Tais (traditional weave) National Day
Presidency of the Council of Ministers
Eighth Constitutional Government
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Press Release
December 14th, 2022
Tais (traditional weave) National Day
The 8th Constitutional Government salutes all the population that celebrates the Tais National Day for the first time today.
Today, December 14th, 2022, marks one year since the declaration of Tais, Timor-Leste’s traditional weave, as an Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.
Tais is a symbol of Timorese intangible cultural expression and plays an invaluable role in community rituals and Timor-Leste’s economic and social activities.
The use of Tais is essential in ceremonies of homage, festivals and cultural and religious rituals. Traditionally, women handcrafted it on wooden weaver looms from cotton yarn dyed with natural pigments.
The Spokesperson of the 8th Government, Minister Fidelis Manuel Leite Magalhães, on behalf of the Government and the Council of Ministers, congratulates all Timorese people for the celebration of this day, especially those who continue to preserve, defend and value the Tais, transmitting their knowledge and techniques to the new generations, allowing the preservation and valorisation of such an important national cultural heritage.
Minister Fidelis also defended that along with the preservation of the Tais and its traditional uses, its transformation and modernisation should also be encouraged, with the creation of new fashion and decoration products, among others. END
