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Fikum (b)

LOCAL NAME:

Fikum (b)

ENGLISH NAME:

Shell belt

DESCRIPTION:

A hip ornament with a large mother-of-pearl bivalve etched with fine patterns similar to those incorporated in textiles and tattoos. A small disk made of a mother-of-pearl shell is attached to the large shell’s middle front.

COMMONLY USED BY/IN:

Bontoc, Mountain Province

MATERIAL COMPOSITION:

Mother-of-pearl shell, Coconut shell, Paracord

ITEM CONSTRUCTION:

Braiding, Etching, Carving

DIMENSIONS:

Diameter: 16.5 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.

REFERENCES:

Maramba, R. (1998). Form and Splendor: Personal Adornment of Northern Luzon Ethnic Group. Manila: Bookmark, Inc.
Anderson, E. M., & van den Muijzenberg, O. D. (2010). In the Shape of Tradition: Indigenous art of the Northern Philippines. Netherlands: Zwartenkot Art Books.

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