Then and Now, a story from the virtual Museum of East Timorese Tais

Stories of the Cloths

Then and Now

A visit to Dili and Suai In April, 2001provides the material for cameos that show tais Then and Now.

The 1930s postcard shows the variety and richness of tais at that time. The men and women wear woven textiles from head to foot, in many shapes and patterns, along with feathers, silver jewelry and weapons. Even the child follows the tradition.

Of course, this was not daily wear for common people, but it illustrates what was available and used for special occasions.

The family photo shows more details of the man's ceremonial wear, taken after WW2.

Today, the influence of cheap Indonesian textiles on day-to-day wear is seen in this lady in a market in Maubisse, on the way to Suai.

However, tais are still being made, very much as a handicraft industry. Here in Suai a lady is making a piece on a traditional backstrap under her house, probably the same way it has been done for a very long time.

Nearby, another lady showed us her work. "It's not for sale," she said, "It's for my daughter." Perhaps this piece is destined to take a traditional place in the daughter's marriage? This tais is being used in a perhaps unexpected way. However, the Catholic church has been in East Timor for several hundred years - when does something become "traditional"?

The "Tais Market" in Dili is the most convenient place for the short term visitor to see textiles. But, are you really seeing East Timorese tais? Middle men bring the tais to the market where the sellers know little about what they have in their stands.

Woven textiles are made all through Indonesia and the Philippines, and many pieces in the Tais Market do not come from East Timor. Some definitely do, and others are dubious - tais designs have migrated out from their traditional homes and it can be difficult to tell where a piece comes from. The sellers in the stalls seemed genuinely curious and pleased to meet Ofelia, Antonio and Lorraine who could tell them at least something about their wares.

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Nearby, another lady showed us her work. "It's not for sale," she said, "It's for my daughter." Perhaps this piece is destined to take a traditional place in the daughter's marriage?	This tais is being used in a perhaps unexpected way. However, the Catholic church has been in East Timor for several hundred years - when does something become "traditional"?

The "Tais Market" in Dili is the most convenient place for the short term visitor to see textiles. But, are you really seeing East Timorese tais? Middle men bring the tais to the market where the sellers know little about what they have in their stands.

Woven textiles are made all through Indonesia and the Philippines, and many pieces in the Tais Market do not come from East Timor. Some definitely do, and others are dubious - tais designs have migrated out from their traditional homes and it can be difficult to tell where a piece comes from. The sellers in the stalls seemed genuinely curious and pleased to meet Ofelia, Antonio and Lorraine who could tell them at least something about their wares.