Darhata Sawabi is a Filipino weaver from

Parang Parang is a popular folk music originating from Venezuela and Trinidad and Tobago that was brought to Trinidad and Tobago by Venezuelan migrants who were primarily of Amerindian, Spanish, Mestizo, Pardo, and African heritage, something which ...

, Sulu known for ''pis syabit'', a traditional Tausūg cloth tapestry worn as a head covering by the people of

Jolo Jolo ( tsg, Sūg) is a volcanic island in the southwest Philippines and the primary island of the province of Sulu, on which the capital of the same name is situated. It is located in the Sulu Archipelago, between Borneo and Mindanao, and has ...

. She is a recipient of the National Living Treasures Award, having given the distinction in 2004. ''Pis'' refers to the geometric pattern that is said to be derived from the Indic

mandala A mandala ( sa, मण्डल, maṇḍala, circle, ) is a geometric configuration of symbols. In various spiritual traditions, mandalas may be employed for focusing attention of practitioners and adepts, as a spiritual guidance tool, for e ...

, and ''siyabit'' stands for the hook and technique. Unmarried, Sawabi does weaving as a means of livelihood since farming, a common source of income for Parang families, is not sustainable for herself. ''Pis syabit'' weaving is a tedious work. It takes three days for the warp alone to be made. By age 48, she employs the help of apprentice weavers and children in her work. In the 1970s, she has to moved residence at least twice due to the

Moro conflict The Moro conflict is an insurgency in the Mindanao region of the Philippines, which has involved multiple armed groups, and has been ongoing since March 1968. Peace deals have been signed between the Philippine government and two major arme ...

. Sawabi died on March 12, 2005, about a year after she was given the National Living Treasures Award.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sawabi, Darhata People from Sulu Filipino weavers 2005 deaths National Living Treasures of the Philippines