THE LIVING THREAD

source: https://www.deviantart.com/melondramatics/ art/APHOC-Timeline-of-the-Philippines-584455784

Graziel Mae G. Ramat

Click-clock. Click-clock. Get the cotton and soak it in sagut sap! Click-clock. Click-clock. Spool ‘em, warp, then heddle up! Click-clock. Click-clock. Let the hands and feet weave non-stop… Click-clock. Click-clock. …And the sound of the handlooms thread the present and the past!

Animal prints. Floral designs. Lewd photos. Movie lines. These are just some of the trending cloth designs the world, ever since it changed its phase, could offer. These styles are the visible evidence of our present world –how both the wide range of art and the taste of the latest generation collided to produce such both exotic and minimalist designs.

Since art is art, it doesn’t really matter whether it’s from the present or the past –and surely we can say that the old folks of our province chose to live with in the past, still out there threading and weaving the cultures of our ancestors with the present generation.

Inabel, is an Iloco word which simply means “woven”, and is also a textile product out of cotton made in hardwood handloom using manual techniques practiced in the pre-colonial era that were passed down from generations to generations up until today. It’s a laborious process in the making, not just the weaving part, but also in the preparation of the cotton threads.

Although it’s energy and time consuming, it is true what they say that efforts won’t fail you. With hard work and perseverance –a common trait which an Ilocano has –will truly lead you to the best outcomes you’ve been expecting. Inabel cloth is outstandingly depicted by intricate designs of stripes and geometric patterns intermingling to create an impression of flow and movement –whirlwind, whirlpools, oceans waves, and current of rivers, and anything that can be observed in the weaver’s surroundings.

What makes these efforts very worth it aside from the fact that tourists buy them when visiting our place? The younger generation is also fond of these precious inabel products even though others may say it’s already out of our time. Many trendsetters are actually showcasing inabel products in the fashion industry and also includes it in their #OOTD –be it their top, scarf, or wallet with intricate inabel designs. No oldies are old enough when paired with the young ones.

So yeah –time is flying fast. Things are changing in such a phase that some people could barely catch up. Let us all remember, the things in the past are part of our history which reflects us –our traditions and culture. It is just then a must that we value them the way we value our expensive collections of watches… Let us value inabel… consider its threads as are our lifelines anchoring us to the rich culture of our ancestors.

Click-clock. Click-clock. Let the hands and feet weave non-stop… Click-clock. Click-clock. …And the sound of the handlooms thread the present and the past!