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Kain (f)

LOCAL NAME:

Kain (f)

ENGLISH NAME:

Wrap-around skirt

DESCRIPTION:

Kalinga: Kain
A two-paneled terracotta-colored skirt featuring red, indigo, and yellow stripe patterns

COMMONLY USED BY/IN:

Kalinga

MATERIAL COMPOSITION:

Cotton threads, Natural dye

ITEM CONSTRUCTION:

Plain weave, Brocade weave, Dyeing, Stitching

DIMENSIONS:

Length
115 cm

Width
65 cm

ACQUISITION YEAR:

2016

RESEARCH DATA:

The Kalinga people, often referred to as the “Peacocks of the North” (San Agustin, 2007), are known for their vibrant color palettes, as well as the intricate patterns and embroideries in their textiles. This wrap-around skirt, locally known as kain, exemplifies this preference for vivid hues and elaborate designs. Motifs often embody cultural values, worldviews, and beliefs, as well as elements of the natural landscape. Notably, red is a dominant color in Kalinga textiles, symbolizing blood and reflecting their strong sense of filial piety (Ngao-i, 2022). Along the warp edges, checkered patterns in red, yellow, and indigo woven in supplementary weft run perpendicular to the primary striped design.

REFERENCES:

Ngao-i, L. (2022). Laga: Indigenous Textile of Kalinga, Northern Philippines. Golden Press.

San Agustin, L. P. (2007). The Bontoc Tribal Attire. In Traditional Attires of the Igorot Tribes (pp. 41-53). Central Book Supply, Inc

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