Darhata Sawabi

Master 'Pis Syabit' Weaver of Sulu

WHO IS DARHATA?

Darhata Sawabi is a Filipino weaver from Parang, Sulu, born on 4 March 1943. who is well-known for her Pis syabit, a traditional Tausug fabric tapestry worn as a head covering by the Jolos. Sawabi died on March 12, 2005, about a year after she was given the National Living Treasures Award. Pis refers to the geometric pattern that is claimed to be originated from the Indic mandala, while siyabit refers to the hook and technique. Sawabi, who is unmarried, weaves for a living because farming, a common source of income for Parang families, is not viable for her. Pis syabit weaving is a laborious task. The warp alone takes three days to create. She employs apprentice weavers and youngsters in her job by the age of 48.

Retrieved from:National Commission for Culture and the arts. (n.d.). https://ncca.gov.ph/about-culture-and-arts/culture-profile/gamaba/

Behind the Art

Darháta Sawábi of Jolo, Sulu's Barangay Parang received the Manlilikha ng Bayan Award in 2005. This is in recognition of her dedication to preserving the craft of weaving "pis syabit" by continuing to do so and training younger people. The pis syabit is a traditional tapestry cloth wrapped around the Tausug's head. Women weave it and pass it on to their daughters.

Weaving pis syabit is a difficult task. In fact, just drawing the tapestry's outline takes three days. It is achieved by wrapping black and crimson thread around a banana and bamboo frame. Sawabi uses additional colors in addition to red and black, depending on the necessities of the chosen design.

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