THE IFUGAO State University trained public school teachers on Ifugao weaving.

The two-day event imparted knowledge on Ifugao lore, symbols, and patterns that can be found in traditional Ifugao textiles.

Marlon Martin, Chief Operations Officer of the Save Ifugao Terraces Movement, said that it is important for Filipinos to understand the traditional weaving practice to keep track of cultural meanings and contexts.

“Our Ifugao textiles are full of stories. The [colors,] symbols, and patterns of the textiles can actually tell the intricate relationship of the early Ifugaoas to the gods and the universe,” Martin was quoted as saying in The International Innovation Center for Indigenous Studies’ Bulletin.

“The use of a variety of symbols in making their traditional textiles are not random creative expressions of the weaver but standard patterns passed down from earlier generations,” he added.

A total of 15 teachers participated in the event held at the Indigenous Peoples Education Center in Kiangan, Ifugao last week.

The activity was part of the Ifugao Indigenous Knowledge Educators Training Program which was brought to life through the partnership of the Center for Taiwan-Philippines Indigenous Local Knowledge and Sustainable Studies.

It aims to train public school teachers to develop modules incorporated with indigenous knowledge, systems, and practices.