RESEARCH DATA:

This textile from the collection is a wanes, traditionally worn by men from the Bontoc and Kankana-ey communities of Mountain Province. The design is shared among these groups, with three vertical stripes running along the length of the cloth. The decorated bottom section, locally known as pagpag, is typically dense with striped motifs, honeycomb-like patterns (pukyutan or sinullaman), and overarching half-diamond, caret, or zigzag designs. According to Araneta and Lim (2014), these patterns symbolize mountains and rivers, reflecting the community’s natural landscape (p. 108). The color combinations vary depending on the weaver (San Agustin, 2007). When worn, the pagpag hangs loose to display these designs (San Agustin, 2007).

REFERENCES:

Araneta, P. & Lim, A. R. (2014). Art and the Order of Nature: The Mercedes Zobel Collection of Indigenous Philippine Textiles. Ayala Foundation, Inc.

San Agustin, L. (2007). The Bontoc Tribal Attire. In The Traditional Attires of the Igorot Tribes (pp. 41-53). Central Book Supply, Inc.