NEW textile designs by LO'UD weavers in Timor-Leste
Inspired by time-honoured designs, LOUD’s new textiles embody sustainability and contemporary elegance. Skilfully plant-dyed and hand-woven using traditional methods, LO’UD’s slowly crafted textiles are naturally stunning.
Ethically produced and priced, every purchase sustains weaving practices and enterprise well-being.
Australian War Memorial Tais Commission
Arte Tais Husi LO’UD
In 2021, the Australian War Memorial invited LO’UD to tell their own stories of Timor-Leste’s journey to independence through the enduring artform of Tais. After two years of fabulous consultative work with their members and participatory research by the LO’UD Team, we’re proud to announce that the Memorial recently received four beautiful and culturally significant Tais created by LO’UD members.
The Tais represent the resilience of Timor-Leste’s women, and their contributions to the resistance, peace, and nation-building. They also represent the cooperation between Timor-Leste and Australia, and the pivotal role played by the Australian Defence Force in restoring peace and security in Timor-Leste in late 1999.
Parabens (congratulations) to LO’UD and on their behalf, thank you to the team at the Australian War Memorial!
Born of Fire and Ash
by Craig Stockings
The Official history of Australian peacekeeping operations in East Timor - Vol. 1.
A comprehensive examination of Australia’s military involvement in East Timor, Afghanistan, and Iraq from 1999 to 2009. Stockings explores the political motivations, strategic challenges, and operational complexities behind each mission, offering insights into Australia’s evolving role in global conflicts. The book critically analyzes the successes, failures, and long-term impacts of these interventions, while reflecting on how they shaped Australia’s defense policies and international standing during a tumultuous decade of global military engagement.
ETWA has a big heart for rural women in Timor-Leste.
As a small Australian not-for-profit our volunteers have a direct connection with the communities of women we work with and our people-to-people approach has cultivated life-changing opportunities for members of the LO’UD Cooperative, our key partner in Timor-Leste.
LO’UD Cooperative
ETWA’s Key Partner in Timor-Leste
LO’UD empowers its’ members through local and appropriate economic development whilst ensuring their work preserves culture and leaves a light environmental footprint for future generations.
LO’UD draws its 80 members from three weaving collectives; one located in the flatlands of Lospalos and two in the highlands of Iliomar. In these communities, 80% of women are illiterate and less than 3% of young women attend high school.
LO’UD women speak with one voice to end poverty in their communities! ETWA has supported these amazing women since 2007.
LO’UD’s long-term vision is to seek a balance between dependence and independence and to protect, respect, preserve and cherish their culture and environment to create sustainable futures for their children.
