Ancient symbol, living craft

Introducing a new, limited-edition Tanana Madagascar contemporary textile artwork that celebrates cultural heritage in rare silk.

Pictured: Detail from the 'alo alo' wild silk textile artwork. A limited number of the new tapestry will be released by Tanana Madagascar in Fall 2026.

'Alo alo': Connections through time

Crafted from the rare wild silks of Madagascar's ghostly silk moth (Ceranchia apollina) and lappet moth (Callopizoma malgassica), the new Tanana Madagascar 'alo alo' textile artwork depicts a traditional symbol associated with remembrance, connection, and the stories carried from one generation to the next. Incorporating the symbol into the handcrafted tapestry is an artistic nod to the farmers of the Tsimihety ethnic group who navigate paths plagued by 'dahalo' cattle thieves to bring ethically reared wild silk cocoons to the artisan team behind Tanana Madagascar textiles.

Pictured: The Malagasy 'alo alo' symbol features zebu cattle horns. (Photo: Rachel Kramer/CPALI)

Nature meets art

At the heart of the new textile artwork is Madagascar's remarkable wild silk. Over two decades of exploration and design, a method has been honed for transforming endemic cocoons into novel contemporary textiles that bring together nature, culture, and craftsmanship. Each endemic cocoon is carefully processed by hand, preserving the character of the wild silk while creating something enduring and beautifully distinctive.

Pictured: Melinah, a talented artisan on the SEPALI Madagascar team, prepares a tapestry of pressed and sewn Ceranchia apollina silk cocoons for Tanana Madagascar's signature wild silk textile. Lustrous and organic, the textile is unlike any other. (Photo: Armin Dett)

Behind the symbol

Silk from the Madagascar lappet moth (Callopizoma malgassica) is used to form the 'alo alo' symbol in the new tapestry. This wild silkworm's cocoons are collected by farmers in northeastern Madagascar on the western side of Makira Natural Park. The regenerative fibers are pressed and sewn together into a natural mosaic.

Pictured: The Madagascar lappet moth (Callopizoma malgassica) emerges from a papery silk cocoon the color of dry leaves. (Photo: Armin Dett)

Distinctive style

As a limited-edition textile artwork, Tanana Madagascar's 'alo alo' tapestry represents more than exceptional craftsmanship. It is part of a nature-positive approach to livelihoods that value Madagascar’s endemic species and proud heritage—demonstrating how conservation and creativity can be interwoven.

A rare silk. A meaningful symbol. A story from Madagascar, crafted by hand.

SHOP

Tanana Madagascar is the shared social enterprise of Conservation through Poverty Alleviation International (CPALI) and the association of wild silk producers, Sehatry ny Mpamokatra Landy Ifotony (SEPALI Madagascar). Each wild silk textile is proudly Fair Trade and Certified Wildlife Friendly. 100% of sales go to locally run programs that uplift farmers and artisans and regenerate nature in one of the world's foremost biodiversity hotspots.