A central request from weavers at the 2005 weavers’ festival was for a reliable supply of loba, a plant material necessary for achieving the red dye that was rare in the markets and of obscure origin.
Working with ethnobotanists from Australia and the New York Botanical Gardens, loba was identified as Symplocos cochinchinensis bark and found to be sourced unsustainably from protected forests and national parks.
In response, Bebali Foundation established the alternative collection and marketing of fallen leaves by forest communities in Ende, Flores, mapping populations and establishing management plans in collaboration with the regency forestry department.
This project has a dedicated website:
plantmordant.org
Symplocos Leaf Powder
A central request from weavers at the 2005 weavers’ festival was for a reliable supply of loba, a plant material necessary for achieving the red dye that was rare in the markets and of obscure origin.
Working with ethnobotanists from Australia and the New York Botanical Gardens, loba was identified as Symplocos cochinchinensis bark and found to be sourced unsustainably from protected forests and national parks.
In response, Bebali Foundation established the alternative collection and marketing of fallen leaves by forest communities in Ende, Flores, mapping populations and establishing management plans in collaboration with the regency forestry department.
This project has a dedicated website:
plantmordant.org