Tas Pandan

The TAS PANDAN is a structured, open-top hand-carry bag fabricated entirely from dried and woven pandan leaves. Measuring 33.00 cm in width, 11.00 cm in height, and 35.00 cm in depth, this rectangular accessory provides a wide horizontal base with a shallow vertical profile. The total weight of the empty structure is 0.20 kg, making it exceptionally light for daily transport of personal belongings.

The primary material consists of natural pandan leaves, harvested, dried, and split into uniform strips before manual braiding. The coloration reflects the natural tones of cured pandan foliage, ranging from pale straw to muted beige, without the application of artificial dyes or synthetic finishes. The surface texture exhibits the characteristic grid pattern of traditional plaited plant fibers, showing the directional grain of the woven strands across every exterior and interior surface.

Construction relies on a continuous weaving method where the base and walls are formed from the same interconnected material rather than stitched fabric panels. The bottom panel measures 33.00 cm by 35.00 cm, forming a rigid horizontal platform that maintains its shape when placed on flat surfaces. The vertical walls rise 11.00 cm from this base, creating a shallow compartment suited for items that require a wide surface area rather than vertical stacking. The top rim is reinforced by folding and locking the loose ends of the pandan strips back into the weave, creating a thickened, stable edge that prevents fraying.

Two integrated loop handles are woven directly into the upper rim of the bag. These handles consist of braided pandan strands formed into fixed arches that do not articulate or extend. The drop length of the handles allows the bag to be carried comfortably by hand or forearm. Because the handles are an extension of the body’s primary weave rather than attached via metal rivets, stitching, or glued patches, the stress of the load is distributed evenly across the entire upper perimeter of the structure.

The interior compartment is entirely unlined, exposing the reverse side of the pandan weave. There are no internal pockets, dividers, zippers, or magnetic closures. The opening spans the full 33 cm by 35 cm dimensions of the top perimeter, allowing unrestricted access to the contents within. The rigidity of the dried plant material prevents the bag from collapsing inward when empty, allowing it to stand upright independently.

Maintenance of the TAS PANDAN requires avoiding prolonged exposure to moisture, as natural plant fibers absorb water and can weaken or develop mold if stored in damp conditions. Cleaning is performed by wiping the surface with a dry or slightly damp cloth followed by immediate air drying in a shaded, well-ventilated area. The absence of metal hardware, synthetic linings, and leather components means the entire object is composed of biodegradable botanical material.

Manufactured using manual basketry techniques, each individual TAS PANDAN exhibits minor variations in the tightness of the weave, exact dimensions, and natural color shading inherent to handmade plant-fiber goods. The physical footprint accommodates flat items such as books, documents, textiles, or shallow containers, matching the 35 cm depth and 33 cm width specifications. The 11 cm height restricts the accommodation of bulky, vertically oriented objects, aligning its utility with flat-storage and open-access carrying requirements.