Bontoc Rain Hat (Item 2)

Description

Bontoc Rain Hat — a collectible item from our curated catalog. Part of the Philippine Tribal Arts catalog (Zen Images) (1 photo available) — condition and provenance details to be confirmed by seller.

History & Background:
Bontoc Igorot Native Rain Protector Hat 1930"s worn by both men and women. These items are very rare to find, Not being weave anymore around 1950's - 1970's because of the availability of plastics and umbrellas which is better and practical to use than to engage in making one of this which is hard and laborious. This type of Bontoc basketry is one of the harder to weave. Made from Rattan, Palm Leaves, bamboo and beeswax. It is created with several layers of palm leaves, in between are coat of beeswax then held together by thread of thin rattans.a sheet of bamboo about 1 inch made in circle is place in the center to secure the head. Measures 16" in diameter height from ground to the tip is 5.8". Very intricate weaving! Good addition to your basketry and ethnic collection! The woman’s rain protector is often brought home from the camote gardens bottom up on the woman’s head full of camote vines as food for the pigs, or with long, dry grass for their bedding. And, as has been noted, all day long during April and May, when there were no camote vines, women and little girls were going about bearing their small scoop-shaped sûg-fi′ gathering wild vegetation for the hogs. The men of the Bontoc area also have a basket-work, conical rain hat. It is waterproof, being covered with beeswax. It is called “sĕg-fi′,” and is worn only when it rains, at which time the suk′-lâng is often not removed. ( Albert Jenks, The Bontoc Igorot )