Scarf Traditional Star Clan motif Handwoven reversible Weaving West Timor Indonesia

Description

W1608 – So’E village West Timor   – Star motif honoring ancestors who watch over those of us that are still earth bound.

The purple stripes are more of a burgundy colour.

106cm / 42″ long

25cm / 10″ wide

This image has been achieved using supplementary weft weaving technique or float weave on a simple back strap loom that creates a negative or opposite colour on the reverse side of the weaving. This selendang or betana is soft and smooth to the touch.

International clients are welcome. We will source the most economical way to get your treasure to you.

Scarves / Selendang / Betana are worn by both men and women in Timor and serve many purposes. They can keep the sun off the head or balance a pot of water or bundle of sticks or cow feed that must often be carried up to 5km from  source to the village.

Scarves and all handwoven textiles in West Timor representing traditional clothing and epitomise cultural pride as the weaver is able to tell her story within the threads. You can often read where she hails from within the construction, motif and colours plus they keep the chill out on those cold mountain nights.

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. Who knows when we will be able to travel there again to obtain such treasures?

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’s 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 precious resource. Please contact me if you wish to contribute.