Jakarta Exhibition Showcases Sumba Textiles and Cultural Livelihoods

Jakarta — A one-day exhibition at The Dharmawangsa Jakarta presented handwoven textiles from Sumba, whose motifs reflect the island’s beliefs, wisdom and cultural knowledge passed down through generations.

The exhibition was organized by Umaratu Foundation in early September 2026. The foundation was established in December 2025 by fashion designer Asha Smara Darra, formerly known as Oscar Lawalata, to preserve Sumba’s cultural heritage while helping its people build sustainable livelihoods.

Why Sumba’s textiles matter to cultural livelihoods

The display connected traditional cloth with the wider knowledge systems behind it. Patterns depicting crocodiles, turtles, cockatoos and horses were presented as expressions of Sumba’s beliefs and wisdom, rather than simply decorative designs.

The exhibition took place in the grand ballroom foyer of The Dharmawangsa Jakarta. It included textiles associated with East Sumba, including indigo-dyed fabrics and motifs inspired by local flora and fauna. The Jakarta Post reported that the foundation is also working with weavers, food researchers and builders to sustain knowledge related to Sumba’s traditional textiles, cuisine and architecture.

For visitors and foreign residents in Indonesia, the event offered a window into how cultural preservation can intersect with local economic activity. The foundation’s stated aim is not only to archive or display traditional work, but also to support the people whose knowledge and labor sustain it.

The initiative was launched by Asha Smara Darra, who has spent 25 years studying traditional textiles across Indonesia. The Umaratu Foundation’s work is presented as part of a broader effort to maintain Sumba’s heritage while creating sustainable livelihoods for its communities.

Sources

• The Jakarta Post — report on Asha Smara Darra and Sumba textiles
• cnbcindonesia.com
• Dewi Magazine — report on Umaratu Foundation’s Sumba cultural exhibition
• popbela.com