Sarawak : Daun Keropok

the Keropok is found in swampy areas all over Sarawak. The best are those found in good and clean riverine banks. The indigenous would harvest the leaves even though they are hard to get to as the leaves and the palms are full of thorns.






It is not easy to process the leaves because of the thorns. The harvestor, be it man or woman, need to peel off the thorns first and then lay the leaves down to dry, usuall for a few days.


Once dried, the leaves are put together and then a rough stitching is done.


the resulting material is conveniently used as a roofing for boats, a dividing wall for bathing area, and even a good wall for a house. Keropok is also a very suitable for making of mats and baskets.

With the rapid deforestation going on in Sarawak, the keropok will soon disappear and less useful and practical materials will be available.