RESEARCH DATA:

The anthropomorphic motifs on this loincloth are produced through the binobodan (Wanoh | Museo Kordilyera, n.d.), a dyeing process in Ifugao in which sections of warp threads are purposefully tied to resist the dye and form the desired motifs. A plain weaving technique is used to weave this ikat garment, as with other ikat textiles. This particular loincloth from the collection is called wanno/wanoh or binulhan/binuhlan by the Ifugao. Loincloths like this may feature various motifs; this specific garment features anthropomorphic ikat motifs. The anthropomorphic motif is identified as the tinaggu, which represents the deified Ifugao ancestors (Martin et al., 2020). According to Martin et al. (2020), this motif invokes a form of protection from Ifugao ancestors whose status has been elevated to demi-gods because they lived with virtue and performed great deeds during their time on Pugaw, the earth/physical world. A similar loincloth is featured in Labhat & Malingan (2011), where it is identified as the pfinodpfod—a type of loincloth traditionally worn by wealthy elders in Ifugao society, known as kadangyan. The pfinodpfod is also used in rituals such as the pfallaong (Labhat & Malingan, 2011).