“The women of Sumba cannot be called the women of Sumba if they cannot weave.”
Tangerang, 7 February 2026 – That sentence was said by Diana Kalera Lena, a woman from Sumba, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT). Diana was quoted while expressing her views during a podcast in a session of Mini Studio BCA Expoversary 2026, Thursday (5/2/2026).
According to Diana, weaving is not just a skill. Instead, it is a tradition that has rooted itself in the lives of women in Sumba since an early age. Diana is no exception to this. “The process of weaving, from the beginning stages until it has formed a sheet of fabric, requires a long process. Since I was 6 years-old I have started helping my mother, and then started weaving myself by age 17.”
The fact that the tradition of weaving is so intertwined with the lives and identities of the women in Sumba has not been looked over by PT Bank Central Asia (BCA). Through the training program wastra warna alam, Bakti BCA provides guidance for the weavers of Sumba and collaborates with the Warna Alam Indonesia Group (WARLAMI). Diana was one of the weavers who was trained through that program.
This training program involves 50 participants from 4 communities, which are Kambatatana, Wukukalara, Kawangu, and Prai Kilimbatu, with participants aged between 25 - 45 years-old. The majority of participants are weaver women and are supported by the men’s involvement, especially for the development of patterns and the processing of natural dyes.
Diana plays a key role in the collaboration between the community of weavers where she lives and Bakti BCA. She is the first weaver of her community to join this training program, who then brought 13 more people from her village to join the program as well.
According to Diana, participation in this training program brings many benefits. One of them is the access to knowledge regarding recipes and processes of natural dyeing, which have so far not been passed down in an orderly way despite being part of an ancestral heritage.
“Not all weavers know the secret recipe from our ancestors because these recipes weren’t published. Ever since joining Bakti BCA’s program, we were taught about these natural dyes,” she said.
So far, the weavers have been able to produce weavings. However, some still rely on synthetic dyes due to limited knowledge surrounding the process of creating natural dyes. Through the wastra warna alam training program by Bakti BCA, that knowledge is able to be disseminated in a more structured way. Weavers are introduced to natural ingredients, as well as the stages of processing the dye and applying it to thread and fabric, therefore allowing them to master the whole process of production.
The knowledge gained from this program has helped weavers produce valuable pieces of art which have become a source of income. The use of natural dyes not only strengthens the cultural values of Sumba, but has also pushed for a more eco-friendly practice.
Diana hopes that moving forward, Sumba’s weavings can have economic value, especially after being seen as just souvenirs and ceremonial instruments for weddings or funerals. She also hopes that with Bakti BCA’s help, the community of weavers in Sumba can attract international attention towards an ancestral, cultural heritage that has been preserved to this day.
“I have felt the benefits. As a wife, the income from weaving can help my husband, as well as fund my children’s education. This cultural heritage surely has to be passed down to the next generation,” Diana said.
EVP Corporate Communication & Social Responsibility BCA Hera F Haryn said that Bakti BCA is not just trying to impact individuals and communities. More than that, Bakti BCA strives to provide access to products made by communities so that they can be known by more people, and reach a larger market.
According to Hera, the weavers of Sumba are hands that preserve the cultural heritage of Indonesia, and they should receive support. Through Bakti BCA’s training programs, the company wants to ensure that the skill of weaving not only is preserved and continues on, but can also compete in the modern market.
“This initiative can hopefully strengthen the position of Sumba’s weavings as an everlasting cultural symbol, as well as open wider economic opportunities for local craftsmen,” Hera said.
Picture Information:
The Inspirational Story of a Weaver Woman from Sumba in BCA Expoversary 2026 - Sumba Weaver Diana Kalera Lena tells the story of the tradition of weaving in sumba during a podcast session of Mini Studio BCA Expoversary 2026, Thursday, 5 February in ICE BSD, Tangerang. Alongside other local champions from Bakti BCA’s programs, Diana elaborates on how BCA has provided training for groups of weavers in Sumba through the Wastra Warna Alam program, which is part of Bakti BCA’s program.
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About PT Bank Central Asia Tbk (as of December 31, 2025)
BCA is one of Indonesia's leading banks, focusing on transaction banking and providing credit facilities and financial solutions for corporate, commercial, SME, and consumer segments. As of the end of December 2025, BCA serves 43 million customer accounts and processes more than 115 million transactions daily, supported by 1,270 branch offices, 20,163 ATMs, as well as internet & mobile banking services and the Halo BCA contact center, which is accessible 24 hours a day. BCA's presence is supported by a number of subsidiaries that focus on vehicle financing, Sharia banking, securities, general and life insurance, digital banking, and venture capital. BCA is committed to building long-term relationships with customers, prioritizing mutual interests, and creating a positive impact on society at large. With more than 27,000 employees, BCA's vision is to become the main bank of choice for the community, serving as an important pillar of the Indonesian economy.
PT BANK CENTRAL ASIA TBK
Group Corporate Communication and Social Responsibility - CCR
Corporate Communication
Address : Jl. MH Thamrin No.1, Menara BCA Lt. 22. Jakarta 10310
Phone : (021) 2358-8000
Fax : (021) 2358-8339
Email : corcom_bca@bca.co.id
