Simarantihan Hamlet, Suo-Suo village, is located in the middle of the forest that hugs the PT Alam Bukit Tigapuluh concession in landscape Bukit Tigapuluh National Park. In this hamlet, Talang Mamak women live a life with limitations.
Talang Mamak, as an indigenous community, faces the challenges of living in a production forest area of 38,665 hectares. However, along the road to Simarantihan hamlet, there are resam plants with potential that local residents are not fully aware of. Resam, which thrives in the shade, became the focus when the Historical Heritage Work Association (KKI Warsi) together with Abdi Nur guided Talang Mamak women in resam craft training.
On September 14-17 2023, Talang Mamak women were trained in using the potential of using this resam plant. They are not only taught to process resam into hats, bags and bungs. But also empowered with knowledge and skills that can open doors to new opportunities. This three-day training involved women from the Women Farmers (KWT) Rimpahan Polirien Simarantihan group. They enthusiastically understand how to make good use of resam.
Sony, chairman of KWT Rimpahan Polirien, expressed his gratitude for the Talang Mamak women being able to take part in this training. Not only because the raw materials are easy to take, but also because of the hope of additional business for them. Minar, a member of KWT, added his hope that city residents could contribute by buying their handicraft products. Realizing that they are the front guard in protecting forest areas.
Abdi Nur, as the trainer, gave extraordinary appreciation to the enthusiasm and intelligence of the Talang Mamak women in participating in the training. He invited KKI Warsi and local governments to support their craft products, seeing the economic potential that could be generated.
“After training, they will not only identify resam plants in their area as raw materials. But it will also convey steps to traditional leaders for further development. "They realized that resam is not only a plant, but also an economic potential that can change their lives," explained Abdi Nur.
Ari Muhammad, a companion from KKI Warsi, is committed to advocating for Talang Mamak women, hoping to get support for further training. He dreams that their crafts can be marketed widely. Bringing new hope and opening the door to a brighter future for a community that is so persistent and has great potential.
