Ilocano Textile Weaving: Hand Weaving Techniques and Traditions

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Questions and Answers

What is the main material used by the Ilocano in their handweaving tradition?

Abaca

Cotton (correct)

Silk

Piña

Which region in the Philippines is the Ilocano community from?

Cagayan Valley

Cordillera Mountains

Ilocos Region (correct)

Central Luzon

What is the local name for the pedal loom used by the Ilocano?

Pangawidan

Pangilay

Pangablan (correct)

Panggatong

What is the term for the brocade weave technique used by the Ilocano?

Pinilian Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the sticks inserted on selected warp threads in the pinilian weaving technique?

To create designs that float on the threads Signup and view all the answers

What process is involved in exposing the liniwan in the leaf?

Running the coconut shell on the inner layer Signup and view all the answers

What is the Aklanons of western Panay Island known for in terms of piña?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the hand-woven textiles by Kiniray-a and Hiligaynon weavers?

Hablon Signup and view all the answers

What is the origin of the hablon?

Panay Island Signup and view all the answers

What is the preferred material for the barong Tagalog?

Piña Signup and view all the answers

According to a Panayanon legend, who introduced the art of weaving textiles?

Datu Lubay Signup and view all the answers

What is the central idea symbolized in the Bontoc textile?

Permanence and order Signup and view all the answers

What is the first part of the cloth that young Bontoc girls learn to weave?

Langkit (edging) Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of the Kalinga textile's design?

Densely-composed groups of tight stripes Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary material used to make the piña fabric?

Fibers from the red Bisaya pineapple leaves Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the fine fiber extracted from the red Bisaya pineapple leaves?

Liniwan Signup and view all the answers

What is the tool used to remove the epidermis of the pineapple leaf to expose the lustrous bastos fiber?

A shard of Chinese porcelain Signup and view all the answers

Which textile is considered the finest of Philippine textiles?

Piña fabric Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the rough fiber extracted from the red Bisaya pineapple leaves?

Bastos Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Ilocano Handweaving Tradition

The Ilocano community from the Ilocos Region in northwestern Philippines is known for its ancient handweaving tradition.
The primary material used in Ilocano handweaving is kapas or cotton.
The pedal loom, locally called pangablan, is used in the weaving process.
Various weaving techniques are employed, including:
- Basic plain weave
- Double-toned basket weave (binakul)
- Multi-heddle weave (binetwagan or tinumballitan)
A complicated weaving technique is the brocade weave, also known as pinilian.
The pinilian technique involves inserting sticks into selected warp threads to create designs that float on the threads.
The pinilian weave is a complex and intricate design technique.

Bontoc Weave

Symbolizes permanence, order, and balance, key factors in the life of the Bontoc people
Weave direction is from the edge to the middle, demonstrating centeredness
Cloth construction is symmetrical with repeated warp-striped design
Young Bontoc girls start their training with the simplest part of the cloth, the langkit or edging
They move on to pa-ikid (side panels), learning simple designs such as fatawil (warp-bands) and shukyong (arrows)
Sinangad-am design represents the Sinamaki weaving

Kalinga Textile

Exhibits motifs executed as though they are embedded in the geometry of weaving
Distinct dialogue between red and blue, expressed in broad red and blue bands of plain or twill weave
Densely-composed groups of tight stripes are characteristic of Kalinga textile
Kalinga weavers, particularly in the upper Kalinga area, use twill-weave technique to add textures on striped bands

Piña Fabric

Considered the finest of Philippine textiles
Made from the fibers of the leaves of the red Bisaya pineapple through an arduous process
Leaves provide two kinds of fibers: bastos (rough fiber) and liniwan (fine fiber)
Extraction of fibers involves removing the epidermis of the leaf, exposing the lustrous bastos fiber
Degumming process entails repeated rinsing, beating, and airdrying of the fibers
Weavers connect each strand through knotting to produce long continuous strands before weaving
Aklanons of western Panay Island are known for piña with inlaid supplementary weft designs or embroidered with floral or vegetal designs on the lattice ground

Hablon

Hiligaynon for “something woven”, from the root word habol, “to weave”
Refers to the hand-woven textiles by Kiniray-a and Hiligaynon weavers
In a Panayanon legend, Datu Lubay introduced the art of weaving textiles
Weaving using the pedal loom had been common in the provinces of Iloilo and Antique until the arrival of mechanized weaving

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Description

Learn about the Ilocano people's ancient handweaving tradition from the Ilocos Region of the Philippines, including their techniques and designs. Discover the pedal loom and different weaving methods used.