LEARN NC

K–12 teaching and learning · from the UNC School of Education

About this photograph

Creator
Margery H. Freeman
Date created
1986
Location
Tenganan, Bali, Indonesia
License
This photograph copyright ©2007. Terms of use

Related media

Learn more

In the classroom

  • See our collection of articles on visual literacy for ideas on using photographs meaningfully in the classroom.
Tenganan double ikat weaving still on the loom

Size: 686×1024

A double ikat weaving is displayed still on its wood and bamboo backstrap loom at the village of Tenganan in eastern Bali.

In most of the world where handmade weavings are still produced, patterns are tied into the warp (vertical) or the weft (horizontal) threads, but not both. In an old Balinese village called Tenganan, however, designs are tied and dyed into both warp and weft threads before the two types are interwoven for a final pattern. This technique requires very precise workmanship and the skills required to make these natural dye cloths are closely guarded by Tenganan families. Their textiles, which can take years to produce, are highly valued both within and beyond their home community.