Continuing Textile Traditions and Creating Contemporary Materials

Watch the Weave A Real Peace (WARP) February Continuing Textile Traditions panel discussion. Madagascar is renowned as a natural and cultural wonder. Yet its contemporary wild silk and traditional raffia textiles are a well-kept secret. Rachel Kramer, Executive Director of Conservation through Poverty Alleviation International, and Lalaina Raharindimby, Lead Artisan behind the celebrated social impact enterprise, Tanana Madagascar, tell the story of sister organizations in the United States and Madagascar operating at the intersection of science and art. Together, they’re uplifting local farmers and artisans, keeping traditional Betsimisaraka raffia weaving techniques alive, and introducing a new form of shimmering sustainable textile sewn from the cocoons of wild rainforest silk moths. This partnership brings beauty into a complex world through conservation and social enterprise. Finally, Sarah Fee of the Royal Ontario Museum offers the cultural and artistic significance of Malagasy textiles.

Watch the recording and find further details here.