For those who were fortunate enough to view the collections of Rene Salud and Dabawenyo designers at the Miss Universe Mindanao Tapestry fashion show, I am sure many of you were dazzled by the vibrant fabrics used to create the couture pieces on the runway. One fabric that stood out with its kaleidoscope of colors and patters was the Maguindanao, inaul.
Inaul, a Maguindanaon word that literally means “weaved”, is a unique fabric manually and meticulously woven mostly by Maguindanaon women weavers in Mindanao.
More than just a piece of textile used traditionally as a “malong”, it is considered as “Bara-Bangsa”, a term tantamount to something with royalty, dignity and nobility. In the past, the use of inaul in Muslim Mindanao was a status symbol and worn always with pride and respect.
Inaul weaving is said to have more than twenty recognised designs and patterns which take their inspiration from patterns in nature as well as geometry. These patterns include “umpak”, “binaludto”, “panigabi” or “taro” and “binadulan”, which is also called “ikat” by the T’boli and the tribes of Cordillera.
One of the most colorful traditional woven textiles in the Philippines, inaul fabrics reflect the vibrant culture of Maguindano with each color used corresponding to a specific meaning. Yellow and orange is for royalty while red represents bravery. White is the color of purity that speaks of grief and mourning, whereas, green indicated peace and harmony. Black denotes nobility and dignity.
With the inaul in the spotlight and on the world stage, the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao gives honor to this regal fabric with the creation of the first Inaul Festival sa Maguindanao.
“The festival aims to showcase the inaul as a cultural fabric of the province,” said ARMM Tourism Secretary Ayesha Vanessa Hajar M. Dilangalen. “Aside from festivities such as a regata, and musical and dance competitions, the festival shall also have an inaul exposition, an inaul exhibit, as well as workshops and talks about the inaul.”
“The Department of Tourism-ARMM supports this endeavor and commits to align its tourism program in helping preserve, protect, promote and develop this intangible cultural heritage of Maguindanao.” she added.
The Inaul Festival sa Maguindanao this year will be from February 9 to 14.
