Inabol: Weaving the threads of cultural identity
Growing up in the small and humble town of Lagawe, Ifugao meant watching all sorts of annual fiestas like Gotad and Kulpi. Women, men and children in full, bright native regalia would march around the streets while playing the dinuyya beat with their gongs and with their wooden percussion instruments. This pandemic took all of those highly anticipated occasions away.
Of course, it felt strange to see the empty streets of Lagawe last April and June. Suddenly, I thought about the people. I wondered about the food cart vendors to the native attire and souvenir sellers.
Then, a noble idea of featuring our local fabric called “inabol” sprung. If YouTube vlogger Erwan Heussaff was able to feature Hungduan’s Punnuk Festival two years ago, I see no reason not to continue my plan.
Dugninon’s Enterprise
Mrs. Naty Dugninon immediately crossed my mind. I knew beforehand that she owns the go-to shop of locals who need all sorts of native attires and accessories for hudhud (Ifugao group chants) presentations and even street dancing stints in the municipality.
She had just arrived a few hours ago from her house in the nearby town of Hingyon. After cleaning all of her dried coffee beans in a sack, she started weaving.
Responding to the new now
As she mentioned, all of the peak seasons for inabol — the annual fiestas — have been cancelled. Travel bans are another story.
“A few months ago, I cannot get my thread supplies from Manila. So, I relied on the old stocks and remaining threads.”
This means that Mrs. Dugninon’s products remained on the shelves for a long while. More so, the weaving process is physically demanding. But that did not stop her to still innovate ways to keep her business afloat.
I was busy scanning all of the bags and pouches when I saw the “inabol” face masks. Without hesitation, I bought one for my own. She looked at me and said:
“Since there was a high demand for face masks, I began sewing the excess inabol fabric in my store. After that, I started selling them to retail stores and stalls.”
Apart from selling face masks, Mrs. Dugninon also plans to coordinate with Department of Trade and Industry to push through a vision of her very own ground coffee products.
Hopes and uncertainties
Looking at a distance, she told me her biggest wish regarding her livelihood and skill:
“All I want is to preserve this practice because it is part of my life and the lives of Ifugaos. I hope that there’s someone in my family [my children] who decides to continue this legacy.”
Like Mrs. Dugninon, I am more than hopeful that this heirloom practice continues. Inabol is Ifugao’s fabric and its cultural insignia. Behind the striking colors is a rich history. Behind the intricate patterns is a product of sheer dedication and hard work.
This is Inabol.
