Albong anbang (a)
LOCAL NAME:
Albong anbang (a)
ENGLISH NAME:
Blaan appliquéd women’s blouse
DESCRIPTION:
Blaan, South Cotabato: Albong anbang
A female upper garment with a black cotton base cloth, embellished with embroidery, mother-of-pearl sequins, and appliqué
COMMONLY USED BY/IN:
Blaan, South Cotabato, Mindanao
MATERIAL COMPOSITION:
Cotton threads, Thread, Natural dye, Mother-of-pearl
ITEM CONSTRUCTION:
Weaving, Dyeing, Stitching, Embroidery, Appliqué
DIMENSIONS:
Length
43.5 cm
Width
46 cm
Sleeves
42 cm
ACQUISITION YEAR:
2021
RESEARCH DATA:
The Blaan are dubbed as the “most accomplished embroiderers” in the region, though their textile skills extend beyond intricate embroidery (Hamilton, 1998, p. 42). This piece from the collection is an example of their craftsmanship in appliqué (anbang), combined with embroidery (ansif) and mother-of-pearl shell disks (takmun). The sleeves and lower edges of the bodice are appliquéd with red and white cloth, occupying the large portion of the garment’s decorative surface, making this blouse an albong anbang or appliqué blouse.
Geometric embroidery resembling cross-like figures is configured across the front and back sections of the garment, interspersed with shell sequins along the bodice. One arm section shows a visible repair executed through patchwork and the seams were stitched with red embroidery.
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