Empowering Women Through Craft: The Story of Bakung Asri and Virgin Coconut Oil
Crafting Change in Manggis
Behind every jar of body butter and every drop of coconut oil at Kaura lies a powerful story of resilience. In the village of Manggis, Bakung Asri, a women’s farming collective, is leading a quiet but profound transformation.
For generations, women in rural Bali were limited to secondary roles in agriculture. Today, with Kaura’s support, they are entrepreneurs, artisans, and community leaders.
The Coconut: Bali’s Wellness Elixir
Coconuts are more than fruit in Bali, they are life-giving. Used for food, health, and rituals, they symbolise abundance. At Kaura, Bakung Asri women handcraft virgin coconut oil (VCO) using time-honoured techniques: grating, fermenting, and pressing. Nothing goes to waste. The oil nourishes the body, while byproducts feed animals or fuel other crafts.
The result? A pure, sustainable product that reflects both tradition and innovation.
Beyond Beauty: The Impact on Women
Every purchase of VCO and every body-butter treatment at Kaura Spa directly supports these women, giving them income, confidence, and independence. Guests can join hands-on workshops to learn the process, gaining both a skill and a deeper appreciation for the people behind the product.
This is beauty with purpose, self-care that uplifts others.
A Model for Sustainable Livelihoods
Bakung Asri is more than a cooperative; it’s a blueprint for change. By nurturing women’s leadership, Kaura fosters resilience across the entire village, ensuring that the benefits of tourism ripple far beyond the retreat.
Final Thought
When you massage Kaura’s coconut oil into your skin, you’re not just nourishing yourself, you’re connecting to a story of empowerment, sustainability, and heritage.
