Indonesia is well known for its intricately-patterned batik, but the vast archipelago nation has many different styles of fabric, each with its own varied traditions.
The islands of Wakatobi, in southeast Sulawesi attract divers and snorkelers from all over the world and in the small village of Pajam, Kaledupa, the women are a powerhouse of economic enterprise.
With UNDP support they have breathed new life into the traditional tenun weaving technique.
Assignment for UNDP
The women no longer need to cross the sea to get cotton because they have started a plantation in their own community.
The women attended a three-month entrepreneurship hub to learn how to plant, harvest and dye cotton for traditional weaving.
It’s not just about the extra money. It gives women an economic alternative to fishing and working in tourism, and protects something much more valuable; their unique way of telling stories in fabric.