Kankana-ey

ORIGIN: the Northern Kankana-ey inhabit the southwestern part of Mountain Province and the Southern Kankana-ey inhabit the northern part of Benguet

Seen below are the basic common designs of the Kankana-ey Weaves.

Common designs representations according to Baylas et al (2012):

a) Tiktiko

Zigzags represent mountains and valleys, whereas, X's represent rice mortars. According to them, they admire rice like a god due to its ability to give nourishment.

b) Matmata

Matmata represents rice grains (double-lined matmata) and eyes.

c) Sopo

Sopo symbolizes fertility, wealth and abundance of flowers.

d) Kinulibangbang

Kinulibangbang represents fertility, wealth and abundance of butterflies.

Weaves

The weaving technique used by the Kankana-ey tribe is called Impaod/Impagod/Pinnagod, a body-tension back strap weaving, which means “strapped”. The woven craft of Kankana-ey include: decorative blankets known as Galey (now Ules), skirts known as Getap (now Tapis), Wakes or Bakget which are waistbands, g-string worn by men to cover their private areas known as Wanes, and woven headcloth called Bedbed.

1. Ules & Tapis

Ules and Tapis are used to cover the upper bodies of the people of Kankana-ey to protect them from the cold temperature. The designs present in the Ules & Tapis of Kankana-ey include X and upside down V Tiktiko and Diamond Matmata (as seen in the photo below).

Seen in the left and right panels are vertical strips which contains X and V Tiktiko and Diamond Matmata. Symmetries present in this are translation and reflection.

2. Wakes & Bakget

Wakes, similar to Wakhes of Bontoc, is a waistband worn by women after giving birth. These are also used in feasts and rituals.

Wakes & Bakget usually consist of the designs Tiktiko and Sopo.

3. Wanes

Wanes are traditional g-string worn by men of Kankana-ey. These are worn during ceremonies and special gatherings.

Common designs present in this example below is Matmata and Tiktiko.

4. Bedbed

Bedbed is used as a headcloth to cover short hair. These are sometimes enhanced with leaves, feathers, and carabao horns.

The common designs seen in the strips of Bedbed are sopo and tiktiko. Below is an example of bedbed with pmm2 symmetry group.

References:

1. Baylas IV, et al, (2012). Weaving Symmetry of the Philippine Northern Kankana-ey. Retrieved from http://archive.bridgesmathart.org/2012/bridges2012-267.html