In earlier time palm leaf (lontar) has been utilized as a media to put inscriptions and chronicles of ancient times. It has told the Balinese the values of ancient virtues that had led them to a beautifully civilized society, which hopefully will last until eternity. Nowadays it is no longer used to put any inscription for practical use, as books and internet are more comprehensive, accessible and affordable. But as tradition, it has been preserved and the making still practiced in some institutes, especially in IHDI (Institute of Indonesian Hindu Dharma).

Aside of it purpose as a media, lontar is also used as a weaving material to produce handicraft such as: bags, mats, dish mat, boxes, and for the steady orders as well as for ceremonial accessories. It can produce a wide range of exotic or antique looking good to furnish your home, thank for its ivory white natural color, or it may be colored in exotic bright magenta, green or yellow and other Balinese typical color.

Lontar is acquired from Karangasem or from Lombok, an island over the Bali Strait where lontar tree grows. In the case of handling a raw material, the lontar leaf need to get rid off the bone, soaked in the water for 2 days so that they become more pliable, colored by boiling in a color solution, patted for 1 day. If considered necessary, the lontar is then split in to finer plies.If you have an interest on lontar product, you may visit Bona Village in Gianyar Regency.