Women Dedication and Forest Conservation
With its extensive 2.3 million hectares of forest, Kapuas Hulu Regency plays a pivotal role in global climate stability. Kapuas Hulu is also home to the largest Dayak Iban community in West Kalimantan. The Dayak Iban community is well-known for the art of weaving, which is primarily carried out by women. Since ancient times, women weavers have used natural resources to dye their yarn, some plants can be cultivated near the houseyard, such as tumeric (Curcuma longa), rengat (Marsdenia tinctoria), mengkudu (Morinda citrifolis) and others. But many other plants live in forest ecosystems that are very high in biodiversity, such as ulin (Eusideroxylon zwagerii), tengkawang (Shorea sp), yellow root (Arcangelesia flava), and others. These natural materials have a distinctive colour character, where weavers must continue to actively experiment by dyeing several times or even combining one dye with another to get the desired colour, although the final result is always unpredictable, but the process of obtaining beautiful and ethical colours is a separate experience for women weavers.
Utilising natural resources for dyeing woven fabric gained from the forest, they preserve a rich cultural tradition and actively conserve tropical forest biodiversity. Arising from the urgency to preserve woven culture, improve the local economy, and contribute to tropical forest conservation. Mahakara Tenun was established in 2021, promoting conservation education in Dayak Iban culture and the importance of forests for the local community. This initiative's movement goal is to sustain the weaving tradition, empower women and the young generation, and support the local economy through a fair trade scheme.
Every Patterns Tells a Story
Inspired by Nature, Created by Women
Iban woven textiles encompass five main techniques: sidan, pileh anyam, pileh selam, ikat, and sungkit. These techniques are based on thread formation and the colouring process. The patterns are inspired by things that the weavers see in the forest, as well as by their dreams, which are believed to be messages from Petara (God). Some patterns are depicted explicitly, while others may implicitly tell certain stories or even prayers. The weavers also believe that there are certain ways to learn how to weave, where everything must start with simple patterns and slowly progress towards creating more sophisticated ones. All patterns elucidate the entities in nature, revealing the connectivity of this masterpiece with nature and how the weaver (and also the community) appreciates surrounding natural resources as a part of their livelihood.