Pinilian (Sinan-bayabas) (d)
LOCAL NAME:
Pinilian (Sinan-bayabas) (d)
ENGLISH NAME:
Blanket with guava leaves-like design
DESCRIPTION:
Abra, Tinguian, & Itneg: Pinilian (Sinan-bayabas)
A three-paneled blanket featuring guava leaves on a plaid red-and-black background
COMMONLY USED BY/IN:
Abra, Tinguian, Itneg
MATERIAL COMPOSITION:
Cotton threads, Natural dye
ITEM CONSTRUCTION:
Brocade weave, Embroidery, Stitching, Dyeing
DIMENSIONS:
Length
240 cm
Width
143.5 cm
ACQUISITION YEAR:
2011
RESEARCH DATA:
Pinilian blankets are one of the most notable woven textiles in the Cordillera region. The Tinguian or Itneg mainly use pinilian textiles to make blankets called ules or owes. These blankets are made by stitching together two or more woven panels with detailed designs that include anthropomorphic, botanical, celestial, geometric, and zoomorphic motifs. Pastor-Roces (1991) explains that pinilian is the process of turning a weaver's design ideas into two-dimensional patterns on textile. This weaving technique creates embroidery-like patterns that float in relief on the cloth’s surface (Pastor-Roces, 1991). The word "pinilian" comes from "pili," meaning "choose" or "select," and refers to the special weaving technique used.
The guava design, locally known as sinan-bayabas, is a prominent motif in Abra textiles. According to Cooper-Cole (1922), the Itneg utilized guava (Psidium guajava L.) a source of food and medicine. The shrub has been so deeply integrated into their culture that they were inspired to incorporate the forms of its leaves into their woven textiles. This motif is often set against a plaid background and accompanied by other designs. In this textile, diamond patterns in supplementary weft appear beside the guava leaves, while diamond-shaped embroidery was used to join the panels.
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