The process of creating exquisite Aklanon piña fabric involves several stages, with the fourth stage being primarily performed by women warpers or “𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙤𝙜𝙨𝙖𝙗-𝙤𝙣𝙜” in the household who are skilled in the art of “𝙥𝙖𝙜𝙨𝙖𝙗-𝙤𝙣𝙜” or warping. The word "𝙥𝙖𝙜𝙨𝙖𝙗-𝙤𝙣𝙜" refers to the act of warping the long continuous knotted fiber or "𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙜𝙖𝙠" on the “𝙨𝙖𝙗-𝙤𝙣𝙜𝙖𝙣” or warping wheel, which is essential for producing quality piña fabric.

A piña fabric has two sections, the weft locally called as “𝙝𝙪𝙚𝙤𝙜” or the horizontal fibers, and the warp locally called as “𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙙𝙤𝙜” or “𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙗-𝙤𝙣𝙜” or the vertical fiber of the pina fabric. After knotting the piña fiber, the long continuous knotted fiber or “𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙜𝙖𝙠” are warped by a warper or “𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙤𝙜𝙨𝙖𝙗-𝙤𝙣𝙜”, normally women of the household. Knotted fiber is warped using a warping wheel but unlike other warping wheel found in other regions Aklanon’s piña warping wheel is a long horizontal warping wheel made of solid wood and can produce at least 75 meters of warp, has three wheels sectionally aligned with equal number of wooden rods nailed around or “𝙠𝙖𝙜𝙖𝙩”.

The warping begins with a pair or “𝙢𝙖𝙜-𝙖𝙨𝙖𝙬𝙖” of knotted piña fibers placed inside an open box or container with fine sand on top to counter weight the knotted fiber and avoid tangling during warping process. The manugsab-ong then strings these fibers around the warping wheel, which is a long horizontal wheel made of solid wood. The warping wheel is typically located near a window with natural light, providing the perfect environment as error and quality control timely happens.

This intricate work requires sharp memory to remember each strand's arrangement on the warp and clear eyesight to spot any misplaced strands. The “𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙪𝙜𝙨𝙖𝙗-𝙤𝙣𝙜” gracefully sways her body sideways as she strings the fibers on the wooden rods around the wheel, creating a mesmerizing dance-like movement while warping. This process take days to weeks to fill the roundabout of the warping wheel with thousands of slow-spinning, swaying, and stringing actions until the desired number of warped thread is reached that is required for weaving.

The warpers skein of knowledge and skills unravel the intricacy of weaving of piña fabric. This work of love contributes significantly to the preservation of this UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage and promotes national pride.

This a publication series honoring our women of Piña.

Happy National Women’s month to our warpers!

#WEcanbeEquALL #NWMC2024 #WomenOfPiña #piña #RPCP #NationalWomensMonth #WomensMonth #WEcanbeEquALL