T'NALAK - The Spirit of Fu Dalu

Summary

The 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.