RRI.CO.ID, Palangka Raya - The craft of Jawet Suring is elevating Central Kalimantan’s Dayak culture from traditional ceremony to contemporary fashion. Founded seven years ago by Soleo Candra (45), this local enterprise has emerged as a leading Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) in Palangka Raya, transforming raw natural materials into high-value cultural artifacts.

At the heart of the production is the Batang Garing motif, the Dayak Tree of Life. For Soleo, these creations are more than mere accessories; they are spiritual vessels.

"This is a symbol of our relationship with the Creator. When worn, we carry the life philosophy of the Dayak people with us ," he explained on Friday, April 17, 2026, as quoted by Infopublik.id.

The distinction of Jawet Suring products lies in the meticulous selection of raw materials. The brand primarily uses Nyamuk wood bark (known locally as kapua), prized for its durability and strength.

To maintain the highest standards of craftsmanship, the brand implements rigorous quality control, ensuring each piece of bark undergoes a strict selection process for longevity and aesthetic appeal.

Furthermore, the workshop's exclusivity is preserved by the fact that production is entirely manual; with only about seven complete sets produced per month, each item effectively becomes a rare collector's piece.

Recognizing the changing tastes of the younger generation, Soleo has innovated traditional designs to be more lifestyle-friendly. This includes simplifying items like the sumping (a traditional female headpiece) to make them practical for both formal events and casual daily wear without losing their Dayak identity.

The current product lineup features a diverse range of apparel and gear, including traditional items such as Baju Sangkarut, Lawung, and Sangkirai. In addition to clothing, the brand offers a variety of accessories meticulously crafted from indigenous materials like wood bark and rattan.

To accommodate different levels of craftsmanship, the pricing for these products ranges from IDR 150,000 (USD 8.7) to IDR 2.7 million, with costs determined by the complexity of the design and the specific materials used.

The works of Jawet Suring are now worn by a diverse demographic, from youth and indigenous leaders to administration officials. They are sold through social media, exhibitions, and the local Dekranasda (National Handicraft Council) outlets.

Soleo’s ultimate goal is to see Dayak culture integrated into the fabric of modern life. "My hope is that Dayak culture is not only present during traditional events but is also used in everyday life," he concluded.

Jawet Suring represents a vital shift in heritage-based entrepreneurship. By focusing on the Tree of Life philosophy, Soleo isn't just selling a product, he is selling an identity. The decision to use kapua bark is particularly strategic, it is a sustainable, indigenous material that offers a tactile "story" that synthetic modern fabrics cannot replicate.

The move toward minimalist design for the Sumping and other accessories is a clever response to the "cultural fatigue" sometimes felt by younger generations toward heavy traditional regalia. By making these pieces practical and flexible, Jawet Suring is ensuring that Dayak motifs aren't just museum pieces, but active participants in the global trend of ethno-modernism.

This business model proves that scarcity (producing only seven sets a month) can actually be a marketing strength, positioning the brand as an artisanal luxury rather than a mass-market commodity. ***