22/03/2023
𝑨𝒎𝒎𝒖𝒎 𝒃𝒂?
👇 👇 👇
Reposting from
Cordillera Young Leaders Club
𝑨𝒎𝒎𝒖𝒎 𝒃𝒂?
Kalinga is emerging as the Fashion Capital of Cordillera.
Lubuagan Kalinga weaves have actually reached New York, Paris and Melbourne Fashion Week in 2018, 2019 and 2022.
Kalinga weaves are characterized by the traditional color combinations of red and black stripes and the use of beads. Many traditional Kalinga weaving designs and patterns remain unchanged through generations, with weavers taking care not to make alterations since the colors and details have specific meanings. Red, for instance, symbolizes bravery while black represents the earth or the ground. Mountain symbols are embroidered in yellow, a color that also symbolizes wealth and fertility. (Narra Studio, n.d.)
The handwoven fabrics produced by Kalinga weavers are used for various purposes, from traditional material used for clothing and ritual purposes to commercial fabrics used to create decoration in home, trinkets, bags, and accessories.
The traditional Kalinga garment for women is called Ka-in, the wraparound skirt. During the olden times, women wore only the "𝒌𝒂-𝒊𝒏" without any upper clothing. Thus, women are topless, especially married and old women (Isle, 2018). Different variants of the Ka-in are termed; 𝑝𝑖𝑙𝑎𝑘𝑝𝑎𝑘, 𝐼𝑖𝑙𝑎𝑔𝑙𝑖𝑠, 𝑆𝑠𝑖𝑙𝑢𝑔𝑤𝑖𝑑, and 𝑔𝑖𝑙𝑎𝑚𝑎𝑡 which the variants depends on the origin or tribes in Kalinga.
For men it is called the "𝑩𝒂-𝒂𝒈" or the Kalinga G-string which usually measures more than 5 feet in length but is only around ¾ foot in width. It’s worn by winding the woven material on the waist and the lower private parts to secure the G-string.
Variants of the Ba-ag are 𝑙𝑢𝑓'𝑓𝑢𝑡, 𝑘𝑖𝑙𝑎𝑦𝑎𝑜, 𝑝𝑖𝑙𝑎𝑔𝑝𝑎𝑔𝑒𝑛, and 𝑠𝑖𝑙𝑎𝑦𝑢𝑡𝑡𝑖. There is no upper clothing for men, only the Ba-ag.
Nowadays, weavers are incorporating minimal new designs and colors, and have expanded to other clothing such as blouses, jackets, and other textiles while staying true to their identity (Narra Studio, n.d.)
The community of Mabilong in the town of Lubuagan is the main center of Kalinga weaving. The backstrap weaving techniques used by the Mabilong weavers are well known, and they are taught to their daughters as soon as they can use the loom. In fact, male family members also participate in weaving, so it is not just a women's pastime.
Kalinga weavers are one of the indigenous peoples that are actively changing the worlds of fashion nowadays, and their work have impacted the region and even dominating the international fashion industry.
In photos are the native attire for men and women in Kalinga.
𝑺𝒊𝒌𝒂 𝒏𝒈𝒂𝒚 𝒎𝒆𝒕 𝒌𝒂𝒊𝒍𝒚𝒂𝒏, 𝒂𝒏𝒚𝒂 𝒏𝒈𝒂𝒚 𝒎𝒆𝒕 𝒅𝒂𝒈𝒊𝒋𝒂𝒚 𝒏𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒂𝒕𝒕𝒊𝒓𝒆𝒔 𝒚𝒖?
Caption: Ram Saliw-an and Jonalyn Saguilot
Pubs by: Jonalyn Saguilot
Model: Althea P. Valdez
Rolly C. Sawad
References:
Narra Studio. (n.d.). The weaving of Kalinga. https://narrastudio.com/blogs/journal/the-weaving-of-kalinga
Isle, J. (2018). Pictures and description of Kalinga Costumes. http://theclamorofkalinga.blogspot.com/2018/09/descriptions-of-kalinga-costumes.html?m=1
