![]() ![]() There are several superstitions surrounding the weaving of t'nalak, such as never stepping over the loom. The weaving is usually done in the early morning or at night to prevent the abaca from becoming brittle in the harsh sunlight during the day. Traditionally, only women are allowed to weave the t'nalak. The loom, as its name suggests, is anchored on the weaving hut's ceiling and held taut around the back of the weaver-the woman becoming part of the loom herself. The dyed strings are then strung onto a backstrap loom to finally be woven into textile. It is an intricate and complex process, one that requires the weaver to envision the pattern on a blank canvas of strings. When the dyed abaca is completely dried, the ties are removed, revealing the tri-colored pattern. Red is for the blood of their ancestors, while black symbolizes the soil from which they came.Ī community of women artisans in South Cotabato have made a living out of their t'nalak weaving, but the process is a time-honored tradition that has been passed on from generation to generation The white or natural color of the abaca stands for purity. ![]() The traditional colors of the t'nalak hold symbolic meaning for the T'bolis. Again, the abaca undergoes dyeing, this time turning the remaining untied portions black. The pattern meant to be left red is then tied tightly. The abaca is then submerged in a vat of boiling water with natural dyes, coloring the strings red. The pattern for the white or natural color is tied. Once ready, the t'nalak strings are strung on a loom and they are prepared for the ikat (dye-resist) technique, based on the pattern taught by the dreamweaver. While the t'nalak starts with the dreams of one woman, it takes a whole community of artisans to produce.įirst, Tboli men use a mounted blade to strip the abaca into fine fibers. These women, often led by their ancestors, dream of the sacred patterns that they then transform into the textile. The T'boli indigenous people of the vast Lake Sebu in South Cotabato, Mindanao, believe that the patterns of the t'nalak are bestowed upon chosen women by Fu Dalu, the goddess of abaca. ![]() How the T'boli Women Weave their Dreams “Dreamweaver,” a title given to select T'boli women, evokes a sense of romanticism, wonder, and mystery that surrounds the sacred textile that they are known for, the t'nalak ![]()
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