Weaving Tour

ETWA Weaving Tour July 2007 Round Up

The Weaving Tour had been in planning for more than two years. Once DFAT travel warnings were downgraded to level four in May 2007, a combined effort was put into securing participants prior to commencement in July. Once our seven participants were confirmed, we excitedly informed our partners in East Timor that the tour was off the ground and plans were made to meet and discuss the details in late June. The ETWA Committee had given approval for funding to be allocated to other initiatives to tie in with the tour so there was much to be done.

In total, twelve Australians participated in the various projects; three ETWA members (Project Team), a film crew of two from Djemilla Productions and seven Weaving Tour participants, each arriving on different days within the last week of June and the first week of July. Many Timorese also travelled with us, including Balbina and Claudi from ETWA’s local partner NGO, Belisia who helped with translating, drivers and their assistants, Chamot from Bibi Bulak (a local theatre company) and Nato from the Suai Media Centre. Their involvement was an opportune way to connect with the local community and at times our group numbered 20!

Weaving Solid Ground

The Weaving Tour aimed to facilitate cross-cultural exchange, provide cultural experiences to Australian women and empower Timorese weavers as teachers rather than passive aid recipients; in this we’re confident we achieved more than our goal. The workshops were a highlight and mutually beneficial experiences, offering Timorese women opportunities to proudly share their skills and Australian women an opportunity to receive insights into women’s culture. The workshops heightened the weavers’ awareness of their own capacities as artisans and unlocked opportunities for genuine exchanges of friendship and dialogue.

The Los Palos weaving collective conducted the first of the workshops, followed by workshops in the villages of Kainliu and Fuat in Iliomar. All groups were extraordinarily organised and well-prepared, demonstrating a deep understanding and passion for their craft. Every aspect of weaving- from organic dying to various weaving and finishing methods- were demonstrated in detail and with precision. Australian tour participants were delighted and astounded by the women’s skills, knowledge, generosity of spirit and hospitality, particularly given their poor health and difficulties they face on a daily basis. Through Tais purchases, we injected significant funds into the community and our support for festivals in Kainliu and Fuat enabled the community to come together in celebration.

In summary, the tour was more than an opportunity to learn about Tais weaving. It was also a mechanism for connecting with the community and deepening trust and friendships, particularly between ETWA and the women we aim to support. The experience laid a solid foundation on which to build projects aimed at improving the quality of life for remote eastern communities. In addition, the time spent in informal dialogue with the women, their husbands and children and observations of life in the remote villages of Fuat and Kainliu gave the three ETWA members a telling insight into how best we can assist.