes interviews with the founder of Sekar Kawung foundation, literature reviews, photographs, social media reports and community summaries. Sui Utik, in collaboration with Sekar Kawung, has developed creative works including weavings, an innovative application of tattoos, food and beverage products, and eco treks. The research found that the Sui Utik community, which started producing creative works in 2015, have continued their practice as social entrepreneurs. It is suggested that they should now expand their practice by working together with other indigenous entrepreneurs to challenge Indonesian craftsmen and designers to take their creativity, skills and knowledge to an international market. As part of this move, the development of innovative marketing tools using new technologies should be explored, while maintaining local wisdom as the core value for making creative works.

Highlights

A s an architect and lecturer in an Indonesian school of design, my research interests have extended to ways of developing value chains based on the wisdom of local indigenous communities
Having undertaken research over several years into local wisdom and various community development projects in Indonesia, I believe that the example of the collaborative work between Sui Utik and Sekar Kawung is a worthy example of what can be done to embrace the concept of local wisdom incorporated with biodiversity conservation as a base for value chains of creative works in Indonesia
The creative works in this paper refer to weaving, innovative application of a tattoo, indigenous food and beverage processing, and the design of eco treks – all of which have been developed with respect to the indigenous agroforestry concept of Tembawang

Summary

Introduction

A s an architect and lecturer in an Indonesian school of design, my research interests have extended to ways of developing value chains based on the wisdom of local indigenous communities. In 2019, I met Chandra Kirana, the founder of Sekar Kawung, a social enterprise foundation, and was inspired by the foundation’s work in collaboration with the Dayak Iban community of Sui Utik, West Kalimantan, Indonesian Borneo.

Results

Conclusion