Keeping the Weaving Tradition in Maguindanao

The beautiful colors and the bright smiles of the women weavers greeted me when I first visited the Al-Jamelah Weaving Center in Tamontaka, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao on March 2011. 

The sound of wood banging against wood as the weavers work on the threads at their looms and the rainbow colors of the cloth were familiar to my senses as I stepped foot in it again today. 

With only four women weavers in sight, I couldn't imagine how they were able to complete 73 pieces of the woven cloth they called inaul which the Department of Trade and Industry in Manila ordered for days. They still have to deliver 27 more in 3 days. This only showed that business is indeed doing good and the future of the Maguindanao weaving tradition remains promising.

Miriam Sumlay, one of the weavers had been keeping the tradition for years and I still remembered her and her peers on my first visit. 

It was however, surprising to see an 18-year old woman weaving among them. Realyn learned the craft from her mother and had been weaving inaul since she was 13 years old. 

She had come a long way now as she expertly put the threads in place to create a beautiful piece of inaul which will soon be worn by Maguindanaons in cultural events such as weddings and other celebrations.



Al-Jamelah is Arabic for beautiful woman and indeed, those women whose hands continue the weaving tradition are beautiful beyond words and I hope that with younger women participating, the tradition will be sustained through the years. 

If you are planning to visit, please take note of its location:

From the Awang Airport, take the right turn to the street before the Tamontaka Bridge. It is the first bridge from the airport so it is very easy to locate.

If you are commuting from the airport, just tell the jeepney driver to drop you off before Tamontaka Bridge.

Happy hunting! :)