Mat Weaving From Pandan In Tawi-Tawi

In Tandubas, Tawi-Tawi, photographer Jacob Maentz is trying to capture, in one image, the weaving activity, contact and emotion that goes into the creation of a Tepo.

A Tepo is a colourful hand-woven mat made from the Dwarf Pandan leaves which grow abundantly on the coasts of Tawi-Tawi.

Traditionally an exclusively female activity amongst the Sama-Bajau, the mat-weaving is an important facet of their cultural identity.

The women will harvest, colour, design and weave the stunning and complex geometric patterns.

Although weaving is common throughout the Philippines, Jacob records subtle regional differences in the weaving execution.

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