RRI.CO.ID, Palembang - While Songket is widely celebrated as the Queen of Fabrics, Palembang houses another textile gem of deep historical and philosophical value dating back to the Palembang Sultanate era: Sulam Angkinan embroidery. Originating during the reign of Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin I Jaya Wikramo, this centuries-old craft is now at a critical crossroads, struggling to survive amid severe capital shortages and limited market access.

Despite being officially designated as an Intangible Cultural Heritage (WBTB), artisans in Kampung Angkinan, Sungai Lais, Palembang, face steep operational challenges. Production relies on intricate hand-stitching techniques passed down through generations. However, independent social media marketing has proven insufficient to cover rising material and production costs, forcing craft leaders to delay artisan wages until products are sold.

To prevent the historical textile from fading away, local master artisans are appealing to regional authorities for direct financial support, sustained promotional campaigns, and the inclusion of Sulam Angkinan embroidery into local school curriculums.

Master artisans and local textile preservers emphasized that urgent structural support, rather than mere ceremonial recognition, is vital to safeguard Palembang's cultural identity. Sixth-generation Sulam Angkinan master artisan, Ayu, shared the emotional and financial hardships of keeping the ancestral craft alive.

"I learned the art of Sulam Angkinan at a very young age from my parents, who inherited it from my grandmother, this business has been run for generations. Honestly, we are grateful to the Palembang City Administration for their attention, but we still desperately need direct assistance regarding capital, promotion, and concrete product marketing," Ayu said in Palembang on Sunday, August 2, 2026.

She also voiced her determination to protect the craft despite financial constraints affecting her fellow workers. Beyond being a trade, sulam Angkinan is the pride of Palembang's identity, and integrating it into local school curriculums could serve as a final defense so it does not become extinct in its own homeland.

"I feel deep sadness when I have to pay the artisans' wages only after a product is sold, Yet it is the artisans themselves who keep encouraging me. That is what keeps me from giving up," Ayu added with emotion. (Naura Sofia-EN)