The ‘Langkit Weaving Hybrid Loom’ grassroots innovation of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) was hailed as the national winner of the Grassroots Innovation for Circular Economy (GICE) Expo hosted by the Department of Science and Technology XI (DOST XI) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Langkit is a traditional Maranao weave, meticulously handwoven using a backstrap loom. This art form holds deep cultural significance among the Maranao people and is primarily employed for sewing decorative strips onto malongs (tube skirts) and ceremonial attire.
Salika Maguindanao is the founder of Maranao Collectibles, a social enterprise that produces heirloom langkit textiles as well as other Maranao cultural items. She said that they started the Langkit Weaving after the Marawi Siege in order to provide a livelihood for herself and her fellow Maranao women.
Traditionally, langkit weavers are seated on the floor and their body is part of the loom structure which often causes body aches after long hours of weaving. Weaving on the floor also makes the fabric more prone to being soiled.
To address this, they developed the Jardin Hybrid Loom, a loom with elevated seating while weaving langkit and still using the backstrap loom but is more sleek and sophisticated. The hybrid loom reduces the strain on the weaver's legs and can be easily transported to any location.
“My husband, Jardin Samad, invented the loom in hopes to ease the pain of the weavers. Since then, we have been promoting the loom for the weavers to use,” she added.
In her award acceptance speech, Salika Maguindanao thanked DOST for their endless support through the Bangon Marawi Support Fund which allowed them to improve their operations in producing langkit.
“Thank you very much for recognizing our effort. Maraming salamat, DOST,” she added.
CARAGA’s Improvised Underwater Fishing Lamp placed second in the competition. Meanwhile, Region 8’s Modifying Coconut Water for Efficient Cassava Grafting ranked third.
BARMM bested 14 other contenders from across the Philippines under the Grassroots Innovation (GI) category.
