Ga'dang
- Reniel Ilagan
- Aug 16, 2021
- 3 min read
Updated: Aug 19, 2021
The Ga’dang, Gaddang, Gadam, Gaddanes or Iraya are a tribal group from Cagayan Valley in the Cordilleras of North Luzon.
“Nu ibbafaw ay sinalacassag; nu arrollam ay malilimac.”
This quote is an example of a "lallagunut", which is a riddle or in Filipino, a "bugtong". This riddle translates as "It is noisy when shallow, and silent when deep.", the answer to this riddle is "mahat" or river.
Weaving
The Ga'dang people, like many indigenous groups of North Luzon, they traditionally weave textiles.
Weaving Technique
Ikat or Ikkat
This is a resist-dye procedure where parts of the warp threads are tied together before dyeing. The parts that were bound together do not absorb the dye while the rest of the thread absorbs the new color. This process of resist-dyeing can be applied to the thread before weaving.
White Beads
Gaddang textiles are also weaved with small white beads embroidered into them. The beading process is the final touch in making the garments of Ga’dang.
Designs
Gaddang believe that the colors they use symbolize happiness. The color that represent this is red which is the majority color of their weaves. They also use yellow, white and black; sometimes they put in the brown color which differentiates their weaves with the other tribes. (Garra, 2016)
Basic Dessigns of Ga'dang tribe:
Nammata
Anniyong
Sabong
Bullon
Ansing
Ampigo
Ikekul
Ampalakakku
Weaves
Lan-ma
This is an upper-body jacket or a blouse that is edged with white beads and has beaded tassels. These beaded designs which are prevalent on the edges of the lan-ma are an example of a frieze pattern.
The triangle shape beaded edge pattern have a linear translation and a horizontal reflection symmetry. The symmetry group of this pattern is m1.
Another design element that has a frieze pattern is the beaded design at the bottom part of the lan-ma. This pattern also has a linear translation and both horizontal and vertical reflection symmetry, which is why this pattern also belongs to the mm symmetry group.
Tapet
This is a cape that is edged with small pom-pom and white beads. This also has a necktie with beaded tassels. This piece of clothing also has design elements that are rich with frieze patterns and geometrical significance.
The red and yellow diamond pattern is a design element that has a linear translation and has both vertical and horizontal reflection symmetry. The symmetry group of this design is mm.
Another design element that has a frieze pattern is the golden ring pattern. This pattern also has a linear translation and has both vertical and horizontal reflection symmetry which is why this belongs to the mm symmetry group.
Abag
This is a G-string or a loincloth that has ends that are heavy with beading.
The zigzag grey-colored pattern has a linear translation and a horizontal reflection symmetry. The symmetry group of this design is m1.
Ga'dang Necktie
This necktie has beaded fringes and chased brass weights. The design of this necktie also incorporates wallpaper patterns and frieze patterns.
The diamond pattern with a white outline is an example of a wallpaper pattern. This design has both vertical and horizontal reflection symmetry and a linear translation which is why this design belongs to the mm symmetry group.
Aken
“Aken” means Skirt in the Gaddang dialect. This is a skirt with beaded edges and fridges.
The black diamond pattern with a circle shape in the middle is a design element that has a linear translation and has both vertical and horizontal reflection symmetry. The symmetry group of this design is mm.
References
Garra, A.C. (2016). INDIGENOUS GARMENTS AND ACCESSORIES OF THE G’ADDANG IN BARANGAY NGILEB: DOCUMENTATION ON PRODUCTION. Sampurasun e-Journal. 2(1), 63-71. https://journal.unpas.ac.id/index.php/sampurasun/article/download/125/53/
Ayala Museum. (n.d.). THREADS OF TRADITION: THE MERCEDES ZOBEL COLLECTION OF INDIGENOUS PHILIPPINE TEXTILES. Retrieved August 5, 2021, from https://www.ayalamuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Ayala-Museum-Threads-of-Tradition.pdf
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