The economic resources owned by the household do not only demand the role of men as the head of the family but also the involvement of women to play a role in supporting the economic resilience of the family. This condition motivates women to have skills. Involving women through empowerment by enhancing the skills of existing resources is very important. Making woven cloth from East Sumba is not only thinking about how to preserve culture but also efforts to empower women. The existing human resources must always be improved so that they can produce competitive weaving works in the market. It is time for weavers to appreciate the work they do after following every process. From the beginning to the end of the manufacturing process, plant materials from nature that can be cultivated and are environmentally friendly are used while paying attention to the design of the woven motif.

In the spare time for winding the yarn activity, the multiplicator invited the members to discuss a book entitled 'Karya Adiluhung' which reveals the spirituality and symbolism behind the art of tied weaving with natural dyes in East Sumba (2/10/2021). The book reveals many things related to the tied weaving of East Sumba which turns out to have other potencies, namely as a foundation as well as a driver of sustainable economic growth. As a first step, they explored the 42 steps of weaving because they happened to be in the early stages of winding yarn to make a piece of cloth. They need to know more about the weaving stages they may go through.

Elisabeth Uru Ndaya explained that the book contains 6 major topics that cover the 42 steps in weaving, such as the first, explaining spinning cotton into yarn and winding it. Second, pamening, a series of activities to prepare the warp (threads that have been arranged into a canvas to be tied). Third, design a motif painting on the fabric. Fourth, yarns-coloring. Fifth preparing the weaving process, and finally the weaving process until the completion stage.

Some of them were surprised to learn so many steps, even though they had already gone through it. In theory, they felt difficult to follow the weaving steps and work on. However, when they recalled the process that has been going on for a year, it did not reduce their motivation to continue the process. They believe that every hard work they do will pay off. Adrina Ipa Hoi, one of the young participants in the weaving group said, “It turns out that weaving is not easy, we don't realize that so far we have gone through those 42 stages, and for me, there are only about 30 steps that I believe I can do, the rest still I have to learn more. Fortunately, this book helps us to know which steps we have and have not understood.”

However difficult the process is, the skill of making tied weaving has been proven to produce artworks that are recognized worldwide. Weaving collectors in various parts of the world even treat the Sumba tied weaving collection as a masterpiece. Weaving has now become one of the works that can support the economic life of the family. It's time for the weaving artists and Sumba women to respect these skills by continuing to pursue weaving skills so that they can be internationally competitive. ***