Living culture apprenticeship

Live at LAKU and learn Indonesian craft through daily practice.

Stay for 10 days to 3 months in Mawun, Lombok, learning directly from Indonesian Culture Keepers through hands-on craft, cultural context, and the daily rhythm of LAKU.

10 days minimumEUR 20/day or EUR 37/day with stay + mealsBeginner friendlyCompletion letter included
Apply for ApprenticeshipView Short Workshops
Traditional weaving practice during a LAKU Culture apprenticeship in Lombok

What you join

A practice-based program for people who want more than a one-day workshop.

The LAKU apprenticeship is a daily learning path with experienced Culture Keepers. You choose a traditional craft focus, practice consistently, learn the cultural context behind the work, and progress as far as your program duration allows.

Minimum 10 daysUp to 3 monthsDaily guided practiceMawun, Lombok

Program options

Choose the support level that fits your stay.

Both options include daily craft learning, weekly side activities, materials, and a completion letter from your Culture Keeper and LAKU.

Option 1

The Apprenticeship

EUR 20 per day, minimum 10 days

  • Daily practice with an experienced Culture Keeper
  • Selected traditional craft learning shaped by your duration
  • Weekly side activities such as slow food, tea, and outdoor movie nights
  • Materials, workshops, and completion letter included
Apply for this option
Option 2

Apprenticeship, Meals, and Accommodation

EUR 37 per day, minimum 10 days

  • Everything in The Apprenticeship program
  • Accommodation at LAKU during the program
  • Two meals per day plus laundry support
  • A more immersive daily rhythm inside LAKU Culture
Apply for this option

Your fee helps pay Culture Keepers fairly, buy craft materials, maintain the learning space, support meals and accommodation, and keep traditional knowledge active through daily practice.

Daily learning

Build skill through repetition, correction, and cultural context.

Apprentices learn and practice selected traditional craft work with an experienced Culture Keeper every day. The goal is not passive observation. It is steady hands-on practice shaped by your chosen craft, your available time, and the level of mastery you can realistically reach.

Level 1

Observer-Practitioner

For shorter stays, you learn the story, tools, materials, and basic movements of your chosen craft.

Level 2

Guided Maker

With more repetition, you can complete simple steps with close guidance and understand the rhythm of the work.

Level 3

Independent Beginner

You begin making parts of the process independently while still receiving correction from your Culture Keeper.

Level 4

Developing Apprentice

Longer stays allow stronger technique, better material judgment, and more confidence across the craft process.

Level 5

Culture Keeper Pathway

For the longest programs, the completion letter can record deeper practice, consistency, and readiness for continued learning.

A day at LAKU

Know what daily life feels like before you apply.

The exact rhythm changes by craft, season, Culture Keeper availability, and your energy. Most days balance focused practice with rest, meals, local life, and informal moments around the house.

Morning

Arrive, eat, or settle into the house

Start with breakfast if you are staying at LAKU, or arrive for the day with enough time to prepare for practice.

Late morning

Guided craft practice

Work directly with your Culture Keeper on tools, materials, technique, correction, and the cultural meaning behind the process.

Afternoon

Independent repetition and rest

Repeat what you learned, continue simple tasks, ask questions, rest, or move through local life around Mawun.

Evening

Shared moments when scheduled

Depending on the week, join dinner, tea, slow food, outdoor movie nights, or conversations with Culture Keepers and the LAKU team.

Craft focus

Choose an interest, then LAKU confirms what is possible for your dates.

Apprentices can share one main interest or several. The team matches your duration, level, and dates with available Culture Keepers and materials.

Weaving

Learn materials, patterns, hand rhythm, and beginner steps before moving into more independent repetition.

Batik

Practice motif preparation, wax handling, dye awareness, and the patience needed for layered textile work.

Pottery

Understand clay preparation, shaping, surface detail, drying, and the discipline of repeating small forms.

Bamboo or rattan

Explore natural materials, basic joining, hand tools, and the logic behind useful woven or built objects.

Culinary culture

Learn ingredients, preparation rhythm, local food stories, and the social meaning carried through shared meals.

Natural materials

Work with locally available fibers, plants, colors, and textures while learning why material knowledge matters.

Details of hands-on craft materials used during a LAKU apprenticeship

Where you stay

Choose daily learning only, or make LAKU your home during the program.

The EUR 37/day option is for applicants who want the most immersive rhythm: stay at LAKU, eat with the house, receive laundry support, and move naturally between practice, rest, and community moments.

Accommodation at LAKUTwo meals per dayLaundry supportArrival details after confirmation

Good fit

This is for you if...

  • You want slow hands-on learning, not a quick tourist class.
  • You respect local knowledge and Culture Keeper guidance.
  • You can practice patiently and consistently every day.
  • You are comfortable with cultural immersion and simple daily rhythms.

Not the best fit

This may not be for you if...

  • You need a formal academic certificate or university credit.
  • You expect instant mastery after a few sessions.
  • You mainly want sightseeing with occasional activities.
  • You require a luxury stay or highly private retreat setup.

Life at LAKU

The apprenticeship also includes a weekly rhythm of shared cultural activities.

Depending on the week, apprentices may join side activities such as outdoor slow food experiences, tea ceremonies, outdoor movie nights, conversations with Culture Keepers, and community moments around the house.

Slow food experiencesTea ceremoniesOutdoor movie nightsCulture Keeper conversations
Ibu Wahyu guiding hands-on weaving practice at LAKU Culture

Completion

Leave with a record of what you practiced and the level you reached.

At completion, apprentices receive a mastery level letter from the Culture Keeper and LAKU. It describes the craft focus, practice duration, cultural context, and the level of independence reached during the program.

Start an Application

How applying works

The application is a conversation, not an instant booking.

Send your preferred dates, package, and craft interests. LAKU will check availability and help shape a program that fits your goals and the Culture Keeper schedule.

Step 1

Send your application

Share dates, duration, package choice, craft interests, and why you want to join.

Step 2

LAKU checks availability

The team confirms Culture Keeper schedules, materials, accommodation, and what is realistic for your stay.

Step 3

Confirm the plan

You agree on the package, dates, craft focus, arrival details, and any important needs before booking.

Step 4

Begin practice

Arrive in Mawun, settle in, meet your Culture Keeper, and start the daily rhythm of learning.

Questions

Before you apply.

What is the minimum duration?

The apprenticeship requires a minimum of 10 days. Longer stays can continue up to 3 months.

Is this a volunteer program or a paid learning program?

This is a paid learning program. Your daily fee supports Culture Keeper time, materials, workshops, meals or accommodation when selected, and the sustainability of LAKU.

What is included in the EUR 20 per day option?

It includes daily Culture Keeper practice, selected traditional craft learning, weekly side activities, materials, workshops, and a completion letter.

What is included in the EUR 37 per day option?

It includes the apprenticeship plus accommodation at LAKU, two meals per day, laundry support, weekly side activities, materials, workshops, and completion documentation.

Do I need craft experience before applying?

No. Beginners can apply, but the program is best for people who are patient, respectful, consistent, and ready for daily hands-on practice.

Can I choose the craft I want to learn?

You can share your interests in the application. LAKU will confirm what is possible based on Culture Keeper, material, and date availability.

What language is instruction in?

Instruction depends on the Culture Keeper and LAKU team available during your stay. Share your language needs in the application so LAKU can confirm what support is possible.

Can I work remotely during the stay?

You can ask about this when applying. The program expects daily practice, so remote work should fit around the apprenticeship rhythm rather than replace it.

Are materials included?

Yes. Materials needed for the agreed apprenticeship practice are included in both program options.

Can dietary needs be handled?

Share dietary needs in your application. LAKU will confirm what can be supported before you finalize the stay-and-meals option.

What happens if my preferred craft is unavailable?

LAKU will suggest another available craft focus, different dates, or a realistic alternative based on Culture Keeper schedules and materials.

What do I receive after completion?

You receive a mastery level letter from your Culture Keeper and LAKU describing your practice, duration, cultural context, and the level reached.

Apply

Tell LAKU when you want to come and what you want to practice.

Share your preferred dates, program length, package choice, craft interests, and a little about your background. The LAKU team will follow up with availability and next steps.

Come with patience, curiosity, and respect. LAKU will help match your dates, craft interest, and level with the right Culture Keeper.