Keeping our traditions alive

Here you can find amazing testimonials of inspiring grassroots artisans that work keep traditions alive!

Many times, keeping traditions alive can generate business and fight poverty in grassroots, empower vulnerable women, and contributes to the development of tourism.

But Arlo was traditionally the ceramics production center on Atauro island but ceramic production was overtaken by metal and plastic. However, in 2014 only two frail women in their 90’s held this knowledge, about to be lost. Empreza Diak’s work guided this remote community, led by their amazing Grandmothers , to turn this tradition into an income – and pride – generator for the entire community.

Joana shared the love and knowledge of pottery with her neighbor and friend Katerina, who lived on the island of Atauro all her life! They also share the concern of not knowing what the next day will bring for their families and community. There are no formal jobs, food and water are scarce, education is poor, infrastructures inexistent.

They both learned the art of “Sanan Rai” – Atauro’s traditional clay pots – from their mothers. Katerina’s mother, Pele, started to teach her when she was 12 years old. Katerina would sit and watch her mother work and then practice by herself.

She used to say it took her at least 50 times to start getting it right! In those days they traded “Sanan Rai” for other goods so this was a valuable skill. Unfortunately, about 20 years ago people stopped buying “Sanan Rai” because they could buy metal pots and pans instead. So production stopped. And with that any interest from younger generations to learn this art. “It’s a dirty job and we can’t sell it” they said. With Empreza Diak’s support the Grandmothers of Arlo have now passed on their skills and knowledge to her grandchildren and over 25 younger women are using this tradition to build a livelihood.

A tradition was revived and with that we changed the life of this remote community! Nowadays, it is the grandchildren of Arlo that are taking into the future this tradition turned into a livelihood.

As (mana) Albertina said: Our grandmothers are getting old and lose their strength day by day, this makes me feel the moral responsibility to learn how to make Clay pot and continue this ancestral tradition.

Mana Ulda is a natural leader 

With the business activities Mana Ulda has, she also wants to involve other organizations to get more experience and develop other groups.

With her active role Mana Ulda manages to gain knowledge, increase her family’s and groups’ economic power. Ulda Gusmão Pereira is 42 years old, a mother of three children and she lives in Uaru-Ana, Bikelivillage, Atauro.  

It is well-known not only because of their unique jewelry but mostly because of the inclusivity that sticks to this group. Founded in 2006 by Father Francisco (Brazilian) and led by Teresinha da Costa Soares. 90% of the group members are people with disabilities (ie. sensorial type or cannot speak and listen). This group was created to give the women with disability opportunities, hope and a way to express their voices.