Life and Legacy of Darhata Sawabi
Learn more about the life and legacy of one of the Philippine's master weavers
Humble Beginnings
In the island of Jolo, Sulu province, there lives one of the most treasured artists in the Philippines, A Tausug weaver: Darhata Sawabi. Born on the 4th of March 1943, Darhata Sawabi spent most of her early life practicing the art of “Pis Siyabit”. During her childhood, she was only tasked to do housework and other chores to help her family during their everyday life on the island. Not to mention their only source of income is farming and it is not sufficient to support her family. Her mother would then introduce and teach her the art so that she would also pass the art to the women in the village.
Finding Her Art
According to sources online, women in their village were taught an early age about “Pis Siyabit”. As she was taught, she continually practiced and made various kinds of textiles along with unique patterns and each being specially hand made. Growing up, she did not engage in marriage and instead, continues the art of weaving as this is her only primary source of income because farming is not a suitable job for her. Until the day of her death, she was very passionate of every product she made and was very dedicated to the life she had. Not only was she able to make different textiles but also preserve the art and identity of the people in her village.
Passion Ignited
Everything was peaceful until the 1970’s. With positives, there are negatives. Unfortunately, there were a lot of difficulties that affected the life of Sawabi such as the Moro conflict in the 1970’s primarily in Mindanao. As she returned to the barangay where they were living, she found the textile ruined due to the war. About two months of hard work were wasted. They even had to relocate multiple times during the war, so she had no choice but to abandon the life of art temporarily.
But due to her unrelentless passion for art, she immediately returned to the life of textile weaving. Even if the pay is substandard and the labor is extensive, which takes about three months for each textile, she makes it through the day and is able to support herself and the people around her. She was also cautious of the tradition and made sure that it was passed down to the younger generation as well.
The Beginning of a Legacy
After the Moro conflict, she continued to do the art of weaving up to the age of 48. At 48, she employs apprentices to continue her legacy. Because of her perseverance, the ancient Tausug designs were preserved for future generations thanks to her enthusiasm and dedication to her craft and persistent efforts to share her knowledge and abilities. In 2004 the National Commission for Culture and the Nurds presented her with the Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan (GAMABA) award in honor of her accomplishments and efforts. Sawabi then received the National Living Treasures Award. But unfortunately passed away on March 12, 2005, about a year after she was given the award.
​
In the current age, Pis Siyabit remains as a special tradition to the native Tausugs and will continue as the next generation of weavers craft countless more artworks for art enthusiasts to purchase for themselves. It is a great system in which both are supporting each other to increase the longevity of the unique artwork. As said in the previous paragraphs, this tradition shall be passed to their daughters and their following daughters to preserve, create, and maintain their identity. Although due to the current state of media and technology, Pis Siyabit has gained more noteriety in the public and people can visit and see how the Tausugs craft masterpieces. And not only that, Darhata Sawabi ignited a spark in their campfire. If not for Darhata Sawabi and many other weavers, the art of weaving may not even acquire the recognition it has today.
_jfif.jpg)