Aceh’s relationship with rattan goes deep into its history. One of the region’s traditional weapons, the Peurise Awe shield, is made from tightly plaited rattan strips, showing how the material has long been valued for its strength and flexibility in both warfare and ceremony.
Today, rattan is being pushed forward through training and community programs. HIMKI Aceh has organised workshops in places like Aceh Singkil to train inmates and local communities in using rattan as a craft and furniture material, noting the strong rattan potential in the region.
At the national level, HIMKI and government stakeholders often emphasise that Indonesia’s rattan furniture should become “king of the world,” with Aceh included as one of the provinces rich in raw rattan such as rotan slimit for furniture and craft industries.
Combined, these elements give Aceh a distinctive signature: rattan as culture, livelihood, and future industry. From historic shields and village weaving to modern furniture factories and training programs, rattan remains at the heart of Aceh’s craft identity.
