iNauL tHe pRiDe oF cOtAbAtO

 Inaul...the art of weaving

 
Inaul... is the famous Maguindanao handwoven fabric. It is used by the Maguinadanaons as a "malong", a tubular skirt or "sarong" that wraps around the lower part of the body and worn as traditional dress by both men and women.

Inaul, is a treasured cultural tradition as it captures the Maguindanao symbol as distinction and royalty.

A source of pride and a testament to the rich cultural heritage of the people of Cotabato City.

Color Symbolism

Colors of yellow and orange represent royalty while red means bravery. Green signified peace and tranquility. White, the color of purity spoke of sadness and mourning. Black means dignity. At present, the colors and lines are matter of choice. New designs incorporate pastel to dark shades are very commonly used.

Weaving Design

The intricate art of weaving introduced various designs. The most popular is the plain weave such as binaludto (rainbow), makabimban (stripes), or panigabi (taro).A weft weave includes sinodengan, matampuhay-seko, kawang and sinupikan designs. The practice of tie-dying is another rare method locally called binaludan (ikat).

Uses

Inaul is one of the most versatile handwoven textile ever conceived. Women wear it as a malong skirt and as garments for formal or royal events suchs as weddings. Men can wear it as a trouser for formal wear. Wound around man's head it becomes a turban. Folded malongs can be use as a basket, baby cradle or bag. Others use it as blanket, mat, curtain or pillow cases. Nowadays its uses includes gowns and dresses for women and tuxedos or polo barongs for men.

Source: Cotabato City Tourism Council and Inaul Foundation, Inc.