Textiles in Mindanao are predominantly handwoven from abaca (musa textilis). A member of the banana plant family, it grows naturally and is native to the Philippines. The inner fibers are extracted by stripping the outer layer and pulled through a press to break the stalk into finer fiber strands. The fine fibers are dried and then knotted into threads. These are dyed and prepared for warping. Weaving is done with back strapped looms specially among the more rural communities. Collectively called katutubo (roots), these communities with distinct ethnolinguistic cultures are known as Mandaya, Bagobo, B'laan, Higoanon, and T'boli.
Among the Moslems of Mindanao, the Magindanaon, Maranaw and Yakan continue the tradition of cotton and silk weaving. Muslim weavers do not weave abaca.
Music: "Hinabi" by Harold Andre Cruz Santos (performed at the ASEAN Dance Forum Bangkok Thailand June 13 1917)
