Why Aklan’s piña weaving is a UNESCO intangible cultural heritage?

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor and Mariela Angella Oladive

Aklan’s piña handloom weaving (hab-eon piña) has recently earned a place on the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO) Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list.

The province’s weaving craft secured its spot during the 18th session of UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage at the Cresta Mowana Resort in Kasane, Republic of Botswana, from December 4 to 9, 2023.

But how and why is it crucial for the Aklanon people to attain a UNESCO heritage tag for the “queen of Philippines handwoven textiles”?

In the summary inventory form submitted to UNESCO, the major proponents for the recognition’s nomination cited economic, tourism, and community cohesiveness as “pressures and constraints” to the handloom weaving practice.

The proponents are the Aklan Piña & Indigenous Fibers Manufacturers & Traders (Aklan Piña Mantra) Association, Inc. and some master weavers and weaving communities of the province.

“[There is] a lack of interest among community practitioners and bearers to engage as stakeholders of the element, due to other favorable livelihood options,” said the proponents regarding the economic sustainability issue.

In the tourism aspect, they noted “commodification” in the creative outputs rather than the appreciation of the entire element, including the due recognition of fiber processors.

They also stressed uncoordinated support programs and activities for piña loom weaving, resulting in the division of groups, unhealthy competition, and a downtrend in social cohesion.

In justifying why the weaving practice should be included in the inventory of cultural heritage, the proponents raised two points: piña loom weaving as a specific and unique practice in Aklan, and its uniqueness grounded in the ingenuity and dedication in the processing of piña fiber.

The proponents also noted several safeguarding measures on the management, documentation, and promotion of the practice.

Some highlighted measures include the integration of piña handloom weaving into preschool and basic education curricula, from Kindergarten to 12th Grade; the creation of the Aklan Quality Seal and registration to the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines; and the formulation of standards for piña textile.

CULTURAL SYMBOL

Weavers use piña fiber as raw materials, and the woven textile is commonly used for traditional Philippine attires, shawls, handkerchiefs, cushion covers, clutch bags, and purses.

Before weaving, piña fibers are extracted from matured (18-24 months) leaves of pineapple or the pinya Bisaya, also known as Ananas comosus.

The weaving process includes scraping, hand-knotting, bobbinning, warping, weaving, and weighing.

Of the 17 municipalities in Aklan, 15 are involved in the farming of the pinya Bisaya. At present, the municipality of Banga is the most well-known marketplace for the procurement of piña fibers.

Ambassador Junever Mahilum-West, the permanent delegate of the country to UNESCO, said the recognition highlighted the cultural functions of piña handloom weaving to the Aklanon people.

“This acknowledgment embraces the unique cultural identity of the Aklanon people and promotes inclusivity across the Philippines. We share this cherished tradition with the whole world,” she said.

Victorino Mapa Manalo, NCCA chairman, said the recognition distinguishes itself as a national cultural symbol of ingenuity, craftsmanship, social cohesiveness, and the common values held by Filipino communities.

“The Philippines is the only country that extensively produces piña cloth in the whole world. The pineapple textiles or piña are part of the diverse traditional weaving practices of the Philippines,” he added.

Manalo emphasized that the recognition has affirmed the importance of Aklan’s piña handloom weaving contribution to the richness of human creativity, thus the need to safeguard their heritage.

Governor Florencio “Joeben” T. Miraflores emphasized the significance of piña weaving and the production of piña-based items, highlighting their role in fostering unity among families, communities, and the entire nation.

“The weaving of piña and the creation of piña products are important to us because they bring us together as families, communities, and as a nation,” he said.

Piña, a delicate textile crafted from the fibers of the pinya Bisaya, a specific pineapple species, is treasured for its laborious process. Local farmers skillfully harvest pineapple leaves, extracting fibers by hand. The weighing process involves a unique local method of measurement using old coins of various denominations.

Beyond its artistic value, it also serves as a source of livelihood that contributes to sustainable development and to the social and economic empowerment of families and local communities.

As this age-old craft gains international recognition, the UNESCO acknowledgment not only preserves the unique cultural identity of the Aklanon community but also serves as an inspiration for every region in the county, highlighting the significance of local heritage and craftsmanship in the global arena.

The UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list serves as a protective measure for crucial aspects of global heritage, encompassing oral traditions, performing arts, social practices, rituals, festive events, and the knowledge and skills related to traditional crafts

Aklan’s piña handloom weaving makes it the first intangible cultural heritage from the Visayas region to be inscribed on UNESCO’s intangible heritage list.

The country now boasts a total of four representative lists in UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, which includes the tugging rituals and games of communities in Ifugao added in 2015, as well as the Hudhud chants of the Ifugao and the Darangen epic of the Maranao people of Lake Lanao included in 2008.