Fiber Ikat Panel (T’nalak)

This textile is a ceremonial cloth made of abaca fiber. Traditionally made by the Tboli people who live on the island of Mindanao, southern Philippines, these textiles were especially prominent at betrothal and marriage ceremonies. They are called tnalaks, and within the narrow range of material, color and design they display an amazing variety. The colors were derived from elements in nature and the material used was fiber from abaca bark. It is said that the designs came to the weavers in their dreams, and that was why the makers were referred to as “dream weavers.” The ikat technique used is a method of tie-dyeing threads before they are woven, thus producing fuzzy borders between colors.

This piece uses only two colors – a darker and lighter warm brown. 6-sided polygonal shapes with borders surround the image of what appears to be a lizard or alligator.