Motif Digitization Training for the Lombok's Earthquake Affected Weavers Group

Four weavers from the earthquake affected communities of Bayan (North Lombok) and Pringgasela (East Lombok), Indonesia, participated in a six-day training of trainers on motif digitization and graphic design in New Delhi and Chanderi, India from 2 to 5 September 2019. Under the supervision of the Indian experts, the participants learnt the basic steps of drawing their traditional weaving motifs digitally using software and applying them on the loom. During the practical session, they also discussed how to make their weaving technique more efficient by sharing experience of traditional weavers from Chanderi. The training was an eye opening for the Lombok weavers as it is the first time they learnt the use of digital equipment for weaving.

Facilitated by the partners RedR Indonesia in collaboration with the Digital Empowerment Foundation, India, the training was part of UNESCO Jakarta’s early recovery support to the traditional weavers’ community of Lombok following the major earthquake in August 2019.  While the humanitarian aid typically focused on basic needs, little assessment was done for damage to heritage.  To fill the gap, UNESCO in partnership with the Cultural Values Preservation Office’s (BPNB) of Bali Province initiated early recovery support to the traditional weavers community in Bayan and Pringgasela since January 2019.   

Between February and  September 2019, more than 40 local weavers attended the marketing and product innovation trainings in collaboration with the designers.  Some of their new products were featured at the fashion show held by the Phoenix Heritage Hotel, Yogyakarta in September 2019.  

A follow-up training on motif digitalization and graphic design is also scheduled in Lombok in early October 2019 with the participation of larger community members.   The training will be instrumental to equip the weavers with skills to document and keep collective memory of traditional motives, while experimenting more easily with new designs to respond to the contemporary market demand.   

 

This project intends to contribute to:

• Goal 1 (Target 1.5 by 2030, build the resilience of the poor and those in vulnerable situations and reduce their exposure and vulnerability to climate-related extreme events and other economic, social and environmental shocks and disasters )
• Goal 5 (target 5.5 on ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life).

This activity was supported by the UNESCO Heritage Emergency Fund. We wish to thank its donors: the Qatar Fund for Development, the Kingdom of Norway, the Government of Canada, ANA Holdings INC., the Principality of Monaco, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the Republic of Estonia, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, the Slovak Republic and the Principality of Andorra.

Photos: © RedR/UNESCO