Why Women Of The T'Boli Tribe In The Philippines Are Called Dream Weavers

More than simply a honed skill, the craft of weaving for the T’Boli tribe in the Philippines is a spiritual undertaking. From the conceptualization of the design, to the actual weaving process and how the finished product is treated, each part is handled with utmost sanctity. The women who have preserved this spiritual tradition are referred to as “Dream Weavers”.

South of the Philippine archipelago lies the province of South Cotabato. And it is here that the ethnic group of the T’boli people reside. In its municipality of Lake Sebu, a type of cloth is hand-woven out of Abaca (a plant native to the Philippines) fibers. Known as T’nalak, this traditional cloth is highly-regarded – just as its weaving-process, and as are the women who make them.

http://instagram.com/p/BKf_jKhgIuw/

The term is taken from how the weaving process begins. The Dream Weavers don’t follow self-invented patterns. Instead, they believe that the designs of the t’nalak they create are brought to them in their dreams by Fu Dalu, the spirit of the Abaca. They then bring these patterns to life by weaving solely from mental images and memory.

Weaving t’nalak is a painstaking process that requires patience, craftsmanship, and time (depending on the length, some pieces can take over several months to finish). First, the fibers are harvested, combed, and air-dried. The end of each fiber is then tied to another until the thin chain of fibers is long enough for the final product. To color the fibers, natural dyes are extracted from roots and plants. The most common colors used are black, red, and white.

http://instagram.com/p/BVLXsDQlkx7/

The sanctity of the tradition is retained throughout the creation process. As such, some rules are observed. For instance, they aren’t allowed to step over the fabric. They are also instructed to avoid any ill disposition while weaving. When the cloth has finally taken shape, it is flattened by a thorough beating with wood, and polished with a cowrie shell. The same sacred respect is carried over to the final product, which is why stepping on it is prohibited.

The t’nalak is used in every important life event of the T’boli, from birth, to marriage, to death. This, and the belief that it is a gift from nature and their gods, makes the entire t’nalak tradition a vital part of their culture. So while many outsiders looking to capitalize on this sacred practice have taken to mass producing this material, it is very important that people are made aware of its cultural significance to the T’boli, especially to the Dream Weavers who are trying to keep the authenticity of this spiritual tradition alive.

http://instagram.com/p/BVTgoTrBLP6/

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.