Lepo Lorun Cultural House

Philosophy and Architecture: Manifestation of Sikka Identity

Rumah Budaya Lepo Lorun is built on the principle of respecting nature and local wisdom. Its architecture adopts the traditional Sikka house structure, dominated by natural materials such as bamboo, wood, and thatched roofs. The interior spaces are designed to be open, reflecting the inclusive and communal nature of the Sikka people. Every corner of Lepo Lorun is a living gallery; from the sturdy support pillars to the display areas filled with ikat weaving cloths that carry historical and spiritual narratives.

The existence of Lepo Lorun is not just as a static museum, but as a dynamic space where cultural creation happens daily. Here, visitors do not just see the final product but are invited to delve into the long process behind a cultural masterpiece.

Ikat Weaving Maestros: Breathing Art

The core of activities at Lepo Lorun is the preservation of Sikka Ikat Weaving. Weaving here is not just an economic commodity but a self-identity for Sikka women. The flagship program at Lepo Lorun is the demonstration and education of the traditional ikat weaving process, which includes:

1. Cotton Thread Spinning: The use of local cotton spun manually using traditional tools (ngungun).

2. Natural Dyeing: Lepo Lorun is very vocal in campaigning for the use of natural dyes. They cultivate plants such as Indigo (for blue/black color) and Morinda (for red color) in the gardens around the cultural center.

3. Pattern Tying: The muri process, or tying patterns onto stretched threads, is the most crucial stage, where motifs like Loro, Mawarani, and Rembi are created from the weavers' collective memory.

4. Weaving: Using a backstrap loom (gedogan), the artisan women produce cloths with distinctive density and texture.

This cultural house ensures that every motif produced has communal intellectual property rights that are protected, preventing the exploitation of traditional motifs by external parties without permission.

Education and Community Empowerment

One of Lepo Lorun's main pillars is its educational function. Alfonsa Horeng pioneered an informal curriculum for the younger generation in Nita Village and its surroundings. The "Weaving School" program here aims to break the stigma that weaving is a job for the elderly or those with no education.

Through a participatory approach, Lepo Lorun encourages young people to be proud of wearing and making woven fabrics. They are taught the philosophy behind each motif, so they inherit not only technical skills but also the moral values contained within them. Furthermore, Lepo Lorun serves as a platform for women weaver groups (Sanggar) to organize, improve product quality standards, and gain wider market access through the cultural center's international network.

Performance Art and Oral Tradition Expression

Besides textiles, Rumah Budaya Lepo Lorun also serves as a center for preserving Sikka performing arts. Regularly, this place holds practices and performances of traditional music:

• Gong Waning Music: A distinctive Sikka percussion ensemble consisting of several gongs and long drums (waning). The resulting rhythms accompany various rituals and dances.
• Traditional Dances: Such as the Tua Retu and Hegong dances, which are often performed to welcome honored guests or during traditional ceremonies.
• Oral Literature: Lepo Lorun documents traditional prayers and old songs that are rarely heard anymore. Traditional elders are often invited to share stories (Kuwu) with the younger generation on the cultural house's veranda.

Festivals and Cultural Diplomacy

Lepo Lorun has placed Sikka on the international cultural map. This cultural center periodically organizes small-scale local festivals with global impact. They often receive visits from anthropologists, international designers, and special interest tourists.

Lepo Lorun's participation in international exhibitions in Europe, America, and Asia is not just for selling fabrics but for conducting "Weaving Diplomacy." They present the natural dyeing process as a solution for sustainable fashion on a global level. This brings immense pride to the local community that products from their small village are valued on the world stage.

Role in Local Cultural Development

As a self-governing institution, Lepo Lorun acts as a strategic partner for the local government in developing culture-based tourism in NTT. They promote responsible concepts of Ecotourism and Cultural Tourism. Visitors who come to Lepo Lorun are not just spectators but are invited to stay in local homestays, taste local cuisine such as moke (traditional drink) and dishes made from corn and tubers.

The existence of Lepo Lorun creates a creative economic ecosystem that circulates within the village. Sellers of color raw materials, makers of weaving tools, to local transportation service providers feel the economic impact from the active activities at this cultural house.

Sustainable Preservation of Cultural Heritage

The biggest challenge in cultural preservation is the changing times. However, Lepo Lorun answers this challenge with adaptation without losing its essence. They have begun documenting old motifs in digital form and books. They also conduct design experiments so that ikat woven fabrics can be applied in modern clothing without violating sacred traditional rules.

Environmental conservation efforts are also an inseparable part. Lepo Lorun requires every weaver to replant trees whose bark or leaves are used as dyes. This is a tangible form of the Sikka philosophy that views nature as a mother who must be protected.

Conclusion: Sikka's Future in Lepo Lorun's Hands

Rumah Budaya Lepo Lorun is tangible proof that cultural strength can be a driving force for a region's progress. It is not just a place to store inanimate objects, but a womb that continuously gives birth to new generations who love their identity. With the spirit of gotong royong (mutual cooperation), Lepo Lorun continues to ensure that the sound of the wooden loom will continue to be heard in Sikka land, signifying that the pulse of tradition is still beating strongly.

For anyone who steps through Lepo Lorun's gates, they will not only go home with a beautiful piece of fabric but also bring home a new awareness of the importance of valuing cultural roots as a compass in navigating the currents of time. Lepo Lorun is a beacon of hope for the cultures of East Nusa Tenggara and Indonesia.