BALAY NI ATONG
is the precise term for cloth produced on the Ilocano loom. It embodies the characteristic attributes of Ilocano abel: it is made of cotton, well-woven, and features straight, neat edges. Inabel is distinguished from other Philippine and Asian textiles by its sturdy construction, the stark simplicity of its design, and its practical function.
Remarkable for their rich colors and bold designs, hand-woven textiles are a vital part of the varied cultural heritage of the Ilocos region. History records that inabel traditions were firmly rooted by the time the Spanish colonized the region in the 1500s. Neighboring Asian countries traded gold, ceramics, iron, and beads for inabel at the natural harbors along the coast. For centuries, inabel has been used for clothing, blankets, and even sails for galleons.
Today, the number of weavers willing to continue the tradition has been dramatically reduced due to the local market being flooded with factory-processed, imported textiles—not to mention the allure of higher-income jobs abroad. There are currently fewer than 300 active weavers in the region; some weaving traditions have passed away with the master weavers, and some weaving communities have vanished.
Balay ni Atong currently houses the Study Center for Traditional Hand-Woven Textiles of the Ilocos Region. The center hopes to achieve sustainability for both scholars and weavers by reintroducing quality inabel not merely as ordinary textiles, but as artworks produced by artisans.
Balay ni Atong showcases hand-woven textiles created on traditional wooden looms by Ilocano artisans using techniques passed down through generations. The woven patterns are based on designs from antique blankets and clothing dating from the 1800s to the mid-1900s. Although these contemporary reproductions carry traditional designs, they are updated using modern colors, scales, and technology.
Balay ni Atong has devoted its efforts to the revival of inabel, the traditional textiles of Ilocos. We work closely with weaving communities in the region to sustain the weaving tradition, empower weavers and their families, and educate the younger generation about the significance of inabel.
Together with our growing community of Ilocano weavers, Balay ni Atong invites you to join us in exploring the amazing journey of the Ilocano weaving tradition. The spirit of abel lives on! Through your patronage, you are helping to keep the inabel tradition alive.
