Philippine E-Journals

Communicating gender responsiveness through the mainstreaming of indigenous textile T’nalak of T’boli weavers of Lake Sebu, South Cotabato

Robbie Jan Vincent T. Buelo | Edna T. Bernabe

 

Abstract:

This study explores the cultural backgrounds of T’boli weavers in weaving indigenous textile t’nalak were explored and gender responsiveness brought by these cultural backgrounds and the presence of the textile in mainstream media were substantiated. This was conducted through the analysis and understanding of the cases of the T’boli weavers and with the analysis of their reception brought by selected media texts. These weavers were inculcated with such cultural backgrounds and are still being valued and practiced in weaving the indigenous textiles. The findings exposed that, despite being open to such modernization, they are still preserving their culture within their community. T’nalak bridges the gap between gender since T’boli people are open in the utilization of the textile across different genders which is the very point of gender responsiveness.