The indigenous people of Basilan, the Yakan have developed a particular sense of personal adornment at which they excel in the most unique way. Their elaborate and colorful costumes are astonishing for a people in an agriculrural and coastal setting. The Yakan art of weaving and costuming is extremely intricate. It is as though ‘fear of empty space’ compels them to fill all areas on the warp with full geometric and designs taken from the natural environment & everyday life. I observed this display at Mayor Sitti Djalia's inauguration. (mayor@isabelacity.gov.ph)
I learned from Yhang Macusang, Executive Assistant for Indigenous Peoples Affairs Focal Point at the Office of City Government of Isabela de Basilan that “Yakan women are believed to produce the finest woven cloth in the entire country and probably in the whole of Southeast Asia. The fabrics are turned into tight-fitting costumes worn by both Yakan men and women, complemented by natural developed mode of traditional make-up. This process turned into a blend work of art and beauty, where patterns & textile combines.”
Yhang revealed, “Faced with modern development, traditional Yakan culture - its arts and clothing - is inevitably pressured to evolve and adapt. The traditional skills and knowledge for making Yakan costumes, for instance, are now being replaced with modern textile adaptations but still retaining typical designs and techniques, which continue to be culturally accepted and followed by young people.” (norhaiya macusang>ayah912th@gmail.com)
I noticed the Yakan are known to be among the finest weavers in Southern Philippines. They produce eye-catching & colourful textiles with tiny motifs, employing weaving techniques called suwah bekkat (cross-stich-like embellishment) & suwah pendan (embroidery-like embellishment). Weaving is the original handicraft in the Yakan community. In the past, all women were well trained in weaving.
As much as a people's culture is evident in their dress, the Yakan's top skills in producing such distinctive costumes have gained them recognition as an indigenous tribe with exceptional artistry. The culture and artistic skills are not lost among the younger generations.
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