DILI, 10 december 2025 (TATOLI) – The Council of Ministers has approved a draft resolution to promote wider use of Timor-Leste’s traditional handwoven fabric, tais, following a proposal by the Secretary of State for Art and Culture, Jorge Soares Cristovão.
In a statement, the Government said the resolution “seeks to strengthen the recognition of this vital aspect of Timorese intangible cultural identity, acknowledged by UNESCO and deeply embedded in community rituals, as well as in the country’s economic and social life.”
The new measure requires all public administration bodies and services to promote the use of tais on the first working day of each month. It also encourages managers and institutional leaders to wear the garment during official functions and public ceremonies.
The Government further calls on civil society groups and private-sector employers to join the initiative by motivating their staff to wear tais once a week, helping preserve and expand its cultural relevance.
The resolution also establishes a multidisciplinary commission tasked with designing a certification and authenticity system for tais. Additionally, it mandates the redevelopment of the Tais Market in Dili to improve conditions for artisans and enhance the site’s cultural and tourism appeal.
Journalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Filomeno Martins
