Fragrance of
Tradition
by Kendy Mitot
This artwork honours bunga kantan (torch ginger flower), a vibrant and culturally significant plant in the traditional food practices of Sarawakâs Indigenous communities. Known for its bold colour, aromatic presence, and layered form, bunga kantan holds a special place in daily life and ceremonial gatherings.
It is more than an ingredient, it is a symbol of identity, heritage, and the connection between people and land. Often harvested from forest edges or cultivated near homes, bunga kantan reflects sustainable traditions and deep ecological knowledge.
Its preparation and use in Indigenous cooking are linked to family memory, intergenerational exchange, and community resilience.
The visual composition is inspired by the rhythmic structure of the flower, its unfolding petals representing the layered stories within each culture.
This piece pays tribute to the living heritage embedded in Indigenous foodways, where scent, colour, and taste are carriers of meaning, and where tradition is kept alive through shared meals and ancestral wisdom.
