History Of Philippine Weaving

Pre-Colonial Era

An Ancient Artform Would weave fibers such as abaca, pineapple,

ramie, maguey, cotton and bark cloth We know this because of the accounts of early

explorers

Textile Weaving

The Ifugao and Aeta groups used bark cloth

Textile Weaving

The Pinilian Blanket of Ilocos

Textile Weaving

Ifugao Ikat, with crocodile motif

Textile Weaving

Virtually all attire was hand woven. Examples include the G-string, Maranao Malong, Bontoc Tapis, Ilong patadyong, T’boli T’nalak, etc.

Malong Tapis

Hat WeavingExamples include the Tausug hat,

Maguindanao hat, and the Yakan hat of Basilan

Yakan hat of Basilan

Basketry

3 kinds of baskets: carrying, storage, and trapping baskets

Basketry

Storage Basket Cordillera pasiking, used for carrying grain

Basketry

Storage BasketBontoc akob, used As a lunch basket

Basketry

Trapping BasketSalakab, used for trapping fish in

rice paddies

Basketry Basketry exemplifies the creative use of

materials for the environment and implies extensive knowledge of different materials and their natural properties. Methods include: bamboo method, large leaves method.

Basketry has a communal meaning and function: mediate between humans and nature.

Mat Weaving All regions of the Philippines have a tradition of mat

weaving, since mats are used all over the country as bedding material. It is primarily seen as a woman’s work.

Most mats are made out of leaves of pandan or the buri palm. They are often decorated with strips of one or two colors, creating simple linear patterns.

The process is as follows: one gathers the raw materials from plants, then strips, boils, dyes and weaves it.

The quality of a mat is judged from the softness of its material, the fineness of its weave, and the beauty of its design patterns.

Used for barter as well as bedding.

Mat Weaving

Laminusa Mats of the Samal women

Basey mats of Leyte

Spanish Colonization

Spanish Colonization The local fabric that caught the attention of the

Spaniards was the nipis, which is woven from stalks of the abaca plant. They were colorfully dyed, striped or embroidered in white, and made into different items of clothing for both men and women, including the Barong Tagalog. It was introduced into the international market in the late 19th century. The different techniques of making/embroidering the nipis were passed down from generation to generation.

Spanish Colonization

Nipis Fabric

Spanish Colonization

The religious practices the Spaniards introduced to the Filipinos also gave rise to new weaving practices: palaspas—long stalks of coconut or buri palm with their fronds plaited into decorative patterns and embellished with crepe-paper flowers.

Spanish Colonization

Palapas

Spanish Colonization

Mats were made to order, usually given as gifts for special occasions. They often bore the letters “recuerdo” “mr. and mr.s”.

American Colonization

Most of the artistic focus during this time was on avant-garde art, especially in the fields of painting and sculpture.