To Strengthen the Product Identity and Economic Value of Local Textiles, an Unsri Community Service Team Trains Songket Artisans in Limbang Jaya to Develop Branding and Packaging

The Community Service Team at Sriwijaya University (Unsri) carried out an empowerment program for songket weavers in Limbang Jaya Village, Tanjung Batu Subdistrict, Ogan Ilir Regency, in August 2026. Led by Dr. Bambang Suprihatin, M.Si., this initiative aims to bridge the gap between local traditions and the demands of the modern market without compromising the local cultural identity. Amid the onslaught of mass-produced textile products and fierce competition in the regional handicraft industry, this program serves as a strategic meeting point between the academic world, cultural preservation, and the development of the rural creative economy.

For the people of Limbang Jaya Village, a piece of songket fabric is not merely a clothing item; it holds collective memories, prayers, and a cultural language passed down across generations. Every motif, color combination, and weaving pattern carries philosophical values closely tied to traditional ceremonies, weddings, and the worldview of the people of South Sumatra. However, to survive and thrive in the era of the creative economy, the superior quality of traditional weaving must be complemented by a visually appealing image and product promotion strategies capable of attracting modern consumers.

Through a series of intensive training and mentoring sessions, the Unsri team equipped the artisans with a deep understanding of branding concepts, logo design, packaging design, and strategies for building a sustainable product image. Participants were taught how elements of color, typography, and visual symbols can serve as the initial narrative representing the unique character of Limbang Jaya songket. The mentoring was conducted in a hands-on manner so that the artisans could translate the philosophical values of traditional motifs into a professional visual identity that is easily recognizable by the market.

Through this approach, product packaging undergoes a functional transformation from merely a physical wrapper to a cultural showcase that tells the story of the origins, the intricacies of the creative process, and the high artistic value behind every piece of fabric. The Head of the Community Service Team, Dr. Bambang Suprihatin, M.Si., emphasized that the preservation of cultural heritage and the improvement of economic well-being are not mutually exclusive; rather, they reinforce one another, much like the warp and weft threads in a songket weave.

The concrete outcomes of this community service program include the development of a brand identity concept and packaging design prototypes that are ready for implementation by the artisan community as the foundation for long-term marketing. The presence of the Unsri academic community in Limbang Jaya Village underscores the role of universities as strategic partners of the community in strengthening a creative economic ecosystem rooted in local wisdom, ensuring that ancestral heritage remains alive and serves as a source of well-being for future generations.