Heritage in every thread
Every 2 October, Indonesia celebrates batik, recognized by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage of humanity since 2009. At Universitas Hasanuddin, the country’s textile traditions, from Wajo silk to Bira weaving, live on through research, community work, and student creativity.
Old motifs, new designs
Lippa Sabbe in the PIMNAS logo
The logo of the 38th National Student Scientific Week (PIMNAS), launched by Unhas as host, features Lippa Sabbe, a silk sarong with intricate woven patterns: a reminder that student projects demand care and patience, like weaving thread into a masterpiece.
Shibori meets Lontara
Three Unhas inventors, Dr. Irma Andriyani, Dr. Zulfitriyani Dwiyanti Mustaka, and Dr. Asmi Citra Malina, infused woven Shibori with the character of Lontara, the Bugis-Makassar script. The Takalar Regency Government, their development partner, already uses the cloth, and its motifs are going through patent registration.
National Batik Day in Bira
On National Batik Day 2021, 15 students from the PHP2D Gemah team of the Faculty of Marine Science and Fisheries held the Bira Cultural Festival in Bulukumba to raise the quality of Bira weaving.
The science behind the cloth
Silk research with BRIN
The Research Center for Applied Zoology at the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) began exploring collaboration with wildlife and silk researchers at the Faculty of Forestry, including research support and scholarships for further study.
Natural dyes for silk
The student study “Exploring Eco-Friendly, Biomass-Based Natural Silk Dyes”, supervised by Syahidah, Ph.D., was one of 21 Unhas teams to qualify for PIMNAS 2019.
A silk center in Assorajang
Through the Sabe Silk Production Center program, an Unhas PHP2D team encouraged residents of Assorajang Village, Wajo, to run their own silk-weaving businesses and create products such as bags and sandals.
Lipa Bira for the creative industry
The program “Creative Industry-Based Optimization of Lipa Bira” was one of six Unhas student programs to win 2021 PHP2D grants, focused on the distinctive weaving craft of Bira Village, Bulukumba.
Silk from upstream to downstream
When Unhas brought its 64th Dies Natalis community service program to Wajo, the Regent of Wajo expressed hope that collaboration with Unhas, especially in managing silk from upstream to downstream, would restore the glory of South Sulawesi weaving.
From silkworm to sarong
In 2019, the Regent of Wajo said Wajo’s 13,000 silk artisans depended heavily on raw materials from China and asked Unhas to help cultivate silkworm eggs. The Faculty of Forestry also set up Kampung Rimba, an innovation center for non-timber forest products that develops silkworm rearing and teaches students to build businesses from silk products.
Culture that speaks to the world
Toraja songs win in Auckland
The Unhas Student Choir won first place in the Folklore and Indigenous Music with Choreography category at the 2024 World Choir Games in Auckland, New Zealand, scoring 91.50 with the Toraja songs Pa’ Teinde and Langkan Maega. At least 40 countries competed. “Apart from the competition itself, these events are a great way to introduce Indonesia, Makassar and Hasanuddin University,” said coach Ari Anshari Sanusi.
ASEAN LUMINA in Makassar
From 11 to 14 August 2026, Unhas hosted Southeast Asian youth exploring history, manuscripts, and the future of Indonesian cultural heritage.
Traditional dress from around the world
At UNHAS DAY 2026, more than 40 international students introduced new students to their countries’ cultures through traditional attire, signature foods, and performances.
The Bissu on the national stage
Teater Kampus Unhas brought the Bugis tradition of the Bissu to the stage in Arajang, winning Second Best Performance and Best Artistic Director at FESTAMASIO XII.
