Ikat Fabrics & Indonesian Women
Ikat Fabrics can be found in almost all over Indonesia. Yet, mostly, those making them are women. Men do it too, but not many, compared to the lady artisan.
Especially in East Indonesia. Women living in the traditional villages make various pretty ikat fabrics. They do it in between daily cores. Some even leave it during harvest time. They can do it for only a month, three months or more. Some fabrics need one whole year.
They start learning from such a very young age. They help a bit by tiding the patterns. By the age of 15 yers old, they can start learning the whole weaving process.
They are allowed to really do it when they reach the age of 20. Yet, those who are pregnant and having their period are not permitted to do it as weaving means they have to support the machine using their back.
These women sell their fabrics at home. They don’t sell the ikat fabric by the yard. As, each of the fabric is unique. You might find certain patterns in one village but cannot find it in other villages. So, if you happen to be interested in a fabric, you’d better get it before someone else does.
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