Inaul: Weaving Peaceful Stories in Maguindanao

Coming from Maguindanao, I always have to explain to my friends that Maguindanao is peaceful. I would always tell other people that Maguindanao is more than headlines about negative news we see on TV or on the internet. It is rare to hear good stories and narratives about the province so I had to be an unofficial ambassador with my key message: 

"For the most part of Maguindanao, it is peaceful and the people have creative skills and talents that need to be shared."

Echoing my personal message, the recent celebration of the 3rd Inaul Festival is proof how big the potential of the locals are. The festival showcased to the nation what Maguindanao can offer. Most importantly, it highlighted how the locals of different tribe and faith are celebrating their differences. The locals can be harmonious and can come together to create something positive. The beautiful diversity of the people is well-woven on the intricate and colorful pattern of inaul-- the symbol of identity and pride of Maguindanaons.

Inaul literally means "weaved" in Maguindanaon language. An original product of Maguindanao, Inaul is a hand-woven cloth that traces its history all the way from the introduction of Islam in Mindanao by Shariff Mohammad Kabunsuan. The product and process of inaul have been successfully passed down from generation to generation. To this day, inaul is still used as an everyday item by the Maguindanaon people. 

Making an inaul fabric is a long process that takes weeks to finish. From the preparation of the threads to the weaving process, it requires patience and great focus on details to make this vibrant fabric. Inaul comes in different designs and patterns that symbolize something deep and emotional about the weaver. The use of colors also has a hidden meaning that reflects the culture of Maguindanaons. Red means bravery; green for peace; black for dignity; and white for sadness.

Traditionally, inaul products are made into malong and tubaw. Today, the fabric has found its way to fancy and innovative products like gowns, trousers, polo shirts, wallets, bags, shoes, and many more.

With the strong patronage of inaul for local and international events, it is no surprise how this fabric helps the locals thrive. The added income of mothers from weaving contributes largely to their family sustenance. With the aid of the government, individual and group weavers from each municipality benefits even more. Other than the local government, NGOs, like The Moropreneur Inc., supports women in the production, marketing, and distribution of inaul. At the core of these NGOs is a vision to use inaul to engage people together. So far, they have succeeded in mobilizing the women of Maguindanao from different municipalities and different cultural backgrounds. 

Preserving a cultural gem like inaul takes collective action. With the trend right now, we are seeing a bright future for inaul representation in the global arena. Hence, it is imperative that we continue supporting and patronizing our own inaul and its by-products. We should teach our children and pass on this beautiful heritage. Furthermore, it is of primary importance that we shift our view of Maguindanao and highlight the good products and stories the people can share to the world. We could be on the headlines too...with something positive to tell.