LOOM WEAVING EXPLODES AT MANKAYAN

-Kristi Anne Bolislis

Weaving is one of the traditional art industries practiced by many people not only in the Philippines but also in other countries like China and Japan. In Benguet, specifically at Sapid, Mankayan, loom weaving has now become the main business of the citizens specially the unemployed women to supplement their income.

Loom weaving is done by interlacing two or more sets of fibers of woof and warp on a loom .The loom consists of a framework for holding a set of yarns under tension in order for the weft yarn to be inserted when a heddle rod, rather than fingers, lifts the taut yarns. The interlacing process is weaving; the tension device is the loom.
Hand weaving, the queen of the handicraft and perhaps the oldest is most widespread in use, from the heaviest lancing to the finest fabrics.

In the Cordillera region, some people in Sapid, Mankayan, Benguet, use backstrap weaving. The entire process of weaving for daily use is a traditional and women use it as a ritual. The weavers can only weave the traditional cloth of the locality with the use of blackstrap loom. The woven cloth is used for bags, purse, clothing, decorations and others. Aside from their practical function, hand weaving textile is also associated with traditional religion ritual.

Weavers sold their woven cloth by wholesale to the community people in minimal and affordable price. Weaving  had became their source of income aside from mining.