The Silent Contributors: Domestic and Traditional Tenun Ikat Women in Tanimbar, Mollucas

Tenun ikat women in Tanimbar, Mollucas, have provided significant contribution to their society, especially in regard to their indigenous heritage , as well as to their own families. On the other hand, their weaving activities (menenun) are considered as supporting the continuity of their inherited customs. And on the other hand, they are also the housewife who play important role in taking care of their family’s needs. The different weaving motifs done by Tenun Ikat women somehow related to the exploration of their identity as a women within the patriachal system of the Tanimbar’s society. This study argues that some of these weaving motifs are related to thier spirit of empowerment. Playing the role as traditional women, they have built their positive indentity towards their family, relatives and their surroundings. More to that, the ‘aoutonomous energy’ as being portrayed in their roles as traditional women are seen through different weaving motifs of Tenun Ikat Tanimbar. Further, this study aims to underline that even though the Tenun Ikat women are attached to thier traditional roles as woman, but their self-consciousness and understanding go their true identity as a free and independent woman.