Botanical Garden
The Bebali Foundation botanical dye garden and natural dye studio
take up 15% of the Umajati property and are a major expression of
the retreat’s commitment to environmental responsibility. This dye
garden is dedicated to the documentation and sharing of the archipelago’s
natural dye knowledge, with plants collected from across Indonesia
labelled by local and scientific names and usage. The work of the
dye studio supports continuity of tradition and improvement of livelihoods
by researching and quantifying indigenous dye recipes, and exploring
new applications for ancestral knowledge.
Visitors to the garden, and guests at Umajati Retreat, can enrol
in the studio’s half-day batik workshop that features hands-on batik
work on a small textile, with a guided walk of the botanical dye
plant garden, explanations of the archipelago’s traditional dye
processes, and an indigo demonstration on the results of participants’
batik work.
The Bebali Foundation is a nonprofit that works with
over a thousand weavers on twelve islands across Indonesia to incubate
community businesses, responsibly manage forests and natural resources,
and sustain traditional culture. The foundation’s for-profit partner
is Threads of Life, a fair trade gallery in Ubud that works directly
with the same communities, commissioning heirloom-quality textiles
and baskets made with natural dyes in order to sustain culture and
alleviate poverty. The owners of Umajati Retreat also own Threads
of Life.
About Ubud
Ubud is regarded as the cultural center of the Bali and is where a journey into the heart of island can begin. Temple ceremonies, weddings and cremations are lavish public spectacles. ...
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