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Not known to many, there were (and still few) weavers in Ibaan, Batangas. These weavers, with an udmirable desire, expertise and patience in creating a craft are really few living in a small community. However, though they are relatively rare to find, they still create a very beautiful set of blankets, wallets and travel pillows which are passed to a maglalako to sell.
The following article are taken from Ibaan’s Official Government Website:
Kulambo
Ibaan’s original famous “kulambo” is actually made if white, soft cotton threads extracted from abaca-like hemp which pass through rigid process of cleansing and weaving. As far as one can remember, the materials were bought in Lipa City. First stage if the process called “mina-matiyas” involves cleansing and rinsing of the hemp strands which is usuallt done along river banks. This is followed by dipping the same in “almerol” before being hanged into open sun until dry with lose ends being tied up, the threads usually cover a long distance due to its length. After a few more stretching and drying, already in cotton string form, they are looped into a circular bamboo structure called “bilingan” before again being teined intoa runner made of bamboo chunk of commonly called “daga” for “maghahabi”. Ready for weaving, the three threads are inserted and positioned into “habihan” with which woven cotton cloth for mosquito nets are created. Ibaan’s kulambo is highly likened and appreciated in different parts of the archipelago for its smoothness, lightness and cool feeling everytime it touches one’s skin. Because of the complexity of the process, different barangays performs various stages. This allowed more Ibaeños to earn until they are peddled by the maglalako. (Aling Marciana Pabito Kulambo since 1970 at Bungahan,Ibaan, Batangas)Habi
“Habi” is the oldest form of weaving that still exists in Ibaan. It is through this that the Ibaeños became popular with their hand woven blankets and bed sheets which were sold by maglalako in deifferent areas of the country.
Last Updated: November 14, 2013
Hi there
Where can I buy this old style of kulambo, I would love to get one in either single size or double size.
Suncery,
Flora
You can buy it from local marketplace of ibaan and along the road.