|
 People's Recovery, Empowerment and Development Assistance Foundation, Inc.
PREDA Fair Trade Assisted Project The weaving of rattan baskets and trays is a common skill among the indigenous Kalinga in the remote mountains of the Central Cordillera. Since the closure of the Batong Buhay gold mine in Uma, local villagers who were once employed at the mine are now returning to weaving as a way to supplement their meager farmering income. As rattan has become scarcer, native weavers have turned their skills toward the production of tiger grass brooms. Introduced in the mid 90’s, tiger grass grows well in this cooler upland climate and it is now commonly seen growing at the edges of the small terraced rice fields. Harvested in late January and February, the tiger grass, if dried correctly, can be stored for up to a year. The upper portion of the tiger grass flower, the large and drooping panicle, is used for broom making.
A
group of twelve farmers/weavers in Latawan are making a quality broom with
woven rattan handle. All
materials are either found or purchased locally except for a special black
nita, which is used as an accent in the design. This is purchased from the
indigenous Aeta in Bataan area. Presently, lowland agents come through the villages buying brooms at a relatively low price. Since all materials are available locally, each weaver is growing, gathering, and weaving independently and there is only a loose organization through family ties. An effort has been made the Bete Assugay family to collect the brooms from their relatives and take them to Cagayan for sale. In this way they are able to get a slightly better price. A marketing effort by PREDA Fair Trade could help stabilize the craft as an immediate incoming generating activity during the rainy season for families in this very isolated area.
Please
e-mail your feedback and queries |
