Mahdalena

Mahdalena sits on the wooden floor in the jasmine-scented living room, preparing Kembang Barenteng, a flower decoration for religious offerings and cultural ceremonies. Mahdalena and her family have been running Kembang Barenteng business for four generations. Almost all cultural ceremonies in the Banjarmasin area, from weddings to funeral services, use these Kembang Parenting arrangements. It is historically believed by the locals that Kembang Barenteng was created by a princess who was expelled from the palace and needed to make a living by selling flower arrangements. Similar to Mahdalena, Kembang Barenteng has also been a lifeline for her family for generations. Now that she learned better business skills, Kembang Parenting is not only a means to survive but has transformed into the source of her family’s prosperity.