Betel Nut Bag Aluk Saku Star Motif Hand Woven Tribal West Timor Indonesia

Description

W1688 – Aluk , saku Mens Betel nut bag. The motif is bintang [yes it is a beer too!] star which tells of the weavers clan and ancestor spirits the handle is hand plaited cotton thread.

Oh the things that are in a betel nut bag …. we have a glimpse inside one in the images.

Handwoven by the wonderful weaving women of West Timor [4Ws!] every unique Aluk displays the weaver’s tribal motif.

Mostly these Aluk are a dedicated weaving, sometimes [as in this case] she has taken an old scarf and repurposed it to create this bag.

These small but unique and sweet Aluk are perfect for when you are heading out with just a few necessary items.

18cm  /  7″ tall

16cm / 6″ wide

96cm / 38″ length of handle

30g / 1oz

If you wish to gather multiple treasures, and international buyers are welcome, this website and shop cart should allow for it. If not, I will contact you to find the most economical way to send your treasures to you.

I am Julie and have been collecting Timorese Treasures in the field since 1990 when I won a prize for overseas travel in a pub in Darwin [true]. I had no idea at the time that I had stumbled upon an Aladdin’s cave of authentic traditional tribal textiles and treasures. I have been returning annually ever since [well most years] and been witness to many changes across the last 3 decades.

Clearly none of us are sure what will happen post COVID, but I do know that the villagers, carvers and weavers up in the mountains will be grateful when some outside dollars come into their informal/circular economy. Therefore, every purchase you choose to make with me will benefit the Atoni [people of West Timor] as soon as I can get back there.

I distribute reading glasses and nutritious food seeds as the soil in the western half of Timor is very poor and water a very precious resource. Please contact me if you wish to contribute.