Inabel Weaving of Ilocos

                   The Inabel is a form of weaving tradition native to the Cordilleran people of Northern Luzon in the Philippines. It is one of the many prides that the people in Ilocos region have. It is an Ilocano textile of plain or patterned woven cotton made in hardwood looms using techniques passed down through generations. 

                       Inabel fabric is made of cotton and may be plain or patterned. The abel cloth is well known and much loved for its softness, beautiful designs, and strength. 

                   Abel is Ilocano for “weave,” and inabel literally means “woven.” Ilocos weavers use hardwood pedal looms, employing different design techniques and patterns. One of those patterns that they have is the binakul pattern, a dizzying pattern, is meant to ward off and distract evil spirits, protecting the wearer. Other patterns include the multi-heddle design technique, the pinilian or brocade weave, the suk-suk or discontinuous supplementary weft technique, and the ikat tie-dye technique. Upon weaving, the weaver winds the spool yarn into the warping reel. The warp yarn is then wound into the warp beam rod. Next comes heddling, in which the warp yarn is inserted through the eye of the heddle using a weaving hook. After that, the weaver inserts the warp yarn through the spaces of the reed and “dresses” the loom by tying the heddles behind the beater. Only then can agabel, or weaving, commence.

                Each province has its own distinct design style. As with other forms of handweaving in the country, the process of creating inabel is intricate and labor-intensive. Popular patterns include cat's paws, fans, stars, and windows. Due to its wonderful fabric, weavers have initiated on making many kinds of clothing through inabel fabric. They made curtains, beddings, handkerchiefs, gowns, facemasks, tablemats , and many more products through inabel.

    

                     Inabel is not just a pride of Ilocos but of the Philippines as a whole. It has a great significance for us Filipinos for it symbolizes our culture and it reminds us of how creative and hardworking Filipinos really are. This I think, aside from the beauty of the fabric itself, will be reason why our local products such as this are worth wearing for. 

It's like we're wearing our pride for our country, which is the Philippines. If we get to love and support our local products, we may be able to help our weavers and our country's indigenous people. In this way, our country's economy will rise.

Credits to the rightful owner of the photos.

References:                         https://blauearth.com/2010/08/01/inabel-heart-and-soul-of-an-ilocana-weaver/amp/

              http://www.traveltrilogy.com/2014/02/traditional-ilocano-handicrafts-weaving-pottery.html