RESEARCH DATA:

The Itneg (otherwise known as Tinguian) in Abra would refer to these bead ensembles as tinali. The name is derived from the fact that it is fastened to the forearm (tali, which means to “tie”). It used to be a tedious technique that required tying at least thirty-five bracelet strands. Maramba (1998) claims that the reason it is called tinali is because each of the hundreds of exquisite bracelets were initially tied by hand. The Tinguian consider this to be a sign of beauty since the individual strands are tied so tightly that parts of the arm start to swell.This piece is fastened by threads, and in some cases buttons making it easily controllable (Maramba, 1998). They are worn in pairs by women from the wrist to the forearm; and on the upper shoulders.