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Binakol (Kusikus/Alipugpug) (c)

LOCAL NAME:

Binakol (Kusikus/Alipugpug) (c)

ENGLISH NAME:

Whirlpool/Whirlwind design

DESCRIPTION:

Abra, Tinguian, Itneg, Ilocos, & Ilocano: Binakol (Kusikus or Alipugpug)
A three-paneled binakol blanket in colors black and white with big red plaids running along its length and width

COMMONLY USED BY/IN:

Abra, Tinguian, Itneg, Ilocos, Ilocano

MATERIAL COMPOSITION:

Cotton threads, Natural dye

ITEM CONSTRUCTION:

Double-toned basket weave, Stitching, Dyeing

DIMENSIONS:

Length
179.5 cm

Width
145.5 cm

ACQUISITION YEAR:

2021

RESEARCH DATA:

This blanket features the binakol or binakul textile design, commonly woven in Abra and Ilocos. BinakoI can mean “made spherical” (Pastor-Roces, 1991, p.77) or “twill,” describing the shape and appearance of the motif or design, but it can also refer to a type of Ilocano inabel textile. Although binakol textiles are created using the plain weave technique, they stand out among plain woven textiles due to the intricate techniques used and the distinctiveness of the produced textile itself. Weaving the binakol requires specific techniques using two-colored weft yarns that are typically black and white, green and white, blue and white, and sometimes red and white (Respicio, 2015). The geometric patterns created have an illusionary effect and are often seen as psychedelic optical illusions. These designs are intentionally woven to confuse or repel and distract evil spirits (Salvador-Amores, 2019).

The specific design of this textile in the collection is composed of multiple whirlpool/whirlwind motifs, locally known as kusikus/alipugpug with hand woven red bands that serve as borders.

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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