Situated in between the peaceful cohabitation of Christians, Higaonons, and Maranaos—collectively referred to as the Tri-People—Iligan City is a vibrant, multiethnic community. This city's traditional arts and crafts are a living history, honoring a rich legacy that has been passed down through the decades.
The indigenous population of Iligan City has a rich artistic legacy, having preserved a long-standing custom of creating elaborate and exquisite artwork. Iligan is a veritable craftsman's paradise, offering everything from weaving and ceramics to metalwork and woodcarving (Aucoin, 2023). Due to the thriving community of gifted artists and a rich cultural history, tradition and modernity coexist here with harmony. This city, which celebrates the past while welcoming modern expressions, is proof of the enduring marriage of tradition and innovation.
Keeping Tradition Alive: Traditional Arts and Crafts
Exploring Iligan City's artistic tradition offers an important tie to its indigenous people, who have long maintained a tradition of creating complicated and magnificent works of art. These wondrous art forms are more than just works of art; they represent a key thread in the fabric of local culture, serving as a continual reminder of Iligan's deeply ingrained traditions.
The city has evolved into a vibrant blend of cultures that defines its unique character, drawing from a wide range of influences, from the delicate artistry of the Maranao to the traditional knowledge of the Higaonons. Here, the stories of many civilizations collide, recognizing both their shared experiences and the unique expressions of their history. This amazing cultural mosaic showcases a variety of traditional arts and crafts.
Indeed, each stitch, weave, and stroke in these crafts bears the weight of Iligan's history, its people's stories, and the essence of their identity. Notably, the Inaul textiles and Maranao malongs are remarkable examples of this craftsmanship, with stunning designs and precise artistry that have been admired for years.
Beyond from these outstanding examples, the Higaonon tribe's artistry and craftsmanship shine through their beautiful Beads and Hinabol. These intriguing creations highlight the tribe's extraordinary skills and customs, providing yet another layer to Iligan's unique cultural tapestry. Each bead and woven work depicts the Higaonon tribe's distinct artistic expression, strengthening the city's artistic heritage and celebrating its diverse community. These traditional textiles and crafts are more than just pretty; they are a living homage to the city's storied history and living manifestations of the Tri-People's collective memory.
Changing of Times: Modern Arts and Crafts
In February 2011, Iligan City celebrated National Arts Month with a distinct focus on indigenous arts, highlighting local ingenuity while honoring its own artistic past. The initiative exemplified the resilient spirit of Filipino artists. This tradition, prompted by late President Corazon Aquino's proclamation of February as National Arts Month in 1991, aimed not only to honor the country's local artists but also to serve as a source of inspiration for the Filipino people, fostering a strong sense of patriotism among the younger generation. (Gloria, 2011).
In recent years, this vibrant city has been undergoing a remarkable evolution, with its traditional arts and crafts transitioning towards modernity, especially in the context of eco-tourism, with the purpose of supporting the local economy and enhancing the city's tourism prospects. Despite the shift towards more contemporary art forms, these innovations have not compromised the rich historical underpinnings that have long defined the city's artistic heritage.
The harmonious combination of tradition and modern workmanship has resulted in a diverse range of artistic masterpieces that not only visually captivate but also profoundly resonate with the local culture. This shift embodies the city's innovative spirit and represents its unshakable commitment to preserving its rich cultural legacy while warmly welcoming change and innovation. The following are some examples of crafts that have effectively adapted to modernity:
Bamboo Crafts
Bamboo Crafts has experienced a transformation in this city. Bamboo has always been a versatile material that is often used to make baskets and furniture. Bamboos have come into new uses, nevertheless, as decorative items and creatively woven bags due to the emergence of contemporary local crafts.
Woven Products
In the same direction, woven goods have experienced an incredible evolution that parallels the innovative course of bamboo crafts. Kuri-Kuri's superb products are an example of how what started out as a simple weave for banig and bayongs has evolved into a variety of stylish backpacks, handbags, and purses. There has also been a change in the weaving process, moving away from traditional patterns and toward more inventive and artistic weaving techniques.
Beads and Souvenir Trinkets
Indigenous jewelry, which was traditionally generally worn as personal decoration by the tribes, has seen a significant transition in recent years. As eco-tourism takes off, a lot of these elaborate beaded works have evolved into treasured keepsakes for tourists. These jewelry pieces allow visitors to bring home a bit of the vibrant cultural legacy of the city in addition to being exquisite accessories.
The evolution of traditional crafts in the city showcases the city's exceptional ability to remain relevant in an ever-changing world. By adapting these generations old practices to meet modern demands, the city bridges the gap between its rich history and the present, resulting in a good coexistence of tradition and modernity.
These changes not only provide economic opportunities and appeal to the growing eco-tourism industry, but they also play a vital role in the preservation of the city's priceless historic past. While incorporating modern elements and innovations, the crafts retain the essence of their legacy, allowing these time-honored traditions to survive and thrive. As the city evolves, so does its art, ensuring that future generations will continue to be inspired by the beauty of Iligan's creative spirit. In this way, it not only ensures the preservation of cultural customs, but it also allows the city's artisans to demonstrate their skills and inventiveness on a larger scale.
Thanks for this Lurdan! very informative😊