Meet the Dream Weavers: T'boli Women of Lake Sebu, South Cotabato, Philippines

Meet the Dream Weavers: The T'boli Women of Lake Sebu, South Cotabato, Philippines

May 26, 2022, Thursday (USA) 9 PM EDT | 8 PM CDT | 7 PM MDT | 6 PM PDT | 5 PM AKDT | 3 PM HST May 27, 2022, Friday (PHILIPPINES) 9 AM PST

Watch the video teaser for the event here.

The women of the Betek Ifuy weavers of Lamdalag, Lake Sebu, South Cotabato are trained by the late Lang Dulay, recipient of the Philippine National Living Treasures Award. This is a rare recognition of artists who achieve excellence in traditional art form. There are currently 16 awardees since 1993. Lang Dulay is most famous for t'nalak weaving, a centuries-old tradition of tie-dye weaving by the T'boli indigenous people of the country.

The T'boli of the South Cotabato highlands in Mindanao are also known as the “Dream Weavers.” They weave the t'nalak, which is an abaca textile featuring dyed imagery patterned after their dreams.

In this webinar, representatives from the Betek Ifuy weavers will talk about their culture, the processes involved in t'nalak weaving, and how nature plays a role in the survival of their culture, tradition, and livelihoods.

The speakers will include: Cristelyn Olivas, Josephine Balicucos, Irene Flido, Marilyn Dulay, Haide Forod,Jenita Endel, Melinda Gayan, and Josephine Manalao.