1. How did this t'nalak craft relate to the culture of the Lumads in Mindanao? 2. What is the importance of t'nalak in the lives of the Lumads in Mindanao
1. T'nalak (also spelled tinalak), is a weaving tradition of the T'boli people of South Cotabato, Philippines.[1] T'nalak cloth is woven exclusively by women who have received the designs for the weave in their dreams, which they believe are a gift from Fu Dalu, the T'boli Goddess of abacá.[1]
The rest of the community, including the men, are able to participate in the production of T'nalak by carefully selecting, stripping, and sun-drying the abacá fibers to be used.[1][2] Once the fibers have been prepared, they are dyed using the dye-resist technique called "ikat", based on the pattern dreamt by the weaver; the woman gifted by Fu Dalu with the design then weaves the clothusing a backstrap loom.
using a backstrap loom.[1][2]The fact that the designs are derived from the dreams of the weavers means that traditional t'nalak patterns cannot be mass-produced.[3] Because the patterns are based on dreams, the weavers of t'nalak are popularly referred to as dreamweavers.[4]
2. The T'boli's t'nalak are prized fabrics believed to be inspired by the dreams of the woman weavers. The Mandaya, Agusan Manobo, and Ata share numerous cultural traits and social institutions such as in clothing and religious rituals. They practice slash-and-burn farming and trade with neighbors.
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2. The T'boli's t'nalak are prized fabrics believed to be inspired by the dreams of the woman weavers. The Mandaya, Agusan Manobo, and Ata share numerous cultural traits and social institutions such as in clothing and religious rituals. They practice slash-and-burn farming and trade with neighbors.