Among the personal stories and connections that have shaped the identity of Suak is an extensive collection of Lampung tapis, carefully gathered over more than three decades by one of the resort’s owners, Greg Pankhurst.

Having spent more than half his life in Indonesia, Greg has developed a deep connection to the country and, in particular, to the region of Lampung. Over the years, that connection has grown into a passion for its culture, craftsmanship and traditions and a strong desire to help preserve them.

Located on the southern tip of Sumatra, Lampung has a rich cultural heritage shaped in part by its position along the Sunda Strait and the maritime trading routes that connected the region with communities across Asia, the Middle East and Europe. The movement of people, materials and ideas through these routes contributed to the diverse traditions and distinctive textile heritage found in Lampung today.

Among its most recognisable traditions is the tapis, a handwoven textile deeply connected to the cultural and ceremonial life of Lampung. Traditionally worn and passed down through generations, tapis is distinguished by its intricate embroidery, elaborate motifs and use of metallic thread. Each piece reflects the skill and creativity of the people who made it, while carrying its own connection to the traditions and communities from which it came.

For Greg, these textiles represent more than beautiful examples of craftsmanship. They are tangible pieces of Lampung’s cultural heritage, traditions that deserve to be recognised, valued and preserved.

“I lived in Jabung and spent time getting to know the families there. Through those relationships, I began to learn the stories behind the tapis, where they came from, who made them and what they meant to the families who owned them. Many of the pieces I came across were from this area, and it was through these experiences that my interest in collecting began. I still collect tapis today, but only from Lampung. For me, it is about preserving these pieces and the stories and traditions that they carry.”

Today, Greg’s collection includes approximately 5,000 pieces, gathered over more than 30 years. While selected textiles are displayed at Suak Sumatera Resort, other pieces from the collection are preserved in Australia. Together, they form an extensive record of Lampung’s textile heritage and the traditions that have inspired Greg throughout his years in Indonesia.

At Suak, the collection has found a place within the story of the resort itself. Displayed throughout the rooms and spaces that make up Suak, the textiles offer guests an opportunity to encounter a small part of Lampung’s cultural heritage not simply as something to look at, but as part of the place they are visiting.

In this way, the tapis collection reflects something fundamental to Suak: a sense of place shaped by the people, stories, craftsmanship and traditions of Lampung.