UN agency helps mat weavers of Basilan’s Sama-Bajau community

MALUSO, Basilan — Colorful strips of pandan leaves hang from metal frames, sometimes swaying with a gust of wind, in the common economic facility in Maluso, Basilan.

Sibiya Bahali, fondly called Inah Biri, is waiting for the long leaves that have been soaked in food color to dry.

“This [drying facility] is a big help to us,” she said. “We are able to predict how long it will take for us to complete weaving mats more efficiently.”

Article continues after this advertisement

Long‑standing problems such as armed conflict, poverty, clan disputes and environmental risks have contributed to the vulnerability of communities in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

FEATURED STORIES

NEWSINFO

NEWSINFO

NEWSINFO

These factors have led to the displacement of some members of the indigenous Sama-Bajau community and affected their access to sustainable livelihoods.

Moreover, aspects of their mobile way of life have increased their risk of statelessness, limiting visibility and access to the full range of rights and services.

Traditionally, the indigenous Sama-Bajau are seafaring people who rely heavily on the sea for their livelihood.

Whenever weather allows, the men go out to get fresh catch.

Article continues after this advertisement

Among women, mat weaving is a traditional craft and income-generating endeavor.

However, modernization has made this labor- and time-intensive undertaking less attractive to the younger generation.

Article continues after this advertisement

In the coastal town of Maluso, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) with support from the Japanese government, is working with Relief International to support the livelihood of the Magtetepoh Women’s Organization through the Initiative in Promoting Digital Birth Registration.

They also safeguard the rights and identities of vulnerable individuals, preventing risks of statelessness, and promoting access to essential services.

A mat weaver is called “magtetepoh” in the dialect.

Economic empowerment

“I’m happy that more women now want to learn [to weave],” Bahali, 56, said.

She never completed schooling. Her husband is a fisher. In order to help with expenses for their eight children, she has worked as a laundrywoman and vendor in the past.

Now, she has a stable source of income as a mat weaver. Her grandmother and mother taught her how to weave when she was 13.

“They passed down this legacy to us. Now that they are gone, we are continuing the tradition,” she said.

Today, she not only contributes to the household purse but has also become a well-regarded and respected member of the community.

As a master weaver, she has taught and continues to teach many younger women how to make mats, thus, empowering them with a sustainable source of livelihood.

“We get along with each other. We help one another. Since there are more of us now, we are able to make more [tepoh],” Bahali said.

“If my grandmother could see me now.”

When she was young, Rowena Nulaji’s grandmother attempted to teach her how to weave, but she was not interested.

Today, she has realized the wisdom of learning a traditional practice.

She has developed dexterity for the craft and though she works full time as a pre-school teacher, she also weaves at home to earn a bit more income and because “it would be a shame not to use what I have learned.”

She basks in the sisterhood she shares with neighbors when they weave together.

She admits that she likes singing local love songs as she swiftly moves her hands to form a pattern.

She tells her pupils about the advantages of learning to weave because she went through the same experience.

And now that they have a drying facility, the younger generation do not have to worry about unpredictable weather disrupting their mat weaving work.

“I just want my children to finish their schooling and get stable jobs,” Nulaji said.

Learning how to weave and sew woven mats into coin purses, wallets and bags has given Cecille Damdani more economic empowerment.

Whereas she used to be a stay-at-home mom who waited for her husband’s earnings to decide how to budget it for her nine children, now that she also earns, they will at least be able to eat rice every day.

“Never mind if we can only have salt or soy sauce with it,” Damdani said.

Sisterhood

She likes the solidarity of weaving side by side with her neighbors. Many of them are mothers, too. Just like the designs they make, their lives are interwoven in their humble community.

“We help each other and that makes work and life easier for us,” she said. “Through my work, I am able to help my family members.”

Her mother, Mohala, taught Farhana Manuel how to weave when she was eight.

Farhana did not finish schooling but at 26 years old now and with three children, she has taken up weaving again.

From her earnings, she contributes money to buy fuel for her husband’s fishing boat and helps with expenses for her younger sister’s education.

It takes her a month to finish a huge tepoh that comfortably accommodates two persons.

Even as she is finishing one mat now, she is waiting for strips to dry. This way, soon after she completes one mat, she is ready to start another.

The tools and materials as well as the drying area for the Magtetepoh Women’s Organization help them manage their work better and not be subject to unpredictable weather, since drying time is crucial to their work.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.

Your subscription has been successful.

With financial stability, women registered their children’s births, securing legal identity and enabling access to health, education and livelihood support programs. /apl