KBRN, Bengkayang: Kindau Hamlet in Sekida Jagoi Babang Village, Bengkayang Regency, West Kalimantan, is transforming into a creative village by developing traditional Dayak Bidayuh products, thereby reviving its community's economy.

In 2017, the Bengkayang Regency administration inaugurated Kindau hamlet as a creative village bordering Malaysia. This initiative aimed to preserve the ancestral culture of the Dayak people through the art of handicraft weaving.

This program empowers the Kindau community to develop their skills and abilities in diverse fields, including handicrafts, culinary arts, and tourism. Kindau Creative Village showcases its creativity through handicrafts crafted from natural materials like bamboo, rattan, and wood.

They craft various high aesthetic values and environmentally friendly handicrafts, including bags, wallets, home decorations, and table chairs.

Tourists visiting Jagoi Village can enhance their experience by purchasing souvenirs crafted by the residents of Kindau Creative Village.

“This initiative not only improves the welfare of the local community but also introduces the beauty and uniqueness of Jagoi Babang to the wider community,” said Fitri Nurjanah, a craftsman from the Ton Sowa Jagoi Babang MSE center group, as quoted by antaranews.com on April 28, 2025.

Fitri observed that the village economy was now significantly more vibrant and developed. Throughout the day, the villagers actively cultivate their fields and gardens. As night falls, they dedicate their time to the intricate craft of weaving.

Nearly all residents of this area possess remarkable and unique weaving skills passed down through generations. Initially, these rattan weaving abilities served only to meet household needs.

However, growing demand from the surrounding community transformed this skill into a vital source of income for their families.

Rattan handicrafts from Kindau continue to be highly sought after by both local and international communities. Notably, every Saturday and Sunday, sellers from Malaysia arrive to purchase the available handicrafts in bulk.

The crafts are then sold at Serikin Market, Malaysia, known as Weekend Market. Villagers also directly sell their handicrafts to Malaysia, some of these transactions utilize a purchase order (PO) system.

Traveling from Kindau village to Serikin market takes approximately one hour by motor vehicle. Residents of this border village possess a special entry permit, a cross-border pass valid for several adjacent subdistricts in Malaysia.

To boost the production and market value of their handicraft products, Kindau Creative Village and Jagoi Babang Tourism Village have established a close cooperative relationship to increase community income and promote local products. This collaboration allows Kindau Creative Village to market its products to the many tourists visiting Jagoi Babang.

The most sought-after handicraft from Kindau Creative Village is the intricate bidai, a beautifully woven rattan mat. Prices for these mats vary based on the complexity of the design, the size, and the specific motif requested, ranging from IDR 450,000 to upwards of IDR 1 million per piece.

Meanwhile, the Ton Sowa IKM group consistently receives monthly orders from both local residents and Malaysia, ranging from 100 to 200 pieces. The Ton Sowa IKM comprises four specialized groups: Juah, Kasah, Finishing, and Furniture.

In addition to her involvement with IKM Ton Sowa, Fitri runs her own business that empowers ten women through weaving. Her products are meticulously handmade and possess significant artistic value.

Fitri said that these handicrafts are a substantial support to the family economy, particularly for individuals who consistently dedicate themselves to this craft.

Fitri started her rattan handicraft business in 2020. Currently, she generates an income ranging from IDR 5 million to IDR 10 million per month.

She also maintains a secure stock of rattan raw materials, sourced by local residents who gather it from the forest and sell it to her group.

The creativity of Kindau residents offers a beacon of hope, inspiring a continued spirit of work and fostering well-being that improves their quality of life. They weave, preserving the cultural traditions of their Dayak ancestors