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The Istana

Traditional Wooden Sculptures

Country: The Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste

Last updated 11 March 2026

Timor-Leste's Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão presented this gift to President Tharman Shanmugaratnam during his Official Visit to Singapore from July 13 to 16, 2025.

Traditional Wooden Sculptures

Dimensions: 11 × 5.5 × 34 cm (male) / 7 × 5 × 34 cm (female)

This gift is a pair of carved figures depicting a man and a woman wearing tais, a traditional woven textile from Timor-Leste.

Tais is an essential part of the cultural heritage of East Timorese people. It is traditionally woven at home by women using cotton dyed with natural plant-based colours. The textile serves various purposes, including ceremonial adornment, decoration, and clothing, and plays a significant role in cultural events such as marriages and funerals. The patterns often feature geometric designs and can represent anthropomorphic figures.

In recognition of its importance, the tais weaving tradition was inscribed on the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding in 2021.