PANGKALPINANG -- Amid the rapid tide of modernization, the Mapur Indigenous People remain steadfast in preserving their ancestral values. This cultural heritage, rooted for hundreds of years, has now found a new space to live and grow through the development of Gebong Memarong Traditional Village, initiated together with PT Timah Tbk.
Located in Dusun Air Abik, Gunung Muda Village, Bangka Regency, the Gebong Memarong Traditional Village has become known as a cultural education tourism destination for the Mapur Indigenous People. PT Timah, together with the Mapur community, continues to bring life to this area to preserve the traditions and local wisdom of the Mapur Indigenous People.
Since 2022, PT Timah and the Mapur Traditional Institution have been working to develop and safeguard this cultural heritage. Various activities have been introduced to enliven Gebong Memarong Traditional Village.
PT Timah’s support for the preservation of the Mapur Indigenous People goes beyond physical infrastructure. The company also equips the community with skills to manage the traditional village independently and sustainably.
Through training and mentoring, the community is taught cultural-based tourism management, capacity building programs, and provided with facilities to support cultural preservation.
PT Timah recognizes that cultural preservation is an important part of sustainable development. By strengthening the capacity of local human resources, Gebong Memarong Traditional Village is expected to become a center for cultural education, a valuable tourist destination, and a new source of income for the Mapur community.
PT Timah’s Department Head of Corporate Communication, Anggi Siahaan, stated that preserving culture, local wisdom, and traditions is part of the company’s social and environmental responsibility programs.
According to her, PT Timah has carried out various activities in the Gebong Memarong Traditional Village, such as batik-making training, tour guide training, decoupage training, and supporting the Nuju Jerami tradition.
“Through this collaboration, the company hopes that indigenous communities remain the main actors in preservation efforts. That is why we provide various training programs to strengthen their capacity, as they are the guardians of tradition and the key players in maintaining local wisdom,” Anggi said.
The Acting Chairman of the Mapur Traditional Institution, Asih Harmoko, said that since the establishment of Gebong Memarong Traditional Village, PT Timah has consistently supported and accompanied them.
“We hope PT Timah continues to be successful and keeps supporting cultural preservation programs not only for the Mapur community but also for other traditions so that the heritage of Bangka Belitung remains well preserved,” he said.
He noted that Gebong Memarong Traditional Village now frequently welcomes visits from students, tourists, and the general public, serving as an educational tourism spot for university and school students.
“We work together with universities and schools in Bangka Belitung. In 2025 alone, we’ve had more than 2,000 visits from young students,” he added.
Today, Gebong Memarong is not just a collection of traditional buildings standing tall, but also a home of hope—hope that culture and progress can walk side by side. That preserving heritage does not mean rejecting change, but rather creating a future firmly rooted in strong traditions.
