Abaca cloth is woven from the outer sheath of the trunk of a banana species indigenous to the Philippines.

ONLINE LECTURES

Textile Museum Associates of Southern California

Woven Dreams from Sacred Mountains: Textile Traditions of the Tboli & Blaan of Mindanao

January 9, 2021. 11 a.m. PST.
This is an online presentation via Zoom
Webinar Registration here

http://www.tmasc.org/default.htm The Tboli and Blaan people of the southernmost island of Mindanao in the Philippines offers some of the most beautiful, skillful and sacred examples of material culture to be found throughout Southeast Asia. The weaving of the abaca ikat fabric (tnalak) has become synonymous with the Tboli, as has their intricate beadwork, embroidery and brasswork which richly decorates their garments. The Blaan, sister tribe to the Tboli, weave their own treasured and rare abaca ikat cloth (tabih). Their spectacular heirloom garments are adorned with impressive patterns of hand-hewn, mother-of-pearl beads.  Independent researcher and collector Craig Diamond presents the ikat weaving traditions of both tribes as well as identifying and discussing the impressive garments worn by both the men and women.