STITCHING HERITAGE CHAPTER FIVE:

INDONESIAN BATIK & CAPE MALAY HERITAGE

Transformation Through Layers, Resistance Through Remembrance

What parts of our ancestors' journeys continue to live within us?

When people are displaced, what travels with them that cannot be taken away?

What does it mean to reclaim the stories, knowledge and traditions that history has pushed to the margins?

Join Cape Town Stitch to Resist for the fifth chapter of Stitching Heritage, exploring the histories and cultural connections between the Indonesian archipelago and the Cape.

Through historical conversations and textile-making, we explore the journeys of people from the Indonesian archipelago, colonialism, forced migration, Cape Malay heritage and the cultural traditions and knowledge carried across generations.

Our guest speakers will include Abdud-Daiyaan Petersen, exploring the historical significance of these histories and their influence on the Cape, Palestinian creative Adan Hijazi and more.

The creative component will introduce photo tatreez embroidery, where participants will work with archival black-and-white photographs using Palestinian embroidery techniques. You are welcome to bring a printed copy of a personal photograph, or we will provide an image for you to work with. No previous experience is required.

We will also explore the connections between heritage, cultural memory and Palestinian solidarity.

\In the spirit of sharing, generosity and community, bring along your favourite Cape Malay snack to share with everyone. Food, stories and making are all part of how we keep heritage alive.

PARTICIPATION & TICKETS

Stitching Heritage follows a cross-subsidised participation model. Our ticket structure recognises that people have different financial circumstances. Contributions from those able to pay more help make participation more accessible to others.

By participating, you are also supporting a more inclusive space for heritage learning, cultural exchange and community knowledge-sharing.

Saturday, 21 November 2026

10:30 AM – 1:30 PM

Erin Hall, Rondebosch, Cape Town

Come as you are. No embroidery or textile-making experience required.