#VESTRIVIA: Pis Syabit

The pis syabit textile is woven by the Tausug tribe from the Sulu Archipelago. As the name implies, the textile is worn by Tausug men as a headcloth (pis) and is easily identifiable with the geometric (syabit) designs it features. Traditionally woven in silk, modern reinterpretations of the tapestry- made on the backstrap loom- also use other fibers like cotton fiber blends. The technique to create the pis syabit is also believed to have been adapted from Chinese textile techniques. However, it is important to emphasize how locals would often take foreign ideas and incorporate it into something uniquely their own. Another example of this would be the geometric patterns that appear like a mandala on the square piece of cloth. The mandala pattern originates from the Hindu culture which the Tausugs could have gained a knowledge of by way of Indian trade textiles.

Pis Syabit with metallic thread

Pis Syabit being further embellished with beads

Bright colors are also used to enliven the geometric patterns of the pis syabit fabric. Traditionally, the color combinations used on the headcloths could be described as monochromatic with a tendency to use red and purple hues. Recent reinterpretations of the fabric are exploring different color combinations and are no longer limited to monochromatic color schemes. For example, modern pis syabit fabrics tend to utilize metallic threads and green fabrics. Green here can be understood to represent the increasing shift of the Tausug’s to the Islam belief seeing as green is the color of Islam.

The Lucy Mini

The Cameron Medium

The Drew Belt Bag

The Disco Collection features the Pis Syabit weave, has light gold hardware, is fully lined in Pink Satin, and has a kiss lock frame closure.

Sources used:

Araneta, Patricia. Art and the Order of Nature: The Mercedes Zobel Collection of Indigenous Philippine Textiles. Makati City, Philippines: Ayala Foundation, 2014.

Capistrano-Baker, Florina H. “The Ayala Museum’s Gold Collection.” In Philippine Ancestral Gold, 21-130. Makati: Ayala Foundation, 2011.

Villegas, Ramon N. Hiyas: Philippine Jewellery Heritage. Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines: Guild of Philippine Jewellers, 1997.