Weaving color into culture

（Maricris Jan Tobias）

　　Considered one of the best traditional weavers in the Philippines, Haja Amina Appi was named a "living human treasure" in her country in 2004. By transmitting her art to future generations she guarantees the preservation of this example of intangible cultural heritage.

　　Mat weaver Haja Amina Appi walks with a strong stride that belies her 80 years. She is off to harvest leaves from the pandan trees that grow behind her home in Ungos Matata, in the province of Tawi Tawi, a small island in the southwestern tip of the Philippines.

　　The bulky leaves are thorny-edged, but she prefers this variety because it produces strong and sturdy matting strips. She has become accustomed to the prickly thorns after years of working with them to produce the raw materials of her art.

　　Throughout her life she has been a mat weaver, teacher, artist, and most recently, a National Living Treasure, or Gawad sa Manlilika ng Bayan Awardee.

　　In line with UNESCO's efforts to promote living human treasures, the Republic of the Philippines established this prestigious national title in 1992 to identify individuals who play a special role in the preservation and revitalization of traditional arts threatened by extinction.

　　Since then, 11 artists have been named in recognition of their dedication to their craft and use of indigenous methods and materials. Haja Appi received this designation in 2004 in recognition of her skills in the art of weaving mats from pandan leaves, or paghahablon.