It was the most amazing day. We spent the first part of the day driving to east Bali and visiting the village of Tenganan, where the double Ikat weavers are. Did I mention that it was amazing? Because it was. Double Ikat is the process wherein the waft and the warp are BOTH dyed in the resistant dying process. Suffice to say, it takes five years to dye the thread for one textile (using candle oil, tree bark, and I forget what else, in kind of a tie dye). In other words, the threads going sideways and the threads going lengthwise are each tie died to make the pattern. They weave about 3 centimeters of cloth per day, that is how dense this weaving is; the women who weave can work only 2-3 hours a day because the concentration is so intense. There are only three places in the world that do this weaving and the others are in Japan and I think India. He showed us business cards and articles from all over the world, museums, etc.
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| Using plastic ties to mark the pattern. |
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| Weaving |
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| The door to his bedroom (!) |
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| The master, standing in front of his beautiful weavings. |
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| Showing us how it is done. |
Even more fascinating to me is that this is an old Balinese village going back hundreds of years and has a complex social organization. They must marry within the group and they are MONOGAMOUS and there is NO DIVORCE. Imagine that.
These are some pictures from their compound where you mix with chickens, dogs, cats and the occasional water buffalo crossing your path, believe it or not.
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| Two young ladies at a temple celebration wearing the double Ikat |
After lunch, we were lucky enough to go with Suppi to see part of a temple ceremony. We had to have our sarongs and sashes on but were allowed to take pictures. More about that tomorrow, after I upload my pix. Still trying to wrap my head around it.It was incredible.
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Just a word about our hotel in Ubud. And that word is FABULOSO!
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| bedroom |
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| bed with plumeria blossoms |
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| bath |
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| tea |
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| infinity pool |
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a glass of wine with my friend, Kristal, on the patio.
The Komaneka Rasa Sayang Hotel is a lovely lovely lovely place of respite. Oh, and last night? Two nice boys came to my room to offer a nightgown and slippers and water. Yes please |
Oh Liz - this sounds so wonderful! Love that you are having such a great experience! XXXOOO
ReplyDeleteI wish you were here, Susan.
ReplyDeleteYes, all looks wonderful! And glad you are being pampered, too. The Master's Bedroom?!?
ReplyDeleteHi Stacy, Yes, he works out of the family compound in the little village. Finally remembered! His name is Wayan! Came to me on the bus today.
ReplyDeleteOh, and MASTER WEAVER, not I dream of Jeannie master!
ReplyDelete