Weaving their way to better life

Weaving their way to better life

The tiny islands of the East Nusa Tenggara archipelago are known for the richness of its hand-woven textiles, or ikat.

In recent years, the ikat of Alor island have become widely known and valued as quality hand-woven textiles that use only natural materials, and have even entered the international market.

The women of Alor are the keepers and teachers of the traditional craft, and weaving skills are passed from mother to daughter through informal instruction and practice.

Completing a single ikat can take anywhere from four to six months -- from the initial step of separating the kapok to the final step of weaving the textile -- and villages generally specialize in a particular step of the production process.

Through weaving ikat, the women of Alor have not only found a way to improve their livelihood and lives, but also a means to preserve their cultural heritage.

Photo A: NTT

JP/P.J. Leo

Tree bark, the leaves of various plants and rhizomes are crushed to produced the natural dyes that give color to ikat. East Nusa Tenggara weavers are renowned for their use of only natural materials and traditional tools in producing the indigenous ikat.

Photo B:NTT

JP/P.J. Leo

Here, a woman presses kapok to loosen the fibers after they have been cleaned of dirt by hand.

Photo C: NTT

JP/P.J. Leo

Using a simple rod, the kapok is rolled into elongated batches to further separate the fibers.

Photo D: NTT

JP/P.J. Leo

The kapok is then spun patiently into strong thread on a traditional spinning wheel.

Photo E: NTT

JP/P.J. Leo

Several women work together to clean, crush and boil bark, leaves and other natural materials to produce dyes.

Photo F: NTT

JP/P.J. Leo

Kapok threads are dunked into the prepared dye, and will be strung out to dry naturally.

Photo G: NTT

JP/P.J. Leo

Two women prepare the waft -- the vertical threads -- on the frame of a loom. As with many East Nusa Tenggara weavers, the women of Alor use a backstrap loom, and weave sitting directly on the floor with their legs straight out in front of them, propped against the frame.

Photo H: NTT

JP/P.J. Leo

The people of Alor treasure their ikat, and wear the traditional textiles on special occasions, such as religious events, engagement ceremonies, weddings and funerals.