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Natural Dye
Technology Seminar-Workshop
NEWS ARTICLE,
March 15, 2006
Armed with a technology, a
team of specialists from the Philippine Textile Research
Institute (PTRI)
trekked to the mountains of Bukidnon last February 15. Their
mission was to teach the Higaonons (an indigenous tribe
found in the highlands of Bukidnon) the scientific process
of natural dyeing. The objective is to enable their women
produce an all-natural hinabol.
Hinabol is the Binukid term for woven fabric. Higaonon
females using abaca fibers, weave these on their modified
back strap looms. A
by-product of the hinabol is the kamuyot,
their traditional carryall bag for things needed in doing
their daily activities.
The fabric is slowly becoming a commodity sought for its
cultural and social significance. When commercialized it
could become a source of income for the tribal community.
However, they need an edge over all the other abaca woven
fabrics made by other indigenous peoples of Mindanao. Hence,
the seminar-workshop on natural dyeing technology was
conducted. Sponsored by the Non-Timber Forest Products-Task
Force (NTFP-TF) a PTRI team was fielded out to Mintapod,
Impasug-ong, Bukidnon.
Since these women knew how to prepare the dye sources, the
training was more of upgrading their age-old natural dyeing
technique. Emphasis was made on the necessity of scouring
and bleaching of the abaca fiber before the dyeing process. Mordants were introduced as well for better dye absorption, improved colorfastness and enhanced color shades. They were
taught other steps to make, like filtration of dye
substance, weighing of fibers and computing the dye liquor
ratio in proportion to the fibers to be dyed. These steps
make for better dye penetration as well as getting several
shades from one dye source alone.
The improvement of the hinabol with the use of an expanded
range of colors and infusion of other creative designs would
add value to the crafts of the Higaonons. With the adoption
of the upgraded natural dye technology, PTRI certainly made
a connection. (PTRI S&T Media Service) |
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Higaonon women weavers,
participants in the PTRI Natural Dyeing
seminar-workshop
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The hinabol of
Mintapod, Bukidnon
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Naturally dyed
knotted abaca fibers
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