LANG DULAY

Coming all the way from Lake Sebu in South Cotabato, Lang Dulay, as recognized for her contribution as a textile weaver, was born on August 3, 1928. She was twelve years old when she first learned how to weave and through the years it had been her greatest hope that this tradition would be passed on to the future generations of T’boli people. Starting with the base, the art of tnalak weaving begins with the stripping of abaca plant fibers and tying its dry threads, strand by strand. Afterwards, natural dyes are used to give the tnalak its infamous vibrant colors. Finally, the roll of tnalak will be set on the back strap loom for finishing touches. 

Going a few years back, she was touched by the recognition from the NCCA through her Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan award. After her many years of teaching tnalak weaving to her grandchildren and fellow T’boli women, this sacred tradition has been living in their community for more than 50 years now. Furthermore, Lang Dulay Tnalak was best known for her ability to tell vivid stories that emerged from her dreams and translating those into her textiles— her designs. One of her visions that soon became a reality would be to build a school for women who would be taught how to make the tnalak as she believed in the impact that it holds. 

By tradition, the father is the head of any T’Boli family; his orders are followed in making all decisions. Additionally, depending on the man’s economic resources, he can have more than one wife, which is considered to be something prestigious in their culture. Though not exactly appointed in a hereditary manner, the T’Boli society is ruled by a datu who assumes several roles relating to social, economic, religious and political functions. For their livelihood, the T’Boli subsist on hunting, fishing and cultivation. In terms of unique knowledge systems, the T’Bolis do not regard death as inevitable, rather it is a trick played by the busao or evil spirits, or punishment inflicted by gods. This is rooted in the belief that one’s spirit leaves one’s body when one is asleep, and one awakens the moment the spirit returns. Thus, should the spirit not return, death occurs. The T’Bolis’ supreme deities are a married couple, Kadaw La Sambad, the sun god and Bulon La Mogoaw, the moon goddess. One of the most influential figures in the T’Boli pantheon is the muhen, a bird considered the god of fate whose song when heard is thought to presage misfortune. Any undertaking is immediately abandoned or postponed when one hears the muhen sing. The T’Boli also believe in busao (malevolent spirits)which wreak havoc on the lives of human beings, thus causing misfortune and illness. Desu or propitiatory offerings of onuk bukay (white chicken) or sedu (pig) are made to placate or gain favors from these evil spirits.