Biboki Weavers

Awardee

Country

Indonesia

Biboki Weavers advocates for civil society through cultural heritage.

Themes
Free expression / Civil society
Disciplines
Cultural heritage
Awards
Archive - Prince Claus Laureate 2003

Profile

Biboki Weavers is a non-profit organization founded based in Indonesia. Founded in 1990 by Yovita Meta, it contributes to the economic revitalization in impoverished Indonesian regions through traditional weaving. By using ancient methods like handspinning cotton and employing natural and synthetic dyes, they articulate community narratives and values via distinctive local styles such as ikat, supplementary weft, and tapestry weaving.The organization, also known as the Tafaen Pah Foundation, emphasizes high-quality standards through continuous training and dialogue, making Biboki textiles renowned as the finest in West Timor. Operating through 25 women-led weaving groups, it has expanded to include over 1,644 members, including men, fostering a community-wide upliftment. Yovita Meta's leadership challenges societal norms, promoting decision-making ownership and serving as an inspiration across genders and generations. Biboki Weavers exemplifies the power of traditional crafts in fostering dignity, success, and heritage stewardship, positioning itself as a model for leveraging cultural legacies towards modern-day relevance and empowerment.