Threads of Culture: Hard Fibers as Material Heritage in the Philippines

The Aklan piña handloom weaving was inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2023. Serving as a symbol of national identity and recognition, piña is among the most esteemed traditional textiles in the Philippines. However, as a multi-ethnic nation, the Philippines encompasses diverse weaving traditions utilizing various hard fibers. Alongside piña, communities across the islands employ banana, abaca, and palm leaves as raw materials for textile production. Similar to piña, these hard fibers undergo labor-intensive extraction processes, during which artisans skillfully peel and scrape leaves to obtain delicate filaments. The finest fibers are spun into yarn for handloom weaving, while coarser ones are crafted into non-wearable products such as hats, tapestries, and baskets. Over centuries, these ethnic textiles have become valuable commodities traded globally through the Maritime Silk Road. This study introduces the characteristics and historical development of Musa (banana) and piña fibers, exploring how these materials intertwine with both indigenous and foreign influences within the Philippine context. Through their adaptation, transformation, and continued use, these fibers have come to embody broader narratives of cultural exchange and identity formation, serving as tangible reflections of the Philippines’ evolving national culture.