Orang Seletar craft revival and coastal stewardship

Connecting Women, Culture, and Coastal Ecosystems

The indigenous Orang Laut Seletar live near mangroves and have developed a strong system of knowledge about their environment, which they use to sustainably access essential supplies from coastal ecosystems for everyday use and for spiritual and cultural practices. They tend these resources in the wild, thereby maintaining the health of coastal ecosystems. This human-nature symbiosis is exemplified in their weaving practice: various parts of coastal plants are sustainably harvested and processed to make utilitarian and decorative items for their own use or sale. But such practices are in decline as ready-made plastics become more popular, leading to human capital loss and increased solid waste. Furthermore, natural weaving materials are becoming scarcer due to coastal development. Still, a small group of Seletar women in Sungai Temon, Johor, perseveres in weaving for culture and nature because if they stopped, not only would their community face cultural erosion, but their home would as well, as less attention would be given to coastal plant resources, allowing coastal deforestation to continue unheeded. This project aims to enhance their environmental stewardship through cross-community and intergenerational knowledge transfer, the replanting of key coastal flora species, and the promotion of the gazettement of a cultural forest. The Orang Seletar people face an uncertain future. As land reclamation and urban development threaten their coastal home along the Straits of Johor, an ancient tradition - and the knowledge it carries risks disappearing forever.

This project revives Orang Seletar women's traditional weaving practices through intergenerational circles. By bringing together elders and youth, we're restoring not just a craft, but cultural identity, ecological stewardship, and community pride.

Why Weaving Matters

Weaving nyipa palm is far more than artistry. It embodies knowledge passed down through generations - an understanding of coastal ecosystems woven into every pattern and technique. When children learn to weave, they learn their connection to the sea, their home, and their heritage.

Reclaiming What's Theirs

Through participatory design, we're creating space for the Orang Seletar to lead this revival on their own terms. This isn't about preserving culture in a museum—it's about keeping it alive, thriving, and meaningful for generations to come.