Preserving Traditional Basketry

Indonesia has a rich heritage of traditional craftwork, passed down from generations, including the anjat and the noken, handmade woven bags from Kalimantan and Papua, respectively. They are attractive, functional and sustainable. On December 5, 2012, UNESCO identified the noken as an intangible cultural heritage in need of urgent safeguarding. To preserve the tradition of bag-weaving, the Non-Timber Forest Products Exchange Programan NGO focusing on sustainable non-timber productsencourages and assists women's groups in East Kalimantan to continue producing anjats. While in Papua, Yadupa the Papua Village Foundation helps villagers in Papua to revive and maintain the almost-forgotten skill of noken- weaving. Tempo English reports from the regencies of West Kutai and Biak.