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FAST FACTS
Provincial Origin: Basilan
Fiber Composition: Silk
Method: Tapestry Weaving
Identifiers: Colorful, Geometric, Thick
The polychormatic wrap-around skirt used by women of the Yakan language group of Basilan featured here is one type–the inalaman–among a remarkable number of types in their textile typology. The category is a tapestry-woven garment that was traditionally woven of silk threads of deep, iridescent registers of purple, gold, green, magenta, and blue.
The Yakan & Philippine Textile Heritage
The Yakan are speakers of one of the nine Sama-Bajau languages of Basilan, Tawi Tawi, Sulu, and parts of Borneo and Sulawesi: Sama Dilaut, Sama Pangutaran, Sama Bangingih, Jama Mapun, Central Sinama, Indonesian Bajau, West Coast Bajau (Borneo language), plus Inabaknon (a Sama language spoken in the Visayas). Of these various language groups, only the Yakan have a weaving heritage of multiple technical conventions.
Exhibit Provenance
Pieces woven for this project were produced, collectively, by Naira Ajallun, 40, and Nasra Unda, 50, both from Tipo-Tipo, Lamitan, Basilan, joined by Dasinan Sahdan Bure, 66, and Sanira Ahaddas Junggol, 43, of Lamitan City, of the island province of Basilan. The project was coordinated by Neida Nanak Kabil Ahaddas, 52, head of the Kamasahan Community Dance, Music, and Weave Troupe.
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