T'NALAK - The Spirit of Fu Dalu

Fides Enriquez

23 Jan 201913:59

Summary

TLDRThe Tabouli people have deep ancestral ties to the natural world, with their ancestors transforming into guardians of elements, plants, and animals. The last living ancestor, Fu Dalu, entered the trees to become the spirit of Tanakh, the sacred cloth. Traditionally woven by women, especially of royal blood, the intricate designs of Tanakh are passed down through generations. Men gather the raw fibers, and the fabric is dyed with natural pigments in a sacred process. Despite challenges and taboos, the Tabouli continue this ancient art, preserving their heritage one thread at a time.

Takeaways

🌱 The Tabouli's mythical ancestors were once farmers, weaving and working with nature, and transformed into elements of the natural world after their time ended.
👗 Food a Lu, the last living ancestor, became the spirit of the Tanakh and is recognized for her long white hair, inspiring weavers with intricate patterns.
👑 Tabouli women weave the traditional Tanakh cloth from abaca fibers, a craft reserved for women of royal blood, passed down through generations.
🔗 The weaving process starts with an offering to the guardian spirit, as men gather raw fibers from abaca trees, and women design and weave the cloth.
🌿 The raw fibers undergo several stages of preparation, including stripping, splitting, combing, and connecting into long threads for weaving.
🖤 The fibers are dyed using natural pigments, with the first dye being black from canola tree leaves, followed by red dye made from local roots.
🔧 The final weaving process uses a backstrap loom, and each piece takes over a month to complete, involving intricate work from the weavers.
🌍 Tanakh fabric is considered sacred, used in ceremonies, trade, and important life events such as marriage and funerals.
💔 There are taboos associated with weaving, such as prohibiting wives from sleeping with their husbands while working on certain patterns.
🏞️ The tradition faces challenges today due to land issues, and few people continue this ancient art, though the Tabouli hope to keep it alive.

Q & A

Who were the mythical ancestors of the Tabouli people and what did they do during their time on Earth?
-The mythical ancestors of the Tabouli people were farmers who planted, harvested, and wove cloth. As their time on Earth ended, each ancestor transformed into an element of the natural world, such as plants or creatures, to become Guardians for the Tabouli world.
Who was the last living ancestor of the Tabouli people, and what is her significance?
-The last living ancestor was Fooda Lu, the Weaver of cloth and maker of clothes. She entered the trees that provided the thread for her beautiful cloth and became the spirit of the Tanakh.
What is the significance of the cloth known as Tanakh, and who is allowed to weave it?
-Tanakh is a sacred cloth woven from abaca fibers. Traditionally, only women of royal blood are allowed to weave it. The knowledge and skill of weaving Tanakh are passed down from mother to daughter or aunt to niece.
What role do men play in the weaving process of Tanakh?
-Men gather the raw material for the cloth, specifically the strong and supple fibers from the abaca tree. They prepare the raw fibers by stripping them and processing them to make them ready for weaving.
What are some of the steps involved in the weaving process of Tanakh?
-The weaving process includes several steps: the fibers are stripped, split, combed, dyed, and finally woven on a backstrap loom. The process begins with a ritual offering before cutting the plant, and ends with the fabric being softened and finished.
What is the significance of Fooda Lu in the weaving tradition?
-Fooda Lu, the ancestral spirit of weaving, is believed to inspire intricate patterns or even admonish weavers for poor workmanship. She appears in dreams and is recognized by her long white tresses.
What natural dyes are used to color the Tanakh, and how are they applied?
-The fibers are dyed with natural pigments. Black dye is made from the leaves of the canola tree, while the red dye comes from local roots. The black dye process takes weeks, while the red dye process takes only a few days.
What taboos are associated with the weaving process in Tabouli culture?
-One taboo forbids a wife from sleeping with her husband while weaving a particular pattern. Some weavers believe they will fall ill if they refuse to weave a pattern given to them by Fooda Lu in a dream.
What is the modern significance of the Tanakh, and how has the tradition changed?
-Today, the Tanakh is more than just a textile. It has sacred significance and is used in ceremonies, as blankets, skirts, and pants. However, after World War II, Tabouli land was given to immigrants, and the tradition of weaving Tanakh is at risk of being lost as fewer people now produce it.
How do Tabouli women continue the sacred art of weaving Tanakh today?
-Despite the challenges, Tabouli mothers and daughters continue the sacred tradition of weaving Tanakh one thread at a time. They rely on income from weaving for subsistence, while hoping to preserve the art form.

Outlines

00:00

🌿 Ancestors of the Tabouli and the Sacred Weaver

This paragraph introduces the mythical ancestors of the Tabouli people, who transformed into elements of the natural world after their deaths, becoming guardians for the Tabouli. The last living ancestor, Fudalu, was a weaver who is believed to have become the spirit of the Tanakh trees, which provide fibers for weaving. The tradition of weaving, particularly by women, has deep roots in the Tabouli culture and is linked to their ancestors.

05:06

🧵 The Art and Tradition of Weaving the Tanakh

Weaving the Tanakh is a sacred tradition carried out by Tabouli women, who use fibers from the abaca plant. This skill is passed down from mother to daughter and requires memorizing complex patterns, with over a thousand designs existing. Before the fibers are harvested, a prayer is offered, and men contribute by gathering raw materials. The process of weaving, including preparing and dyeing the fibers, is highly intricate and spiritually significant, with weavers sometimes dreaming of Fudalu, the ancestral spirit, who inspires or guides their work.

10:07

🌳 Preparing the Fibers for Weaving

This paragraph describes the process of preparing the abaca fibers for weaving. Men strip the fibers from the plant, which are then processed to remove impurities. The fibers undergo a series of steps, including combing and splitting to create fine threads, before being dyed. The use of natural pigments and traditional techniques like tie-dyeing, known as ikat, are essential parts of the weaving process. The significance of the Tanakh fabric extends beyond its use as a textile, holding cultural and spiritual importance.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Tabouli

The Tabouli are an indigenous group from the Philippines, known for their deep connection with nature and traditional weaving practices. In the video, the Tabouli ancestors transformed into natural elements and continue to protect their world. This concept forms the spiritual and cultural backbone of the Tabouli people, which is reflected in their sacred weaving of cloth.

💡Fuda Lu

Fuda Lu is the last living ancestor in the Tabouli mythology, described as the 'Weaver of Cloth' who entered the trees that provided fibers for her beautiful cloth. Fuda Lu is revered as a guardian spirit, inspiring the intricate weaving designs of the Tabouli people. She plays a significant role in guiding and even correcting the work of Tabouli weavers in their dreams.

💡Tanakh

Tanakh refers to the sacred cloth woven by the Tabouli women using fibers from the abaca tree. The cloth holds cultural and spiritual significance, as it is traditionally woven by women of royal lineage and passed down through generations. The fabric patterns reflect myths, stories, and are used in significant cultural events like marriages and festivals.

💡Abaca

Abaca is a strong yet supple fiber derived from a type of banana plant native to the Philippines. The Tabouli use fibers from the abaca tree for weaving the Tanakh cloth. The process of extracting, preparing, and weaving these fibers involves numerous steps, all tied to traditional practices and taboos that have been preserved for generations.

💡Kamisama

Kamisama refers to the stage in the weaving process where the abaca fibers are worked by hand to split them into finer threads. This step is crucial for preparing the material to be woven, and it requires skill and patience. It illustrates the dedication and meticulous effort the Tabouli people invest in their craft.

💡Tambo knowledge

Tambo knowledge is the process of selecting and connecting the finest fibers end to end to create a single long thread. This step demonstrates the Tabouli's attention to quality and precision in their weaving process. It ensures that the cloth is not only strong but also smooth and consistent, highlighting the skill of the weavers.

💡Moy behd

Moy behd is the Tabouli term for knotting or tying the fibers in preparation for dyeing. This process is often the first step that young apprentices learn when they begin training to become weavers. Knotting the fibers is essential for creating patterns that will be dyed and later woven into the fabric, reflecting the interconnectedness of the craft.

💡Canola

Canola refers to both a tree and the black dye produced from its leaves. The Tabouli use the canola tree to dye their fabrics black, a process that involves boiling the fibers for weeks to achieve the desired color. The black dye is a fundamental element in creating the distinctive color scheme of the Tanakh cloth, symbolizing the depth and richness of their cultural heritage.

💡Backstrap loom

The backstrap loom, locally called 'Lu Gong Gong,' is a traditional weaving tool used by the Tabouli people. It allows the weaver to control the tension of the fabric by attaching one end of the loom to their body and the other to a fixed point. This method emphasizes the intimate connection between the weaver and the fabric, where the body plays an integral role in the creation process.

💡Folklore

Folklore plays a significant role in the Tabouli's weaving tradition. The myths and stories of their ancestors are not only preserved through oral history but also woven into the patterns of the Tanakh cloth. Each design reflects a unique aspect of their heritage, whether it is a representation of a myth or a variation of an established theme, ensuring that their cultural identity remains alive.

Highlights

Tabouli mythical ancestors transformed into natural elements to protect the Tabouli world.

Food a Lu, the last living ancestor, is the spirit of the Tanakh and a weaver of beautiful cloth.

Only women of royal blood can traditionally weave the Dena Lock cloth.

The patterns of Dena Lock cloth are memorized and passed down from mother to daughter.

Men play an important role in gathering the raw materials, like the abaca tree fibers.

Original Tabouli houses were built 15 feet above ground for protection, with workshops located below the house.

Accomplished weavers sometimes dream of Food a Lu who inspires intricate patterns or admonishes poor workmanship.

The fiber preparation process involves multiple steps like splitting, combing, and connecting fibers.

Natural pigments are used to dye fabrics in a process similar to tie-dyeing, also known as ECOT.

Fibers are tied and dyed in natural pigments, with specific processes for black and red dyes.

Taboos are associated with weaving, such as the prohibition of a wife sleeping with her husband while weaving certain patterns.

Weavers sometimes feel ill if they refuse to weave a pattern that was bestowed by Food a Lu in a dream.

The weaving process on a backstrap loom can take over a month to complete.

Abaca fabric was once widespread in the southern Philippines and even used as a tax.

The sacred art of weaving Dena Lock cloth continues through the efforts of mothers and daughters.