the number of weavers and pocket communities that uphold the tradition of
weaving get smaller and smaller and consequently, more women are losing their
source of livelihood. As it stands, there are less than 10 master weavers left in the
country. Given the nature of handcrafted goods, the weavers of the Philippines
cannot produce items at the speed and price of mass market goods.
The tapis , a costume indigenous to the Kalinga and Apayao. It is a
rectangular cloth , women wear as a wraparound skirt. The garment is woven
with backs trap body tension looms, embroidered with nature inspired
patterns and are sometimes adorned with mother of pearl platelets and shells,
which represent wealth prestige in the area. In the Northern Luzon, women
from the town of Lubuagan in Kalinga weave to earn an income that ivital in
providing the needs for families. Weaving in Kalinga is a tradition that is passed on to the subsequent
generations from mother to daughter. Girls begin to weave as early as 10 years old. Men also participate in
making thecraft. Some of the design includes mountains, birds, lakes and stars
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