Inabel Weaving
Inabel weaving is a traditional technique that originated in the Ilocos Region of the Philippines. It is an art form that has been passed down through generations of Ilocanos and is considered an important part of their cultural heritage.
History
Inabel Weaving came from the Ilocano word “abel” which means weave. It has been a customary staple in Ilokano Culture as such procedure and product stands as a cornerstone of their region. It is considered to be a traditional and long-established handwoven textile art widely used and well-known in Ilocos. Weavers use various fibers such as cotton, abaca, and pineapple to create intricate and sophisticated patterns and designs. Such craftsmanship has been part of a long history rooted back to the pre-colonial era wherein the concept of weaving has been passed down from one generation to another and is very significant in developing their cultural identity.
During the Spanish colonization, the business of inabel weaving prospered due to a number of reasons. As the demand for textiles increased drastically due to Spanish inhabitants using them for everyday clothing and household items. Another reason would be the innovations introduced by the Spaniards as these new equipment and techniques manage to enhance the potential of the Ilocano Product. As the 20th century came to be, industrialization and mass production has slowly taken over the fabric industry in which weaving fell victim to as they were no match to an automated workhorse. In spite of such challenge, interest in traditional arts and crafts re-emerged in the 1970s which inabel textiles highly benefitted. Even to this day, hand artistry is still practiced among Ilocanos specifically in the towns of Ilocos Sur such as Burgos and Tagudin. It remains to be authentic as not has much changed, weavers continue to use classic backhand looms and hand-spun cotton.
USES
Inabel Weaving is a native product achieved through diverse weaving techniques and natural dyes in order to create stand-out patterns and tessellations. Such fabric/cloth is heavily utilized on a day-to-day basis as it serves as a multi-functional material in the everyday lives of Ilocanos. It is created and developed for several purposes such as:
Clothing – This technique of weaving has the capacity to create traditional and conventional local clothing from the likes of a barong for men and skirts for women. It is a very favored medium of fabric to use as it is lightweight, comfortable, and breathable which is suitable for the Philippine Climate.
Home Decoration – Such fabric is also present in most homes of Ilocos as it is turned into curtains, table runners, table runners, and even pillowcases. With the complexity and elegance of the designs, it is a very well-received additional touch to a household.
Bags or Accessories – The inabel’s purpose is not only limited inside the house but can also be used by people for their outside agendas as the fabric can be made into stylish bags, purses, wallets, and other personal accessories.
Gifts – With how versatile the cloth is, it is a very popular take-home gift of tourists for their loved ones as uniquely made products are present in the market from the likes of blankets, scarves, and shawls to woven baskets, pottery, and jewelry.
Influence
Inabel weaving has been important to the Ilocano community for centuries, not only as a means of creating textiles for everyday use but also as a form of social and cultural expression. Inabel holds a profound significance as it preserves centuries-old designs and patterns that reflect the history and beliefs of the community and are imbued with deep cultural significance.
Inabel textiles are woven from local cotton and are often used for traditional Filipino clothing, household items, and even ceremonial purposes such as weddings and other cultural events. Magdalena Gamayo has played a crucial role in preserving this weaving technique and has helped to ensure that these traditional fabrics continue to be produced and used in Filipino culture. Gamayo's mastery of this weaving technique has helped to preserve the traditional art form and promote its importance in the country's cultural heritage. She has also helped to create job opportunities for women in her community by teaching them the art of inabel weaving. In 2012, Gamayo was declared a National Living Treasure of the Philippines for her contributions to the country's cultural heritage. She has also received numerous awards and recognition for her work, including the Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan award, which is the highest award given to traditional artists in the Philippines. Through her inabel weaving, Magdalena Gamayo has not only preserved an important aspect of Philippine culture but also helped to contribute to the livelihoods of people in her community. But, nowadays, with the advancement of technology, most fabrics are being mass-produced, which led to the decline of inabel weavers making the traditional process of inabel weaving slowly deteriorate. That's why Magdalena Gamayo in her old age of 98 years old continues to inspire and encourage the younger generation to keep the art of inabel alive.
references
Aguinaldo, S. (2021). Abel Iloco – A Reflection Of Perseverance In Ilocos Weaving. Camella. Retrieved from: https://www.camella.com.ph/abel-iloco-a-reflection-of-perseverance-in-ilocos-weaving/?fbclid=IwAR2ctJAt_qEJO5eeb1ckNyCjo1NJti9CLHb6XKTgO1RJctBfBtJAO6avrpo
Manila Bulletin. (2014, March 11). Magdalena Gamayo: The grandmother of ‘Abel Iloko’. Loren Legarda. Retrieved on April 21, 2023, from: https://www.lorenlegarda.com.ph/magdalena-gamayo-the-grandmother-of-abel-iloko/
Neepa Hut. (2019, February 08). Inabel, A Rare Beauty. Retrieved on April 21, 2023, from: https://www.neepahut.com/blogs/weaving-stories/inabel-a-rare-beauty#:~:text=Coming%20from%20the%20root%20verb,tablemats%2C%20sweaters%2C%20and%20shawls.
Trocino, K.D. (2019). The Inabel of Ilocos: Woven cloth for everyday. Narra Studio. Retrieved from: https://narrastudio.com/blogs/journal/the-inabel-of-ilocos-woven-cloth-for-everyday#:~:text=In%20Ilocos%2C%20it%20is%20not,the%20tradition%20of%20inabel%20alive.