Vibrant inaul as a national fabric?

The Bangsamoro people takes pride in the time-honored weaving tradition of Moro weavers who produce the hand-made and vibrantly colored "inaul" fabric.

Inaul is commonly used to make malong, a tubular skirt that is usually worn by both women and men. The word inaul means "women" among Maguindanaoans, one of 13 Muslim tribes in the mainland of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

The cloth design tries to capture the Maguindanaons' distinction, royalty and bravery. Weavers use various designs to showcase the Maguindanao heritage patterned after the promotion of peace and prosperity, not only in BARMM but also in the entire Mindanao.

Cotabato City Tourism Council chairperson Bai Sandra Sema is pushing for the Maguindanaons' inaul to be included among the country's national fabrics.

She said the fabric can be used to celebrate the culture of unity and solidarity among Moros, Christians and lumads (indigenous peoples) in the Bangsamoro region.

Sema also wants national recognition of the authentic fabrics from the Bangsamoro region, which are traditionally weaved by the Sulu province's Yakan and Sama tribes, as well as the Maranao tribe in the Lanao areas.

"If we are to talk about unity, if we are to talk about solidarity, the Philippines must recognize inaul as the national fabric," she said.

Deep research

In an exclusive interview, Sema said her team is now in the process of deep research to supplement its goal and promotion of inaul as a national fabric.

"The important is, the idea has already arrived. We are pushing a national fabric to be originated in Maguindanao to also strengthen our tourism here," she added.

Sema is delighted that the inaul fabric has been used by various government officials and cabinet secretaries as part of their national dress during the previous President's State of the Nation Address
"We are very proud of it. We want more officials of the government to use this fabric and see the beauty of the inaul. This will serve as our support to local weavers here in Maguindanao," she added.

The most popular designs for the inaul are the binaludto (rainbow), makabimban (stripes) and panigabi (taro). While the weft weave includes the sinindengan, matampuhay-seko, seko-kawang and sinupikan designs.

Other weaving styles are the binaludan (ikat) — a rare tie-dye fabric with waving patterns, and the karanda.