T'nalak
T’nalak is a sacred cloth woven by the T'boli people in communities around Lake Sebu, Mindanao island. Traditionally made by women of royal blood, thousands of patterns that reference folklore and stories are known to the T’boli women by memory. Fu Dalu, a spiritual guardian, guides t’nalak weaving, a process that is enriched with taboo and ritual.
T’nalak has a distinctive tri-colour scheme: White for the pattern, red for relief elements and black (or deep brown) for the background. Fibres used in weaving are harvested from the abaca tree and prepared in a process known as kedungon.
Use
T'nalak is used for ritual purposes, as an offering to the spirits and during festival celebrations. It is also exchanged between families for food and supplies in the T'bolis' barter economy, which endures to this day. Many communities rely on the commercial sale of t'nalak to earn a living.
Design
The design of the cloth is unique and “dreamed up” by the person who creates it. That’s why the province is known as “The Land of the Dreamweavers.” The T’nalak fabric serves as the festival icon because it symbolizes the blending of the culture, strength, and unity of the various ethnic groups living in the province.
Festival
The T’nalak Festival also commemorates the works of Lang Dulay, a T’boli princess from Lake Sebu who was the best weaver of her time. She was awarded the “Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan” or the “National Living Treasure Award” in 1998.
