Ta'o

Language: Manggarai (Indonesia)
Also known as: indigo, nila,

Description

Traditional Manggarai weaving designs used natural dyes as the background, including indigo, known as ‘tao’ in the Manggarai language or ‘nila’, meaning ‘blue’. In the past indigo was very prominent but very few weavers use natural dyes now.

With the introduction of synthetic dyes, woven Manggarai motifs today are set against a black background.

To create the natural blue dye, the indigo shrub is cut down and later regrown from seeds. The leaves are then fermented in room-temperature water for 3-4 days to bring out the blue colour.

Indigo dyes are produced during the rainy season. The natural colours used  by the weavers depends on the seasons and the availability of the plants at any given point in the year.

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Date of entry: September 27, 2025
There is a plant in the centre with thin branches with small, oval, green leaves. In the background is a lush green field and a blue sky with white clouds.
Indigo shrub grown for use as a natural dye at by the Rumah Tenun Baku Peduli weaving collective. Labuan Bajo, Flores, Indonesia. Photograph by Alisa Santikarn.
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