In spring 2022, the Habele Outer Island Education Fund in the Federated States of Micronesia was one of 10 projects chosen to receive a highly-competitive Community Collections Grant from the American Folklife Center (AFC) through the Library’s Of the People: Widening the Path initiative. Funded by the Mellon Foundation, the grant program serves to support … Continue reading Peer-to-Peer Documentation of Micronesian Weaving
Preservation of Traditional Pacific Loom Weaving
"Loom is a solution for saving traditional Pacific island weaving from extinction" McClure, Joyce, Pacific Island Times, February 1, 2022, pages 31-32 When the young women of Yap’s remote outer islands leave home to seek a college education, better work opportunities or medical care on the U.S. mainland, the risk of leaving their cultural traditions … Continue reading Preservation of Traditional Pacific Loom Weaving
Micronesian Looms: Weaving Connections in the US (6)
This is the sixth in a series of posts dealing with Weaving Connections, a project of Habele to sustain and preserve Micronesian backstrap weaving traditions among Island populations who’ve migrated to the United States mainland. More here. Ongoing Work Habele continues to build and send warping boards, loom frames, and weaving tools based on its … Continue reading Micronesian Looms: Weaving Connections in the US (6)
Micronesian Looms: Weaving Connections in the US (5)
This is the fifth in a series of posts dealing with Weaving Connections, a project of Habele to sustain and preserve Micronesian backstrap weaving traditions among Island populations who’ve migrated to the United States mainland. More here. Creation of Website Content The WeavingConnections.org domain was purchased and a draft website laid out. The site was … Continue reading Micronesian Looms: Weaving Connections in the US (5)
Micronesian Looms: Weaving Connections in the US (4)
This is the fourth in a series of posts dealing with Weaving Connections, a project of Habele to sustain and preserve Micronesian backstrap weaving traditions among Island populations who’ve migrated to the United States mainland. More here. Further Engagement of On-Island Weavers and Craftsmen Publication of photos of initial designs and prototypes on social media … Continue reading Micronesian Looms: Weaving Connections in the US (4)
Micronesian Looms: Weaving Connections in the US (3)
This is the third in a series of posts dealing with Weaving Connections, a project of Habele to sustain and preserve Micronesian backstrap weaving traditions among Island populations who’ve migrated to the United States mainland. More here Development of Initial Prototypes First, Habele fabricated a scale model, and then a full-size initial specimen, of a … Continue reading Micronesian Looms: Weaving Connections in the US (3)
Micronesian Looms: Weaving Connections in the US (2)
This is the second in a series of posts dealing with Weaving Connections, a project of Habele to sustain and preserve Micronesian backstrap weaving traditions among Island populations who’ve migrated to the United States mainland. More here Cataloging of Materials and Equipment Habele and our technical leads began by listing all the items needed to … Continue reading Micronesian Looms: Weaving Connections in the US (2)
Micronesian Looms: Weaving Connections in the US (1)
This is the first in a series of posts dealing with Weaving Connections, a project of Habele to sustain and preserve Micronesian backstrap weaving traditions among Island populations who’ve migrated to the United States mainland. More here Framing the Problem Though loom weaving of skirts is central to daily life in the Caroline Islands, few … Continue reading Micronesian Looms: Weaving Connections in the US (1)
“Weaving Connections” supports Micronesian Weavers in US Mainland
Beautiful loom-woven textiles of Micronesia display an artistry and technical virtuosity unrivaled elsewhere in the Pacific. Chief among them is the lavalava, a woven skirt from the Outer Islands of Yap State, situated in the Western Caroline Islands. A new website aims to ensure this important cultural skill is preserved among weavers who have moved … Continue reading “Weaving Connections” supports Micronesian Weavers in US Mainland