Filipino Traditional Arts: Weaving, Tattoos, Baybayin and More

Filipino traditional arts are living practices, many kept alive by Indigenous communities and a new generation of artists.

Weaving

From the Ilocano inabel to the T'boli t'nalak and Yakan weaving in Basilan, handloom textiles are among the country's greatest art forms.

Batok (traditional tattooing)

The Kalinga practice of hand-tapped tattooing is famously carried on by Apo Whang-Od in Buscalan. In the past, tattoos marked bravery, beauty and status across many Filipino groups.

Baybayin

Baybayin is a pre-colonial script once used across the Tagalog region and beyond. Related scripts like Hanunuo Mangyan and Tagbanwa are still used by their communities today.

Okir

Okir is the flowing, curling carving and design tradition of the Maranao and other Mindanao peoples, seen in the famous sarimanok bird.

Pottery, metalwork and music

The Philippines also has deep traditions in pottery, brass casting, and gong music like the kulintang.

Keeping them alive

Support artists and communities directly, credit the source, and learn the meaning before using a symbol.

Wear the story

Baybayin is at the heart of what we design. Explore our custom Baybayin pieces. UGAT means roots. Know yours.