RESEARCH DATA:

This wrap-around skirt from the collection is an example of the Ga’dang aken. It features the la-lad weave and tiny diamond patterns within the weave. According to San Agustin (2007), the la-lad is a plain weave of stripes in brown and deep red, or in some cases, black. This textile, however, features only the deep red stripes, some of which have narrow yellow outlines. Typically, the Ga’dang aken is worn during festive activities or special occasions (San Agustin, 2007). The short ends, or warp edges, as well as the weft borders of the skirt, are adorned with intricately embroidered white beads in a continuous triangle pattern called the mata-mata (San Agustin, 2007). Additionally, the two panels are joined by similar beadwork, with two additional lines of embroidered beads running from warp edge to warp edge in the middle of each panel. The ends of these three lines of beadwork are decorated with hanging tassel beads. In terms of how the skirt is worn, San Agustin (2007) noted that, unlike other wrap-around skirts in the Cordillera, the aken’s vertical short ends, or warp edges, do not overlap, leaving one side of the skirt open. The Ga’dang belt (bakwat/bakkas) secures the skirt and covers the gap along one thigh (San Agustin, 2007).