Publisher’s Note
Reviving a lost craft can also mean livelihood
M
indanao abounds in rich cultural legacies that best
epitomize the artistry of its people.
Yet how these legacies will survive the changing
socio-economic shifts in these fast-paced times may
seem to be difficult for some. But tfor the T’boli people
of Lake Sebu, they see these shifts not as an obstacle,
but as a challenge to keep their culture alive—most
notably the intricate, handwoven t’nalak fabrics.
The t’nalak’s red, black and white fabric has become synonymous with
the Tboli and is regarded as a symbol of their cultural heritage. But
t’nalak is more than a pattern, it is a manifestation of the tribe’s collective
subconscious, because the designs come to the weavers in their dreams.
And amidst uncertainties of whether the new generation can keep this
tradition alive, the good news is, some members of the elder generations
still have not lost their fervor in instilling among their next of kin on how
these can be craftily done—and marketed to an increasing number of
discerning buyers who are after genuine, handcrafted items made by
these ethnic groups!
Call it also a sense of enhancing the OTOP (One Town One Product)
concept, which is very true but it also has its way of promoting the
diverseness of Mindanao in via cultural tourism.
Aside from helping revive the lost craft back to its old glory and sheen,
this also translates to livelihood for the T’boli tribes at it instills a strong
sense of entrepreneurial mettle with a legacy that they can still be
proud of for generations to come.
PHILIP O. ORTALEZA
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