Arts and crafts of the Ilocos Region and the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR)

1. ARTSANDCRAFT
OFLUZON
(Highlands and Lowlands)

2. Arts and crafts are important means
of expression, which communicate
views, ideas, and feelings though the
use of skills and imagination. These are
important parts of our daily lives and
can be found everywhere.

3. The sculptures and architectures of Luzon
reveal many aspects of the people's culture,
traditions, and history. The elements and principles
of art of these fascinating arts and crafts will lead
you to understand the rich culture and tradition of the
Philippines that is handed down from generation to
generation.

4. LESSON 1:
ARTS AND CRAFTS OF THE ILOCOS
REGION AND THE CORDILLERA
ADMINISTRATIVE REGION (CAR)

5. ILOCOS REGION
Architecture
Vigan, considered
as the “Intramuros of the
North,” retains the
Spanish colonial
architecture along its
narrow and cobble-
stoned streets known as
Calle Crisologo.
https://www.tripadvisor.com.sg/LocationPhotoDirectLink-g424958-d1368410-i203249085-Calle_Crisologo-
Vigan_Ilocos_Sur_Province_Ilocos_Region_Luzon.html

6. Textile
Inabel is a hand weaving technique of the
Ilocanos that is produce using traditional
wooden looms. The different designs
represent different meanings: the dizzying
"binakol" weave represents the waves of the
sea. They believe that this design protects
them from bad spirits.

7. https://www.preview.ph/fashion/inabel
Inabel
Binakol weave
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Binakol,_Northern_
Luzon,_Abra,_Tinguian,_20th_century.JPG

8. Pottery
Burnay is an unglazed earthen jar
with small opening.
It is used for storage for water and
rice grains and as container for salt,
brown sugar, basi (local wine) and
bagoong (fermented fish)

9. http://lexicalcrown.blogspot.com/2014/11/pagburnayan-in-
vigan.html
http://xplorerboyz.blogspot.com/2012/05/weekend-getaway-our-encounter-
with.html#.W4Z58egzbIU

10. PANGASINAN
Weaving
The arts and crafts of Pangasinan include the
smoothly woven Bolinao mats made from buri or raffia
leaves, and the bamboo crafts (baskets, furnitures) of San
Carlos.

11. https://www.pressreader.com/philippines/manila-bulletin/20150214/281852937002212

12. KALINGA
Textile
The native of Kalinga are skilled weavers. One of their finest products is
their textile, which is characterized by red stripes and white, yellow, and black
geometrical patterns.
The southern Kalinga women wear the wrap-around skirt or tapis called
kain, which reaches below the knee. It is worn below the abdomen, and when
they walk, one of the thighs is exposed.
The northern Kalinga women wears saya, an ordinary woman’s skirt
covering the body from waist to feet.
The colors used in their textile have cultural meanings: red signifies
bravery; black is for the soil or land; white is for the flowers of the coffee
trees; yellow is for the sand; and green for the mountains.

13. http://gridcrosser.blogspot.com/2014/03/rhythm-from-roots.html
http://www.cmcrafts.org/likhang-kalinga

14. Basketry
The basketry of the Kalinga shows their
fine craftsmanship. The labba is a bowl-
shaped basket made from rattan, with sizes
that vary from 20 to 150 cm in diameter.
https://fayestribalart.com/products/vintage-philippine-tribal-kalinga-labba-
vegetable-burden-basket-12

15. Tattooing
Tattooing is another form of art of the
Kalinga. Because it usually covers the
chest and the arms, it may be considered
as clothing and decoration. It also signifies
a rite of passage from youth to adulthood, a
mark of heroism, and bravery and one's
status in the community. The design
consists of geometric patterns and lines.

16. https://windowseat.ph/whang-od-buscalan/

17. Apo Whang Od, the last traditional Kalinga tattooist
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYfH9uw1GQA

18. IFUGAO
Sculpture
The bul’ul is a wooden sculpture that represents the rice
granary spirits. It is used in rituals that are performed to call the
ancestors to protect their rice fields from pestilence and to ask
for an abundant harvest.
It is a carved wooden human figure with simplified forms.
These are dipped in the blood of pigs during a ritual called
tunod, which means “planting the seedlings in the soil.”
The bul’ul is usually made of narra, which signifies wealth,
happiness, and well-being to the Ifugao.

19. http://www.tribalartasia.com/Tribal%20Art%20Asia%20Ifugao%20Tribe/
APRIL2016/IFUGAO-PAIR-12.html
https://www.lakwatsero.com/destinations/travel-guide-batad/#sthash.DreFfjwS.dpbs

20. The amulets of the Ifugaos are called lingling-o or
dinumug. These are made from jade, gold, copper,
bronze, stone and other materials. These are fertility
symbols worn around the neck.

21. MOUNTAIN PROVINCE
Textile
Mountain Province is
know for their for their
burial cloth for the
kadangyan or rich people.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/ding-inkblots/475205455

22. Wanes – The men's traditional attire, the G-
string.
https://www.icbe.eu/cordillera-articles/675-loincloth-g-string-bahag

23. Lufid – a short and
narrow wrap around
skirt that the women of
mountain province wear.
http://gorgeousbrian.blogspot.com/2013/12/philnatmus.html
http://amerigorot.blogspot.com/2010/10/my-siwsiwan-fabric.html

24. The Bontocs create
their textile patterns
through the ikat-
weaving method. It is a
process of tying and
dyeing the threads to
prepare the patterns
before they are woven
into the textile.
https://www.pinterest.ph/pin/530228556100659351/?lp=true

25. ABR
A
The Tingguians weave
textiles for clothes and
blankets. They are noted
for their white textiles with
horizontal stripes found in
the edges (like those in the
bankudo or wrap-around
skirt) or vertical stripes in
the center (like those found
in the balwasi or female
blouse).
http://www.choosephilippines.com/do/history-and-culture/5399/5-reasons-to-choose-abra