WEAVING DREAMS

Collage & swirls done with piZap, photos from websites

Last night, I was watching a news TV which featured a few youths in Kalinga, a mountain province in the Cordillera Highlands.  This mountain range is the largest and highest in our country, purely mountains and no valleys.

Most of the native cultures and traditions are kept alive in this community, including the handicraft of manual weaving of cloths and tapestry.

It was such a novelty for me, as one who has never been to the highlands, except for a vacation in the summer capital of the Philippines, Baguio City, seeing those youths' happy faces. looming away with their native crafts.  As an islander of the central parts of my country, I am most familiar with sea harvests and shell products, tourism and the like.  But I have never actually witnessed the art of weaving using the loom.

This girl was telling her story to the news reporter.  Being in poverty, she could not go to college with what meager earnings her parents get in farming.  So, she had to weave her dreams with the loom.  She hoped to graduate from college next school year and she related this, with her big smile, that she is happy to be able to fulfill her dreams through the craft which was handed down by their ancestors from the 16th century.

I wish you success, young lady.  Be patient in getting your goals.  I pray that you will find honor and happiness with every strand of thread, in every color you use with your back-strap loom.  And may your descendants continue the legacy with love and diligence.

Isn't it great to see cultures, crafts, old wisdom and beliefs that are still alive even to these days of instant products and digital technologies.  What luxury it is to see people living the simplest and yet beaming with pride and joy, over their race, their traditions and arts. For didn't Leonardo da Vinci aptly say, “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.”  

QUOTES THAT ARE WORTHWHILE:

“Life is not complex. We are complex. Life is simple, and the simple thing is the right thing.” — Oscar Wilde

“From native simplicity we arrive at more profound simplicity.” — Albert Schweitzer

“In character, in manner, in style, in all things, the supreme excellence is simplicity.” — Henry Wadsworth 

"Never again will I make the simple into the complex. Something of true value does not become more valuable because it becomes complicated. Experience and conditions come and go; complications arise and fall away, but the simple action of God is eternal in the universe." — Donald Curtis


"Simplicity is making the journey of this life with just baggage enough." -  Charles Dudley Warner

"There is a certain majesty in simplicity which is far above all the quaintness of wit."  -Alexander Allan Pope 

MORE SIMPLICITY QUOTES:

"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication"
Leonardo da Vinci (1452–1519)

"Things should be made as simple as possible, but no simpler"
Albert Einstein (1879–1955)

"You can always recognize truth by its beauty and simplicity"
Richard Feynman (1918–1988)

"If you can't describe it simply, you can't use it simply"

"Simplicity is the direct result of profound thought"


And to quote a few verses in the Bible:

2 Corinthians 1:12 For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.

Psalms 19:7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. 

Psalms 119:130 The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.

Psalms 116:6 The LORD preserveth the simple: I was brought low, and he helped me.

Proverbs 1:4 To give subtlety to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion. 

 Proverbs 21:11 When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.
 ~ ~ ~

This has taught me a lot about honesty and obedience as a child's.  Looking at everything in the light of simplicity and single-mindedness, that a child does, acceptance, respect, trust and loyalty, is what is far greater in the eyes of the Lord.

I could honestly say that I have been into Vanity Fair, longed for things of luxury, had been envious and jealous..... but Oh, my God, thou shall give me a heart, candid, loving, open, trusting and simple, as a child.... and more importantly, Lord, teach me to be humble.  Amen!

This reminds me of Pam's Posts:

Wonder Days 
When Stars Come Out
Crayola Days
It's a SnowGlobe World
Sea Star
Catching Joy
Light In my Heart

...... almost all of Pam's writings are from a pure and simple heart who looks upon God in small things, or in things coming in small packages, thereby making our Father all the more awesome.
~ ~ ~

PHOTO SOURCE

PHOTO SOURCE

PHOTO SOURCE

NOTES:  As I googled about backstrap weaving, I found this blog.  This industry and handicraft is a South American wealth, still flourishing at present.  There are images, tutorials and reports in this site.

A finished product shown in the blog, purses..... and a whole lot more items, beautiful and lovingly woven, with patience and a heart for the craft.



This image comes from a Burmese site.  Backstrap Weaving is a source of empowerment for women.










Take note of the way the sticks are strapped to the weaver's behind (thus the name).  This is a home-made backstrap.  You need to sit flat on the floor when you are weaving.

This is so interesting and I delight in sharing it to you.