Lesson 1

Folk Arts from Ilocos Region and Cordillera Autonomous Region (CAR)

Definition of Terms:
1. Motif in visual arts means a repeated pattern or theme. In textile arts such as weaving, it is a
recurring element or a fragment of that piece when joined together makes a larger work.
2. Textile refer to a cloth that involves weaving or making of cloth using natural or artificial
threads or fibers.
3. Folk arts are expressions of the community in their crafts that are usually made because of
their utilitarian and functional purpose instead of a mere aesthetics.
4. Aesthetics is a science of judging beauty.
5. Dye are coloring materials that are made of natural or synthetic pigments for coloring fibers
used in cloth weaving.
6. Loom weaving is a process of weaving using a loom - a device use to weave a cloth.

ILOCOS REGION
Ilocanos are among the largest ethno-linguistic groups in the country. Majority of them
are living in La Union, Abra, Isabela and in other parts of the country. The Ilocanos are highly
influenced by Christianity. It is evident with several old Spanish churches found across the
region and the old houses built during the colonial times. The Paoay church and the old houses
of Vigan are reminders of the distant past that continue to lull visitors from local and
international tourists.
Their arts and culture are so diverse. They are known for their iloco or inabel fabric.
This especial fabric is made from cotton which undergo the painstaking binatbatan or beating
of the cotton balls using bamboo sticks to separate the seeds during the initial stage. The
traditional threads are dyed from the sap of black plum called sagut that are abundant in
Mangaldan in Pangasinan but artificial dyes are already introduced for commercial
production. Products from this fabric includes blankets, bags, camisa-chino, bed linens, and
more. This weaving tradition is called panagabel - the oldest Ilocano tradition that they have
inherited from their ancestors. The main ingredients of this loom weaving are tilar, sinulid
and pasensya (patience).
Ilocanos are also noted for their foods such as the diningding and pinakbet – two of
the most loved dishes in our country today.

PANGASINAN
Pangasinan is known as the salt capital of the region during the pre-Hispanic times.
Popular stories say it is a Muslim kingdom trading with Arabs and Chinese an was the land
once ruled by Urduja, a warrior princess who fought and won many battles during her time.
During our country's quest for freedom from Spain, it is the venue of Palaris Revolt. It was
believed that on its lush green vegetation along its sea coasts was where the pirate Limahong
retreated and gained force after his unsuccessful campaign in Manila. The natives helped him
escape from the pursuing Spaniards towards the open sea back to his own country. The
province of Pangasinan is the second province of our national hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal where his
childhood love blossomed when he fell in love with his cousin, Leonor Rivera from
Pangasinan. Arts and crafts include the smoothly-weaved Bolinao mats made from buri or rama
leaves, the bamboo crafts of San Carlos, bagoong, and the tasty tapang bangus.
 CORDILLERA AUTONOMOUS REGION (CAR)
BENGUET
It is located in the Cordillera Autonomous Region (CAR). It is the home for the
Cordilleran (the politically correct term for Igorots). Aside from them, there were Tagalogs,
Ibalois, Ilocanos, Kankanaey, and Ikalahan living in Benguet.
The Igorots are hillside dwellers. This condition explains why most of them are farmers
and their artistic expressions are related to farming such as the tinalik baskets made from rattan.
They are also famous because of their farming on terraces carved out of the mountain.

KALINGA
The people of Kalinga are also great weavers. Their cloth weaving and basketry are among
the finest products in the region. Kalinga textiles are characterized by dominant red stripes and
motifs of geometric patterns as well as nature symbols interlaced with white, yellow, and black
fibers.

IFUGAO
The term Ifugao means people from the hills that is why non-Cordillerans called them
Igorots but they prefer the first name. Their arts and culture revolve around rice as a prestigious
crop. Their legends tell that the first grains of rice are given to men by the gods.
The Ifugaos weave a loincloth called ikat which is actually an Indonesian term, meaning to
bind together. Their motif is characterized by diamond stripes of white and red stripes. The
dominant color is blue.
Compared to Kalinga cloth, Ifugao loincloth are less colorful and darker in color as opposed
to bright colors and bead-accented clothes of the Kalinga. Weaving in Ifugao is an exclusive task
for women. At least two women are needed to make the long and tedious preparation for
weaving.
The Ifugaos are also great basket weavers. They have different types of baskets depending
on their use and in their size. They are also known for amulets that are made of beads, gold,
bronze and other materials. These amulets are called lingling-o or dinumug used as fertility
symbols and worn around the neck.

MOUNTAIN PROVINCE
It is located in the Cordillera central mountain and known for its hanging coffins and
mummified bodies. They employed special burial techniques that could equal the techniques of
mummification in ancient Egypt. The humid air and atmosphere in Mountain province caves
helped preserved the bodies. These mummies are called fire mummies, Benguet mummies,
Kabayan mummies and many more names. The province is home to Ibalois.
Close examination of the fire mummies reveals body tattoos - a form of body art
practiced by most of the cultural communities in the Philippines from Luzon to Visayas and
some parts of Mindanao.
The province is also known for their Kadangyan burial cloth for rich people. Only
grandmothers are allowed to weave it during the olden times.
 Tattoo art is another form of folk arts in Mountain Province. For them, tattoo is part of
clothing and is considered decoration. It also signifies a rite of passage from youth to adult life
or heroism, status in the community, and bravery. The Kabayan mummies are adorned with
body tattoos that are similar to their cloth patterns.
The people of Bontoc are also great weavers. Their cloth fabrics are used for blanket and
clothing called siniwsiwan. These fabrics are used for wanes or men's G-string; the women use
the fabric as wrap-around called getup or lufid. This fabric is also displayed at home in a form
of blankets. The motif of the Bontocs include geometric shapes of things around them such as
man, lizard, mountain, rains, and flower.
Married women of Bontoc and Kankana-y in the Northern Cordillera wears a type of belt
called ginaspala wanes with inawin designs composed of continuous zigzag pattern woven in
double faced with braided warps that ends as tassels.
In terms of basketry, the Bontocs are known for their diffetent types of baskets such as
the bobo and suklang. Bobo is a type of basket used to catch fish in the river. Suklang is an
everyday hat used by men for their matches, tobacco, and beetle nut for chewing. Married men
usually wear simple suklang while decorated one for the unmarried males.
Ikat weaving is important among the Bontocs. For generations, they are weaving abaca
fibers after a delicate process of trying and dying. The ikat cloth is an important part of dowry
in many cultures.

Abra
The original settlers of Abra are the ancestors of Bontocs and Ifugaos. When they left
Abra and settled in the Ifugao and Mountain Province, the Tingguians dominated the province
until the coming of the Ilocanos for trade but later they were driven up the mountains.
The people of Abra use natural dye and still practicing loom weaving and they embellish
the woven fabric cloth of embroideries in their fabrics.