What do Morocco and the Philippines have in common?
Love for indigenous arts and textiles!
Philippine Embassy in Rabat, Morocco celebrates National Indigenous Month by showcasing Agusan Manobos culture and traditions through different patterns of Suyam embroidery, paintings, ceramic carvings and cultural performances at the Rabat International University (UIR) Did.
“Morocco is known for its long history of textiles. We have some similarities with Filipino textiles in terms of fabrics and styles and we hope to highlight this connection in our exhibition,” said Ambassador Leslie Baha. rice field.
“We hope to showcase the contributions and cultures of the indigenous peoples of the Philippines and raise awareness of their plight in light of the socio-economic development currently taking place. We want to be able to preserve and protect our culture,” Baha added.
100 years of textile manufacturing tradition
Entitled “Kinabhi: Ompo and Suyam of Agusan Manobo,” the exhibition showcases the vibrant spirit of the Agusan Manobo Indigenous Group through artwork and performances by Karlit Kamaharan Amara, Assistant Professor in the Department of Design Foundation, De La Salle College, San Benilde. culture. Born in Agusan del Norte.
He also used Agusan’s traditional bamboo flute, Surin, to serenade the crowd with Panawagtawag, which literally translates as “calling”.
The artworks interweave the centuries-old traditions of the Agusan Manobo tribe with kinabhi, which means life or peace, suyam, the traditional embroidery style of the Agusan Manobo tribe, and ompo, which represents a god or a sentinel. represents an element. It wards off evil spirits and protects people.
Suyam textiles and accessories from Agusan del Norte (Credit: Embassy of the Philippines in Rabat)
During the lecture, Amara spoke about the culture and traditions of the Agusan Manobos through different patterns of Suyam embroidery depicting their daily lives, struggles and aspirations. We shared how weaving as an activity has served as a medium to pass on traditions from generation to generation.
Amara was awarded the “Distinguished Alumnus in Community Empowerment Award” by the University of the Philippines Alumni Association in 2016 and the “2020 Outstanding Leadership in Culture and the Arts Award” in New York.
He is also a cultural ambassador and his work has been exhibited in Wales, Ghent, London and New York.
Suyam textiles and accessories from Agusan del Norte (Credit: Embassy of the Philippines in Rabat)
Cultural exchange between Morocco and the Philippines
Abdelhafid Debar, Counselor and Chief of Staff of the University Rector’s Office, congratulated the Embassy of the Philippines on the opening of its first ever art exhibition in Morocco. Debarr expressed a commitment to continued partnership between the university and the embassy through cultural activities and programs. Debarr conveyed the university’s willingness to sign a memorandum of understanding with the Philippine university to improve people-to-people exchanges.
Ambassador Leslie J. Baja, Mr. Khalit Kamaharan Amara, and Mr. Abdelhafid Debar, Counselor and Chief of Staff to the Chancellor’s Office, stand behind Suyam’s ceramic sculpture (Courtesy: Embassy of the Philippines in Rabat)
About 5,600 Filipinos live in Morocco. The Philippine Embassy in Rabat has reopened in 2020 after being closed for over 30 years. The Philippine Embassy in Rabat is the newest embassy in Africa.
— GMA News, LA
