abex

[ɘb‿ɘ’ːːʁʁ.]

the traditional process of weaving cloth by hand using a tanaga’ loom; the craft, trade, or occupation of weaving; to weave cloth manually on a loom.

abex, inabex, miabxen, nangagioroinabxan, mari’gena-abex, magiaxabxan,

HISTORICAL NOTE During the 1930s and early 1940s, Buhi became known for a thriving household-based abaca handicraft industry. Families produced woven cloth, handbags, belts, wallets, slippers, and other articles from locally grown abaca fiber. Traditional handlooms known as tanaga’ were used in the weaving process (abex), while specialized workers called paratagak prepared long knotted strands of fiber for weaving. One of the most notable enterprises was the Buhi Abaca Factory established by Severa Azcarraga Claveria (1890–1941). What began as a family effort to supplement household income during the economic depression grew into a successful cottage industry whose products were sold throughout the Philippines and exported abroad. The industry stands as an important example of Boie’nen craftsmanship, ingenuity, and entrepreneurship.