The Tagolwanen Banig Weavers

By Mara Fabella

The tradition of mat weaving is a sacred and persisting practice for the Tagolwanen. The Tagolwanen
Women Weavers Association, founded in 2012 by indigenous people’s advocate Lorielinda Rago and her
husband Anilaw Marte, has helped the weavers of Bukidnon and Tagolwanen continue their practice.
The TWWA has worked to both support the livelihoods of the weavers and allow Tagolwanen weaving
and culture to endure and thrive.

By the head water of Tagoloan River in Malaybalay, Philippines, live the female weavers of the
Bukidnon-Tagolwanen tribe. For many communities in the Philippines, especially in Mindanao, weaving
is an essential part of culture and daily life. For the Tagolwanen women, weaving manifests itself in the
form of artisanal mats or banigs, known among their community as ikam. Each weaver spends her day
going through the intricate process of weaving the circular and colorfully decorated mats, each with a
design unique to the weaver. Unlike most rectangular textiles that can be woven using a loom, the ikam
is woven spiraling outward from the center and therefore must be done completely by hand.

Weavers of the Tagolwanen Women Weavers Association or TWWA

The material that the Tagolwanen use for their mats is a type of grass called sodsod. Sodsod grass is a
type of cogon grass that grows as tall stalks that invade large tracts of land. The Tagolwanen farm these
long blades of grass and have to take extra care to preserve their structural integrity so that the mats
they create are both sturdy and pliable. Weavers have to get up extra early to start the weaving process
while the blades are still fresh to make sure they do not wilt before being woven into the mat. For the
Tagolwanen, each individual strand of grass is a reflection of their people’s artistry and dedication to
their craft.

There are plenty of factors that influence the production and designs of these woven mats. The common
form of the ikam is circular, featuring concentric radial patterns and colorful bands that spiral outward
from a plain-colored center. These mats are popular among customers for their decorative value.

The Tagolwanen live near the large Tagoloan River in Mindanao and thus have a close relationship with
their environment. The weavers interpret what they see among their surroundings through their
designs. The binakesan design emulates the repetitive nature of snakeskin. Binulakbulak is a decorative
motif inspired by flowers.

There are also the more traditional rectangular mats, or banig, that feature geometric patterns. These
kinds of mats are divided into three categories by design. The tinulisan mats bear shapes, like squares or
diamonds, organized into columns and rows. The binakusan aligns these shapes diagonally, and the
bukanayo arranges shapes and fine details into a neat grid. These rectangular mats are used as
tablecloths and placemats, while their designs are sometimes incorporated into handbags.

At NARRA, we are honored to carrying the work of the Tagolwanen Women Weavers Association here in
the U.S. to further expand the reach and visibility of their beautiful work. In addition to mat weaving, the
TWWA creates handwoven sun hats, bags, and plant containers that bring joyful reminders of the
Philippines into our daily lives.