Toll road construction threatens traditional weaver community in Indonesia

Dewi, a 39 year old weaver, produces traditional songket textiles in Nagari Pandai Sikek, Tanah Datar, West Sumatra.

She uses an old loom inherited from her grandmother to create intricate red and gold patterns that are sold both locally in Bukittinggi and internationally to countries like Malaysia. Dewi employs other local artisans who work from their homes, providing them with materials and paying them based on the complexity and size of the finished fabric.

The Indonesian government's Priority Infrastructure Provision Acceleration Committee has designated a new toll road as a National Strategic Project. This project aims to build a 244 kilometer highway connecting Padang and Pekanbaru. The construction plans involve a route that passes through the Pandai Sikek area, causing Dewi and other local weavers to worry about the future of their craft and community.