T'NALAK WOVEN PANEL. ABACA.
Philppines; Mindanao; South Cotabato; T'boli. 20th c.

Abaca (Musa textilis) fibre fabric with warp ikat in natural white and red on a dark brown fond. Polished. The women of the T'boli produce the threads; bind and dye them black or dark brown with the leafes of the K'nalum tree (a type of ebony). The red parts are dyed with loko roots. The white natural color of the threads is enhanced by bleaching with sun light. The patterns are said not to be handed down but are dreamed or send by the gold Fu Dalu from the abaca-plant. Woven width 70cm; length 690cm. Condition A.Art trade; Van Ham.