The making of the unique traditional fabric of East Nusa Tenggara is performed in Indonesia Pavilion by two craftswomen from Watublapi Village of Flores, East Nusa Tenggara.
"This ikat woven fabric uses natural dyes such as mango peels to get yellow color, noni roots for red," a founder of Watubo craftsmen group Rosvita said here on Tuesday.
Indonesia Pavilion is held on the sideline of the IMF-WB annual meetings in Nusa Dua, Bali on October 8-14.
As many as 150 micro, small and medium enterprises from 64 cities and districts across the country are invited to exhibit their products.
"The natural dyeing process will take a longer time, but it`s healthier than the chemical substance," Rosvita said.
For people of Sumba, a piece of ikat woven fabric has its own story.
"Woven fabric tells our journey of life, since we were born until the death comes. There are some 20 to 30 traditional designs that tell the story of life, but most visitors are attracted to the Tibu design which symbolizes women`s fertility," she elaborated.
Usually, a daughter would present a Tebu-patterned woven cloth made by herself, to her 50-year old mother.
According to Rosvita, woven cloth craftsmen in the area have faced the challenge to penetrate new markets while at the same time they have to preserve the tradition.
"Therefore, such support from various institution is very important for us," she said.
The Watebo group has been under the guidance of state-run Mandiri Bank.
The Sumba ikat woven fabric are sold at Rp4 million to Rp250 million depend on the size and pattern.
Editing by Rahmad Nasution
Reporter: Antara
Editor: Gusti Nur Cahya Aryani
Copyright © ANTARA 2018
