West Sumba, 4 September 2026 – Amid the rolling hills of West Sumba, East Nusa Tenggara, the traditional village of Prai Ijing stands as a living space that preserves its historical legacy, megalithic traditions, and local wisdom. Rows of traditional houses with soaring roofs (Umma Kalada), the warm smiles of the villagers, and the sound of handlooms (ATBM) create an authentic charm that welcomes every visitor. As one of the Desa Bakti BCA, the Prai Ijing Traditional Village is now ready to showcase its cultural richness in greater depth to the wider public.
Community-based tourism development in the Prai Ijing Traditional Village is aimed at sustainably optimizing local potential. Every tourist visit is designed not only to provide an immersive experience but also to have a direct impact on improving residents’ economic well-being and preserving local culture. Since receiving support from Bakti BCA in 2024, Prai Ijing has recorded a 26% increase in revenue by the end of 2025.
Hera F. Haryn, BCA EVP of Corporate Communication & Social Responsibility, explained that Bakti BCA’s guidance focuses on strengthening the village’s human resources and institutional capacity. “Every village possesses unique assets and characteristics that can serve as a foundation for sustainable growth. Through guidance and the development of local potential, BCA aims to empower the community to take the lead in managing their village. The hope is that the cultural and tourism potential of the Prai Ijing Traditional Village will continue to benefit the community while being preserved for future generations,” said Hera.
To provide a well-planned and comfortable experience for tourists, the Prai Ijing Tourism Development Group (Pokdarwis), in collaboration with Bakti BCA, offers two premier tour packages:
- Prai Ijing Full-Day Tour: This tour package is designed for tourists who wish to fully immerse themselves in traditional village life for 6–8 hours. For Rp430,000 per person, tourists are invited to take a guided tour of the village with a local guide to learn about the architecture of traditional houses and the village’s history, try traditional games, enjoy a lunch of local specialties, participate in a weaving workshop, and take photos wearing traditional Sumba attire. This package includes entrance fees, a local guide, snacks and lunch, a weaving workshop, traditional attire rental, and local souvenirs.
- Prai Ijing Heritage Tour: This tour package is ideal for travelers with limited time, lasting a maximum of 3 hours. For Rp250,000 per person, this package includes a historical tour of the traditional village, a weaving workshop, local snacks, a photo session in traditional attire, a local guide, and a souvenir.
Beyond its scenic beauty, the Prai Ijing Traditional Village harbors a vibrant cultural heritage. One unique attraction visitors can experience is the traditional game of Kagorokana Alu—a bamboo-based game of skill that reflects the joy and camaraderie of the local community.
In addition, tourists can witness firsthand the precision of the female artisans as they weave Sumba’s distinctive fabrics. Through a brief workshop, visitors are taught the process of arranging threads to create beautifully textured fabric imbued with philosophical meaning. These tourism activities also support the village’s MSME ecosystem, ranging from local food vendors and traditional costume rental services to souvenir artisans.
Tips for Exploring the Traditional Village of Prai Ijing
To make the most of your travel experience in the Bakti BCA Prai Ijing Village, travelers can prepare for their trip in the following ways:
- Hire a local guide for a more enriching experience. One option is to join one of the available tour packages.
- For a more authentic experience, travelers can spend the night and stay with local residents by booking a homestay package for 300,000 IDR per person per night, which includes three meals.
- Be sure to bring your camera or phone, as every corner of this village is worth capturing.
Picture Information 1 & 2:
BCA Bakti’s Commitment to Optimizing the Local Potential of the Prai Ijing Traditional Village – BCA EVP of Corporate Communication & Social Responsibility Hera F. Haryn (far right – Photo 1), discusses with the leadership of the Prai Ijing Tourism Awareness Group (Pokdarwis) while reviewing the development of the BCA Bakti Village in the Prai Ijing Traditional Village in West Sumba. Bakti BCA's support program focuses on strengthening the capacity of the village’s human resources and institutions to optimize local potential and drive sustainable economic growth for the community.
Picture Information 3 & 4:
Exploring Sumba’s Cultural Riches in the Bakti BCA Village of Prai Ijing – Set against a backdrop of traditional houses with soaring roofs (Umma Kalada), the Bakti BCA Village of Prai Ijing offers an immersive cultural experience that invites visitors to learn about traditional weaving, try their hand at the Kagorokana Alu game of skill, and delve into local wisdom.
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About Bakti BCA
Bakti BCA is the corporate social responsibility umbrella of PT Bank Central Asia Tbk (BCA), focused on creating positive impact and sustainable development in Indonesia. Through Bakti BCA, the company implements various programs in education, health, the environment, culture, and community empowerment. BCA offers programs such as BCA Berbagi Ilmu, Beasiswa Bakti BCA, and makeup training and coaching for Friends with Disabilities (Teman Tuli) to support the development of the younger generation in the education sector. Bakti BCA also operates in the health sector, including health social services, free check-ups, and stunting prevention campaigns. In the environmental sector, BCA supports biodiversity conservation through turtle conservation, orangutan rehabilitation, and the protection of endemic species such as the Javan Leopard. Through these initiatives, Bakti BCA reflects BCA's commitment to growing with the community and contributing to a more sustainable future.
About PT Bank Central Asia Tbk (as of 30 June 2026)
BCA is one of the leading banks in Indonesia focusing on transaction banking as well as providing credit facilities and financial solutions for corporate, commercial, SME, and consumer segments. At the end of June 2026, BCA served 42 million customer accounts and processed more than 124 million transactions daily, supported by 1.272 branch offices, 20.374 ATMs, as well as 24-hour internet & mobile banking services and Halo BCA contact center. BCA's presence is supported by several subsidiaries focusing on vehicle financing, Syariah 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 the wider community. With more than 27.600 employees, BCA's vision is to be the bank of choice and the mainstay of society, serving as an essential 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
Telephone : (021) 2358-8000
Fax : (021) 2358-8339
E-mail : corcom_bca@bca.co.id
