Material Practices and Social Transformation of Craft in Lamalera Culture

Abstract (English)

Topic No. 7 on: Innovations and Adaptations in Craft Practices in Response to Social and Technological Changes

Lamalera’s culture, known for its deep artistic traditions, plays a fundamental role in human life by fulfilling both physical and emotional needs through creative expression. As part of cultural heritage, art encompasses both tangible and intangible forms—ranging from physical artifacts to practices, rituals, and symbolic traditions passed down through generations. These forms often intersect, particularly in communities where tradition is intimately tied to livelihood and survival. In Lamalera, a coastal village in East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia, the whale hunting tradition offers a rich context for exploring how these cultural elements are reinterpreted through artistic practices. A notable example is the integration of whale hunting motifs the local weaving patterns. Often created by elder weavers, these designs serve as symbolic representations of ancestral knowledge and values. They are passed on to the younger generations not only as technical skills but also as narratives of identity and history. Similarly, the emergence of handcrafted miniature whale-hunting ships—modeled after traditional wooden vessels—reflects a creative reinterpretation that blends memory, tradition, and innovation. These practices illustrate how the Lamalera community negotiates cultural continuity through both preservation and adaptation. Artistic expression thus becomes a vital means of sustaining cultural identity while responding to social and economic change. More broadly, such traditions contribute to national cultural diversity and emphasize the importance of supporting local heritage in an era of globalization. By examining the transmission of art and knowledge in Lamalera culture, this research highlights the dynamic relationship between tangible and intangible culture, creativity, and collective memory.