Bunga Tanjung
by Hanim Apeng
Embracing the beauty and rhythms of nature, the artist finds inspiration in the intricate motifs of Kelarai, a traditional textile art that reflects the harmony between craft, culture, and the natural world. Each thread and pattern carries the legacy of generations, translating centuries of cultural knowledge into visual form.
At the heart of this tapestry blooms the Bunga Tanjung, its delicate, fragrant flowers rendered with meticulous care and reverence. The blossoms and their enduring patterns do more than decorate—they tell a story of elegance, resilience, and quiet charm, connecting the viewer to the timeless traditions of Bornean artistry. Through this work, the artist invites us to pause, reflect, and appreciate the subtle beauty woven into the world around us, reminding us of the grace and vitality inherent in nature and culture alike.
About the Community
The Jakun-Jahut are an Indigenous Orang Asli group primarily found in the southern and central regions of Peninsular Malaysia. Traditionally forest dwellers, they have long lived in close harmony with nature, relying on the rainforest for sustenance, medicine, and shelter. Their deep knowledge of the land—rivers, plants, and wildlife—has been passed down through generations, forming the foundation of their cultural identity.
Social life in Jakun-Jahut communities revolves around kinship, mutual support, and communal activities, from farming and hunting to traditional crafts. Spiritual beliefs remain closely tied to the natural world, with customs, rituals, and oral traditions reflecting respect for ancestral spirits and the environment.
Despite the challenges of modernization, the Jakun-Jahut continue to preserve their language, stories, and cultural practices, contributing to Malaysia’s rich tapestry of Indigenous heritage while navigating contemporary life.
About the Artist
Hanim Apeng, widely known as Mak Intan, is an Orang Asli entrepreneur from the Jakun-Jahut tribe and the founder of Asli MakIntan Enterprise. Growing up as the fourth of seven siblings, she learned the art of traditional crafts from her parents, accompanying them into the forest to source wood and other natural materials for weaving and handicraft projects. This early immersion in her community’s craft traditions laid the foundation for her lifelong passion and expertise.
Over the years, Hanim honed her skills by attending classes and workshops, continually learning and refining her techniques. Today, she is a successful self-made entrepreneur, creating original Orang Asli handicrafts as well as homemade soaps, snacks, and upcycled products.
Beyond her own practice, Mak Intan is a committed community leader. She supports other Indigenous communities by collecting and selling their crafts, helping to sustain cultural knowledge and livelihoods. She is also an active member of Weaving Hopes, an arts and cultural initiative responding to climate degradation, which empowers Orang Asli youth and women to engage in climate action both locally and globally.
Through her craft, entrepreneurship, and advocacy, Hanim Apeng embodies the resilience, creativity, and leadership of the Jakun-Jahut people, bridging tradition with contemporary cultural and environmental consciousness.