Arts and Crafts

With their distinctive skill, the East Timorese artisans are exceedingly inventive. The East Timorese's talents in basketry are likewise highly regarded. Embroidered bags, ceramics, jewelry, musical instruments, dolls, and paintings are some of the other national crafts that draw tourists. Such items can be purchased at traditional markets and roadside shops.

Tais, or traditional hand-woven fabrics, are their most well-known craft, and many of these items are sought after by professional collectors. Depending on the location where they are made, tais are produced in a variety of colors and patterns.
Finely woven baskets and mats, paintings, ceramics, jewelry, dolls, delicately embroidered bags, musical instruments, metal knives, and wood carvings are a few other lovely arts and crafts.

The best places to find locally made arts and crafts in Timor-Leste are handicraft stores, roadside stands, and neighborhood markets. When you come across locals making lovely things like cane ware, using a back-strap loom, or carving figurines, it is one of the joys of traveling around the districts.