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Darhata Sawabi was a Filipino weaver from Parang, Sulu known for pis syabit, a traditional Tausūg cloth tapestry worn as a head covering by the people of Jolo. She is a recipient of the National Living Treasures Award, having been given the distinction in 2004. Pis refers to the geometric pattern that is said to be derived from the Indic mandala, and siyabit stands for the hook and technique.

Unmarried, Sawabi wove as a means of livelihood since farming, a common source of income for Parang families, was not sustainable for herself. Pis syabit weaving is a tedious work. It takes three days for the warp alone to be made. By age 48, she employed the help of apprentice weavers and children in her work. In the 1970s, she moved residence at least twice due to the Moro conflict. Sawabi died on March 12, 2005, about a year after she was given the National Living Treasures Award.

References

1. ^ Tobias, Maricris Jan. "National Living Treasures: Darhata Sawabi". National Commission for Culture and the Arts. Archived from the original on February 25, 2022. Retrieved December 13, 2020.
2. Estrella, Fiel (October 10, 2017). "13 indigenous artists who have kept Filipino creativity alive". CNN Philippines. Archived from the original on October 20, 2021. Retrieved December 13, 2020.
3. "Women and their Weaves". Agung. XVIII (4): 10. August 2015. Retrieved December 13, 2020.
4. Estremera, Stella (August 27, 2017). "Weavers of peace and dreams". Sunstar. Retrieved December 13, 2020.

• People from Sulu
• Filipino weavers
• 2005 deaths
• National Living Treasures of the Philippines