Popcorn as Essential Food

The primary motif on this deep rust-red textile is called pean babof which means popped corn. Corn is an essential food in these hot, dry areas and several types of heirloom seed are planted before each rainy season. Using this motif serves as a reminder of the importance of this food source. 

Tais maruka is a three-part woman’s tubular skirt worn by young women for traditional ceremonies. To attain the deep colour of that is typical of textiles from this area requires mastery of the time consuming red dye and mordanting techniques. The threads are repeatedly dyed up to 30 times to achieve this rich classic colour. 

This will look lovely as a bed throw or wall hanging.

Information about the makers will be supplied with each cloth.
Warp ikat, supplementary warp patterning, three panels stitched together and sewn as a tube, commercial cotton, natural dyes. Ikat tied, dyed and woven in Malaka, Timor, 2020. Size 130 x 62 cm / 51 x 24.5 in