Legarda: T’boli Dreamweavers to Showcase their Craft at National Museum

MANILA-T’boli weavers from Lake Sebu, South Cotabato will showcase their famous dream-inspired weaving during a two-day demonstration at the National Museum, said Senator Loren Legarda.

Legarda, patron of the country’s first permanent textile gallery, Hibla ng Lahing Filipino, said that the T’bolis are the featured weavers at the gallery on November 22-23, from 1:30-4:30 p.m.

“For the T’bolis of Lake Sebu, weaving, embroidery, beadwork and belt-making are important skills in keeping traditions alive because every item they make is an important part of their life,” she said.

For instance, the t’nalak is a cloth made of abaca that is usually used by the T’bolis during milestones like birth, marriage and death; while the embroidery they use to accentuate their traditional blouses narrate the story of their relationship with nature and the spirits.

“T’boli weavers are often called dreamweavers because the patterns they use for weaving are usually inspired by their dreams. The weaving demonstration is a chance for citizens to interact with these weavers,” said Legarda as she encouraged Filipinos to visit the museum for the demonstration.

The weekly weaving demonstrations at the Hibla gallery are part of the Lecture Series on Philippine Traditional Textiles and Indigenous Knowledge, which Legarda, in partnership with the National Museum, initiated since 2012 to perpetuate weaving and indigenous knowledge.

Previous demonstrators include the Ifugao weavers from Kiangan; the Kalinga weavers from Mabilong Weaving Center of Buscalan; weavers from Samoki, Mountain Province;sinamay weavers from Arevalo, Iloilo; the Panay Bukidnons who showed their panubokembroidery; patadyong weavers from the Bagtason Loom Weavers Association in Bugasong, Antique; weavers from the Yakan Village in Zamboanga City; and Mandaya weavers from Caraga, Davao Oriental.

The weaving demonstrations can be viewed on Saturdays and Sundays, at the Hibla gallery, located at the 4th Floor of the Museum of the Filipino People, Finance Road, Manila.