Aken (g)
LOCAL NAME:
Aken (g)
ENGLISH NAME:
Ga’dang wrap-around skirt
DESCRIPTION:
Ga’dang, Mountain Province, Isabela: Aken
A two-paneled wrap-around skirt with striped, diamond, and zigzag woven designs
COMMONLY USED BY/IN:
Ga’dang, Mountain Province, Isabela
MATERIAL COMPOSITION:
Cotton threads, Natural dye
ITEM CONSTRUCTION:
Weaving, Stitching, Embroidery
DIMENSIONS:
Length
92.5 cm
Width
59.5 cm
ACQUISITION YEAR:
2011
RESEARCH DATA:
This wrap-around skirt from the collection is an example of the Ga’dang aken. Compared to other variations that are heavily beaded, this one has no beadwork sewn onto its panels. It mainly features stripes, diamond, and zigzag weaving patterns. Typically, the Ga’dang aken is worn during festive activities or special occasions (San Agustin, 2007).
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).
REFERENCES: