Fikum (a)
LOCAL NAME:
Fikum (a)
ENGLISH NAME:
Shell belt
DESCRIPTION:
An ornate hip adornment featuring a large mother-of-pearl bivalve intricately etched with patterns reminiscent of those found in textiles and tattoos. This shell ornament is accompanied by a belt crafted from braided and corded rattan fiber, adorned with half-split cowrie shells, and secured at the front by a small disk made from a coconut shell.
COMMONLY USED BY/IN:
Bontoc, Mountain Province
MATERIAL COMPOSITION:
Mother-of-pearl shell, Coconut shell, Rattan, Paracord, Cowrie shell
ITEM CONSTRUCTION:
Braiding, Etching, Carving
DIMENSIONS:
Shell
Diameter: 23.5 cm
Belt
Length: 76 cm
Width: 3 cm
ACQUISITION YEAR:
2021
RESEARCH DATA:
Known as fikum or tikam, this hip ornament is a customary accessory worn by Bontoc men. Positioned at the front or side of the waist, fikum is commonly donned during rituals, serving a purely ornamental purpose. In some luxurious variations, copper chains are incorporated instead of rattan cords (Maramba, 1998).
Historically, the towns of Bontoc and Samoki (now part of the municipality of Bontoc), along with the areas to their east and south in Bontoc Mountain Province, were the specific regions where fikum was traditionally worn. This artifact holds significant value in Bontoc and is considered a rare adornment exclusively worn by affluent Bontoc men.
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