Weaving Communities and Cultures Through Cloth
Weaving Communities and Cultures through Cloth will open the month-long celebration of Filipino American (Fil-Am) History Month in Columbia. This national celebration honors the history, pursuits, accomplishments, and legacy of Filipinos in the United States. It serves to link Filipinos in the U.S. and Filipinos in the Philippines by showcasing their shared culture and heritage. Through a visual display of fabrics and a discussion of this living tradition, our inaugural exhibit aims to connect communities and bridge the gap between cultures.
Filipino Americans are the second-largest Asian American group in the nation and the third-largest Asian American group in Columbia. There are approximately 15,000 Filipinos in South Carolina, with nearly half of the population born outside of the U.S. More than 60% of the Filipino population in our state reside in six counties.
The exhibit explores Philippine ancestral weaves that are produced by indigenous communities in the Philippines. These weaves, which have been handed down from generation to generation, hold great cultural and historical significance, often reflecting the unique heritage, customs, and beliefs of the Philippines’ indigenous groups. Moreover, the exhibit will also explore the instrumental role that women, who are the primary weavers in the Philippines, have in Filipino communities. While preserving traditional weaving techniques, Filipino women weavers have also adapted to contemporary markets and trends, forming cooperatives and organizations to promote and market products all the while connecting past to present. These efforts have helped sustain weaving traditions, generate income, and empower women weavers economically. The Philippine government, along with various organizations and advocates, have implemented programs and initiatives to provide training, resources, and market access to women weavers, ensuring the continuity of this living tradition.
This exhibit will be part of a month-long Art and Music programming initiative by the Filipino-American Association of Greater Columbia to bring awareness to the rich and diverse heritage of Filipino culture and build stronger connections to the broader community.
This project is funded in part by the South Carolina Arts Commission which receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts, and is also funded in part by SC Humanities, a state program of the National Endowment for the Humanities.