DILI, 28 february 2022 (TATOLI) – Alola Foundation, together with USAID, Secretary of State for Art and Culture (SEAC), and Timorese Tais Weaving Groups, celebrated Tais as Intangible Cultural Heritage after United Nations Cultural Agency (UNESCO) has added the art of traditional Timorese weaving to its Intangible Cultural Heritage List.
Thirteen Timorese Tais Weaving Groups, representing the 12 municipalities and RAEOA were present at the 2022 Tais Festival held at Novo Turismo hotel, in Dili, on monday.
At the festival, different Traditional Tais Weaving Groups demonstrated their weaving techniques to the local and international visitors.
Tais is now listed alongside renowned cultural assets from other countries, such as traditional hand puppetry in Egypt, the bisalhães black pottery manufacturing process in Portugal, and the ancient art of hand-crafting “phinisi boats in Indonesia.
On 15 december 2021, the sixteenth session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage approved the inscription of Tais on the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding.
The 2022 Tais Festival was officially launched by the Secretary of State for Art and Culture (SEAC), Teófilo Caldas, accompanied by USAID Representative in Timor-Leste, Harold Carey, CEO of Alola Foundation, Maria Imaculada Guterres, etc.
Chief Executive Officer of Alola Foundation, Maria Imaculada Guterres said that Tais Festival was part of the activities of safeguarding Timor-Leste’s Tais.
“In this festival exhibition, we have various groups from the 12 municipalities, including RAEOA to show their traditional weaving, and coloring techniques. It’s important to keep promoting Timorese traditional waving, as we know that not many young Timorese are now engaging in such traditional weaving practices,” Guterres said
Milena dos Santos, a Tais weaver from Bobonaro municipality states that Tais Festival was a brilliant opportunity for her group to demonstrate Bobonaro’s weaving techniques and sell their Tais products to make some money.
Guterres said Alola Foundation had organized a number of activities to raise the awareness of the communities to keep weaving, wearing, and using Tais at different cultural activities: “We have organized talk shows on TV and Radio to raise the awareness of Timorese people to love our Tais.”
“I call on relevant Ministries to draft a decree-law to be approved by the Council of Ministers to oblige all public officials to wear Tais uniform at work, as well as for students to wear Tais uniform at schools. It would help to promote Tais in Timor-Leste,” Guterres said.
She said the 2022 Tais Festival was realized with the financial support of US$30.000 given by USAID.
At the same place, USAID Representative in Timor-Leste, Harold Carey congratulated Timor-Leste on achieving the exceptional Tais as Intangible Cultural Heritage: “It is the source of national pride.”
“UNESCO recognition validates the cultural importance of Tais in Timor-Leste and the valuable contribution of the women who create this beautiful textile. It would help to support families and livelihoods throughout the country for generations to come and has the ability to enhance the cultural tourism offerings to attract more economic growth to this country,” said Carey.
He said Tais is an iconic element of Timorese culture passed from generation to generation.
At the same place, the Secretary of State for Art and Culture, Teófilo Caldas informed that the National Parliament, through its resolution No.2/2022 had decided december 14 as the National Tais Day.
“So, the Government of Timor-Leste, through the Council of Minister would approve a decree-law, which required all public officials and students to wear Tais uniform on the first day of the week. In addition, with the decree-law, all public officials must wear Tais uniform at the celebration of the public holidays,” he said.
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Rafy Belo
