Bamboo Supports Economic Sovereignty of the Indigenous Community of Tigawasa Village, Bali

The Indigenous Community of Tigawasa Village, located in Buleleng Regency, Bali, is a community rich in culture and tradition, the spirit of independence is felt strongly here. This village is famous for its bamboo crafts which are a source of economy as well as cultural identity. For years, they have managed their natural resources and local economy in a balanced way, preserving nature while ensuring the welfare of the community. Over time, the Indigenous Community of Tigawasa realized the need for more structured and collective management to strengthen the local economy sustainably. As a strategic step, they decided to establish the Tigawasa Mesari Customary Village Business Entity (BUPDA) as a forum for independent and organized economic management.

With the support of Nusantara Fund Direct Funding and PW AMAN Bali, BUPDA Tigawasa Mesari was established to become a village economic center with collective management. The business entity was designed as a means to manage the production and marketing of bamboo crafts, as well as coordinate the provision of raw materials for local craftsmen. A total of 40 people, consisting of community leaders, Para Ulu, Prajuru Desa Adat, Kelian, Kadus, and representatives of the Tigawasa Traditional Village community, played an active role in the formation of BUPDA.

The BUPDA Tigawasa Mesari development program in Tigawasa Village began with various preparations involving the indigenous community and important village figures. They compiled an organizational structure including the positions of supervisors, administrators, and research and development teams, then ratified through a Decree (SK) on the Establishment of BUPDA. In addition, pararem or customary regulations were also established as the legal basis for BUPDA, as a guideline in managing business activities so that they are in line with customary principles.

Together, BUPDA members also set up a shop as a distribution center where bamboo crafts from local craftsmen were collected, stored, and ready to be distributed to the wider market. BUPDA's main activity in the first year was to ensure a supply of high-quality bamboo raw materials was available to craftsmen, and prices became more affordable. With a collective raw material procurement system, BUPDA was able to purchase bamboo in large quantities, not only reducing costs for craftsmen but also maintaining the quality of the materials. Craftsmen who previously had difficulty in obtaining a supply of quality bamboo are now helped by the organization of raw materials, so they can focus on the craft-making process without worrying about the scarcity of quality raw materials.

BUPDA also focuses on product marketing. To support marketing, the BUPDA team develops promotional strategies through information dissemination in nearby communities and expanding marketing networks to the district level. In this process, BUPDA members are trained to interact directly with consumers, understand market needs, and improve the quality of bamboo craft products to suit buyer preferences. BUPDA acts as an intermediary for craftsmen who want to sell their products but face limitations in terms of distribution and promotion.

To further improve operational effectiveness, BUPDA held special training in business management and administration for members. They learned how to create production plans, manage business finances, and transaction recording techniques so that every income and expense is recorded clearly and transparently. The training strengthened members' skills in managing their businesses and built trust between BUPDA and the Tigawasa Indigenous Community, because every process and workflow was carried out with full transparency. BUPDA administrators were also encouraged to conduct regular evaluations of business performance and product marketing, so that they could continue to adapt to market dynamics and adjust marketing strategies.

With the existence of BUPDA, indigenous peoples began to see the benefits of collective economic management, the benefits are greater than the individual management that was previously widely used. They realized that by working together, management can be more stable and sustainable. The collective economic system teaches people the importance of shared responsibility, where each member plays a role in the success of the joint venture.

The establishment of BUPDA Tigawasa Mesari is a strategic step in supporting the independence and sustainability of Indigenous Peoples. The Tigawasa Indigenous Peoples practice responsible and efficient management of local resources, such as bamboo which is harvested and managed with an emphasis on environmental sustainability. With organized collective management, BUPDA Tigawasa Mesari has succeeded in showing that a collective economic approach based on local wisdom can be a solution to improve community welfare, without having to sacrifice the preservation of nature and culture.