The Dayak communities of Borneo & IWANI

August 29, ‎2024 • Iwani

The Dayak communities of Borneo & IWANI

Partnering with the Dayak people of Borneo to protect culture, forests, and future generations.

The Dayak are Indigenous peoples of Borneo, living in and around the island’s vast interior forests. For centuries, their livelihoods, culture, and identity have been deeply tied to the rainforest. The forest provides food, materials, medicine, and spiritual meaning and in return, the Dayak protect and manage it sustainably.

One of the rainforest’s most valued resources is Illipe butter, pressed from the nuts of the tengkawang tree. Harvesting and processing these nuts has long been part of Dayak tradition.

Why IWANI works with local harvesters

Our partnership with Dayak communities is guided by three commitments:

Respect for traditional knowledge The Dayak have cultivated and processed Illipe nuts for generations. Their methods preserve the forest and ensure natural regeneration;
Local value creation
By sourcing directly from harvesters, we help sustain rural livelihoods and support community-led conservation;
Responsibility for natural resources When communities benefit from the forest, they are motivated to protect it from threats such as logging and land conversion.
This ensures that every ingredient we use supports both people and ecosystems.

Natural resources with purpose

Illipe butter and other locally sourced materials found in IWANI skincare originate in one of the planet’s richest ecosystems. By choosing these ingredients, we help maintain biodiversity, protect Indigenous culture, and keep value within local communities.
Your skincare becomes part of a wider story: one that honours heritage, safeguards the rainforest, and supports ethical, traceable production.

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Our ongoing commitment

We continue to work closely with Dayak partners to:

source responsibly
ensure fair compensation
support forest conservation
champion Indigenous stewardship

Together, we aim to create skincare that respects the land, the people, and the future.

On behalf of Team IWANI,
Iwin Insani