Rumbia

Rumbia, its leaves are more than just a roof covering for Acehnese houses. They have long supported the livelihoods, including Dahlan, an elderly man who still faithfully gathers them to be crafted into roofs by local artisans. Today, rumbia groves have been sold off and buried beneath housing developments. The trees that once maintained moisture and stored groundwater are disappearing. The ecosystem is shifting, livelihoods are vanishing, and a humble yet vital local heritage is slowly being eroded.