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Binakol (Kulalabang) (e)

LOCAL NAME:

Binakol (Kulalabang) (e)

ENGLISH NAME:

Combination of binakol and plaid designs

DESCRIPTION:

Abra, Tinguian, Itneg, Ilocos, & Ilocano: Binakol (Kulalabang)
A three-paneled binakol blanket in indigo and white, with patterns running along the width of the cloth. It is set against a plain white background.

COMMONLY USED BY/IN:

Abra, Tinguian, Itneg, Ilocos, Ilocano

MATERIAL COMPOSITION:

Cotton thread, Natural dye

ITEM CONSTRUCTION:

Double-toned basket weave, Stitching

DIMENSIONS:

Length
200 cm

Width
119.5 cm

ACQUISITION YEAR:

2021

DISPLAY STATUS:

BURC

RESEARCH DATA:

This textile from the collection features repeating patterns of binakol weaves embedded in the plaid design of the cloth. Kulalabang is the term for binakol blankets that are interspersed with a plaid design. Meanwhile, the term binakol may both refer to a spherical-patterned cloth and a variant of the inabel of Ilocanos that means “twill” (Pastor-Roces, 1991). Binakol blankets are done using the plain weave technique with warp and weft yarns colored in negative (indigo) and positive (white) hues. The interlocking of the warp and weft produces a mesmerizing pattern of gradated rectangles that emanate from a center and appear like an optical illusion that throb when seen by the viewer (Respicio, 2014).This blanket features binakol weaves that are said to resemble whirlwinds or whirlpools meant to ward off and confuse evil spirits because of its dizzying effect (Salvador-Amores, 2019).

REFERENCES:

Pastor-Roces, M. (1991). Sinaunang habi: Philippine ancestral weave. Manila: Nikki Books.

Respicio, N. A. (2014). The design techniques. In Journey of a thousand shuttles: The Philippine Weave. The National Commission for Culture and the Arts, pp. 70-73.

Salvador-Amores, A. (2019). Anthropological Analysis of Itneg Textiles. In Anthropological analysis, mathematical symmetry and technical characterization of Cordillera Textiles. Corditex Research Report, UP Baguio 2016-2019.

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