Oé-Cusse, 24 april 2023 (TATOLI) – Government and Partners launch a U.S funded Tais Exhibition showcasing the achievements of 20 young local weavers.
The Tais Exhibition showcasing was launched by the United States (U.S) Charge d’Affaires in Dili, Tom Daley joined the President of the Special Administrative Region of Oecusse Arsenio Bano, and CEO of Timor Aid, Maria do Ceu Lopes.
The document released from the U.S Embassy stated that, With funding support from the U.S. Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation, Timor Aid sponsored a 10-month apprenticeship in tais weaving with master weaver instructors to advance the preservation of tais, which UNESCO recently designated as an intangible cultural heritage in need of urgent safeguarding.
The 20 young weavers were trained to master skills and abilities in weaving tais and develop an understanding of the importance of their contribution to the heritage of tais and commit to the safeguarding of their ancestors’ heritage.
“This exhibition marks the capstone of a remarkable training program,” said U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Tom Daley. “Protecting Tais is fundamental to promoting sustainable tourism in Timor-Leste. This project reflects U.S. commitment to stand in support of Timorese weavers and all those who are working to safeguard this intangible cultural heritage as we work together to empower sustainable employment growth, promote and increase gender equality, and improve livelihoods.”
In September 2021, the U.S. Embassy awarded Timor Aid over $171,000 through the Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation to promote the preservation of Timorese tais.
The project provided training to emerging Tais weavers in Oecusse and Covalima and supported weavers to expand economic prosperity and bolster the emerging cultural tourism sector in Timor-Leste. Through the Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation, the United States is also sponsoring the creation of a first-of-its-kind digital database to document for time immemorial the stunning range of Tais to people in Timor-Leste and around the world.
TATOLI
