At Karya Kreatif Indonesia 2026, Tobatenun was selected to take part in Citra Nusa, a Bank Indonesia programme that encourages innovation, learning, and wider opportunities for Indonesia’s traditional textile businesses. 

With 580 selected participants, the programme created a space to explore different approaches to textile innovation.

A New Exploration in Natural Colour

Tobatenun presented Partonun Kreasi Checkerboard Lavender at Citra Nusa. The piece began with an exploration of natural colour using an overdyeing technique combining secang wood and indigo, creating a range of purple tones from mauve to deep purple.

The colour was then translated into the Partonun Checkerboard motif, inspired by the game of chess within Batak tradition and its ideas of strategic thinking, patience, and anticipating the next move.

Learning Through the Process

The Citra Nusa programme also included bootcamps, workshops, and mentoring sessions, giving participants the opportunity to develop both their textile and business knowledge.

The sessions explored natural dye techniques, colour consistency, and documentation, alongside entrepreneurship topics such as understanding customers, developing value propositions, marketing, and market expansion.

Continuing the Work

The experience gave Tobatenun a chance to learn from others, exchange ideas, and gain new perspectives on working with traditional textiles.

It also adds to Tobatenun’s ongoing exploration of how Batak weaving, cultural knowledge, and new ideas can come together in contemporary textiles."