The traditional culture that is practised in the village of Toro in Central Sulawesi is sadly dying out. Indeed, the number of craftsmen skilled in the art of working with bark cloth is dropping precipitously as younger members of the community become progressively less familiar with this traditional artform. In response to this decline, FORCLIME offered its support for efforts that are being made by the Toro Village Customary Women's Organization (OPANT) to preserve the culture of bark cloth production and its utilization as a handicraft of economic value, including as wall decorations, through a number of sharing sessions for women and students that were held at the Toro Village Traditional School. This activity took place between 25 - 27 March 2022 at the school and began with the planting of 200 seeds that will grow into the raw materials used to produce bark cloth, specifically the banyan tree (which is known as the nunu tree in the local language). Prior to the planting, the seeds had been prepared in natural polybags made from banana tree trunks and midribs.

During the activity, various discussions and experience sharing sessions were held that addressed:
- The types of products that can be created from bark cloth.
- The establishment and arrangement of women’s groups institutions that engage in bark cloth craft and entrepreneurship.
- The potential market for bark cloth crafts, including the forest management unit (KPH) gallery

In the wake of this sharing session, it is expected that the female students of the Toro Village Traditional School and the women of Toro will be able to boost their incomes through the production of bark cloth handicrafts. In addition, the village women have now assumed responsibility for the sustainability of the banyan tree, the source of the bark cloth material.

For more information, please contact:
Fikty Aprilinayati, Advisor for Sustainable Forest Management and Biosphere Reserve Management
Ismet Khaeruddin, Senior Advisor for the Biodiversity Focal Point for the KFW Forest Program 3 and Provincial Coordinator for Central Sulawesi