Gen Z carves Sundanese script onto lontar palm leaves

Dozens of young students and teachers recently engaged with a bygone era of literacy by learning to carve Sundanese script onto lontar palm leaves. This hands-on activity served as an introduction to Sundanese culture, offering a novel experience for the younger generation. Rahmat Sopian, a lecturer in Sundanese Literature at Universitas Padjadjaran, explained that such practices are a way to introduce culture and create new experiences. The event, held at the Museum Sri Baduga Bandung on Thursday, June 18, 2026, saw participants grappling with the intricate process. Young teacher Sonya Putri, 27, found the carving difficult, noting that the results were not immediately clear or neat. Kalishia, a student from SMAN 27 Bandung, also faced challenges, initially struggling to create clean incisions with the knife. Participants were advised to hold the knife directly at the tip for better results. The lontar leaves, sourced from Bali, are prepared for carving with a knife, and the inscriptions only become visible after being rubbed with oil from burnt candlenuts, which creates a black contrast.

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This practice becomes a way to introduce culture and become a new experience for the younger generation.