Bali

Tenganan :: Seraya

The spectacular geringsing textiles of Tenganan Pegeringsingan are produced by the double-ikat method, an incredibly time-demanding process known to only a handful of weavers around the world. With the geringsing tradition currently suffering from over-commercialization, Threads of Life, through the work of the Textile Arts Center, seeks to educate collectors as to what makes a truly spectacular geringsing. This art is now so market driven that only the market can demand a return to traditional standards.

Bajawa

In Bajawa, Flores, rare lawo butu beaded sarongs are used only during the animation ceremonies for new clan houses and ancestral shrines. Mama Katharina was taught the art of making lawo butu by an ancestor in a series of dreams. For fifteen years she alone maintained the art. Now, in partnership with Threads of Life, she can continue her tradition and support her family.

Lembata

In isolated Lamalera on the remote island of Lembata complicated systems of mutual help are reinforced by the rituals of marriage. Central to these rites is an exchange of goods during which the bride-givers pass spectacular kawetek nai telo ikat sarongs to the bride-takers. Threads of Life formed and sponsors the Lamalera weaversı cooperative to revive the near-extinct kawetek nai telo weaving tradition.

On the ceremonial textiles worn in East Sumba animal and plant motifs are combined with geometric patterns and ethnographic symbolism. What to the western eye is artistic, even fanciful, for the Sumbanese forms the basis of a complicated literacy that underpins both their culture and the animistic merapu religion. Tamu Rambu, daughter of the last king of Pau, is both a master weaver and a keeper of tradition. With the assistance of Threads of Life she is working to fulfil her fatherıs wish that the stories associated with the textile motifs be recorded before the oral tradition is lost.

Toraja

The vibrant Torajan culture of Sulawesi once supported a flourishing textile tradition. Sekomandi textiles, with their distinctive hook-and-lozenge motifs, are still used as ceremonial decorations. The contemporary art, however, relies on aniline dyes and has lost much of its diversity. With the aim of restoring this stunning art form Threads of Life staff make frequent five-day treks into the highland rainforest seeking out weavers who can still make sekomandi in the traditional way.

Timor

The textiles of Timor express a startling degree of visual and technical diversity. In some areas intricate hook-and-lozenge ikat patterns predominate. Elsewhere clearly anthropomorphic and zoomorphic images appear. Besides warp ikat, various floating and supplementary weave, slit tapestry, and warp wrap techniques are employed to striking effect. Color use varies considerably too, with some areas using deep indigo blues where other districts prefer neon-bright synthetic dyes.