Rattan Is Life

Rattan (Calamoideae arecaceae) is the generic term for a large and complex group of mostly climbing spiny palms, especially in Indonesia constituting the world's most important non-timber agroforest product. In the rattan industry, Indonesia occupies a unique position in the world. Indonesia is the world’s largest producer of natural rattan, with some even put the figure as far high as 85% of the total.

Throughout history, rattan is an inseparable part of life. The Indigenous Dayak people in Kalimantan have used rattans for tying, basketry, construction, medicine, food, and miscellaneous purposes materials. Rattan has sustained us for generations. However, rattan is more than just a commodity to us, rattan is the tree of life embedded as Dayak identity.

RATTAN WEAVING IS A CULTURAL HERITAGE

Rattan weaving is also a vessel for our creativityand story telling as depicted through various patterns such as Batang Garing( Tree of live), animals, spirits and natural phenomenons. Every pattern and weaving style is a unique to each family or tribes, stretchesfrom the mountainsto the seas and the rivers in between.

For Dayak people, rattan weaving is a living cultural heritage. To sustain this tradition, preservation of the forests for our future generations is crucial. It is our home and home for our grandchildren.