Get To Know The Kalinga Cultural Textiles And Their Preservation

Kalinga, a land embraced with rich culture, is renowned not only for Apo Whang-od's timeless tattoos and the resonant sounds of its gongs but also for its exquisite textiles. Picture yourself wrapped in a piece of history, where every thread whispers tales of ancient traditions and vibrant cultures. These fabrics are more than just visually stunning; they are intricately woven tapestries that narrate the beautiful heritage of Kalinga's majestic mountains.

In the olden times, barks from native plants and trees, namely, “BUTEYG,” “SAG-UT,” “ISUT,” and plant dyes, were used to create materials for the beautiful tapestry. The exquisite creations were formed through indigenous backstrap weaving by hard-working male and female locals to showcase the beauty and originality of the Kalingas. The woven cloths were made into blankets and draperies and were more commonly used as “tapis” (skirt) for women and “baag” (loincloth) and cape for men. With the elaborate process of domestic weaving, a few were created in the old times, and those belonging to affluent families or the “Kadangyans” were the first to wear the fabrics.

From generation to generation, locals are taught to value the significance of the woven textile not just for economic reasons but also to give worth to the ingenuity and identity of the Kalinga ancestry. Although there are now numerous colors used for the fabric, distinct ones are red, black, yellow, green, and white, the colors of which bespeak the characteristics of the Kalingafolks. According to the books of the Kalinga Tourism Office, red represents filial piety, as kinship is very strong in the Kalinga community; black represents bravery because of their fearlessness; yellow represents joy since this color is often displayed and used during festive occasions; green represents the backdrop forests and mountains which were the source of their living; and lastly, white, which means change and transformation in life.

Over the years, weavers have mastered the skills of weaving, and with access to materials of the same quality in the market, production has become more efficient. This enables local designers and brands like Froilan Dosdosen, Bagoyan, Cassidy Designs, CJ Designers Fashion Boutique, Taitana’s Dress Shop & Kalinga Woven Products and Rovies Kalinga Products to bring their imaginative visions to life, creating an array of beautiful and unique pieces. 

Take a look at the designs below to see their remarkable creations.

Article by Sasha Luyaben