STORIES

Discover the Tboli community’s journey to reclaim their linguistic identity in our Buwan ng Wika special, “Decolonizing the Apostrophe: The Tboli Path to Cultural Assertion.” This article delves into the significance of removing the apostrophe from “T’boli,” exploring its broader implications for cultural revitalization and decolonization.

Unraveling the Rainbow: Queer and Indigenous Intersections in the Philippines Pride Month paints the world with a vibrant palette of rainbow hues, each one a symbol of the diverse identities...

"My journey as a Tau Temwel was not easy. But it was an experience that taught me so much. It taught me that even without a formal education, women like me can accomplish great things for myself, my family, and my community." - Henia Blunto

 

"We honestly just wanted something simple for our wedding. I searched the web for design inspirations and later decided to go for classic wedding bands. We asked Sesotunawa to create the rings for us and we loved it! We even had it engraved with our wedding date from a small jewelry shop here in our province." - Algel and Patrick

 

"Delivering food aid is not charity, it is our moral responsibility. Just as I believe that supporting Sesotunawa is not something that we can opt to do out of the goodness of our hearts, it is what we are called to do: to listen where and when we can, and build each other up so that we all have a chance to share our stories." - Kat Petines

I know that I still have a lot to learn to master Tmool Lmimet. But I will continue to be patient and determined. Someday, when I'm finally able to say that I am good at this, I can tell myself that I have honored what my Ye has passed on to me.

Now, whenever my daughters take interest in Tmool Lmimet, I felt more assured. I told myself, "Kung mag padayun na sakto na presyo ang pag bakal sa amon produkto wala gid sang nanay nga mag siling sa bata nya na hindi sya mag beads." (As long as our products are bought at a fair price, no mother will ever discourage their children to learn Tmool Lmimet.)

 

The Tboli art of beadwork or Timool Lemimet is a tradition that has been kept alive by the Tboli over the years. Like each bead strung in a thread, this indigenous knowledge and skill connects one generation of Tau Lemimet (Tboli Beader) to another.