{"id":1218,"date":"2017-10-15T10:39:27","date_gmt":"2017-10-15T10:39:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/goodnights.rest\/?page_id=1218"},"modified":"2018-08-13T22:04:21","modified_gmt":"2018-08-13T22:04:21","slug":"handwoven-mat-banig","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/goodnights.rest\/beds-hammocks-futons-and-more\/handwoven-mat-banig\/","title":{"rendered":"What’s a Ban\u00edg?"},"content":{"rendered":"
Handwoven mats are by no means unique to a single culture or country. Traditional ways of of weaving and dyeing mats have been passed down and celebrated in places like Indonesia, India, and Mexico—all across the globe. However, the materials used differ; as well as\u00a0the common varied uses and enduring popularity of each kind of mat.\u00a0This article will be focusing on the ban\u00edg\u00a0from the Philippines, which is handwoven but not made of textile.<\/p>\n
The ban\u00edg is similar to a Latin American petate<\/a>\u00a0or a Japanese\u00a0tatami mat<\/a>\u00a0in that\u00a0it is composed of dried leaves; and is often used for sitting and sleeping. Unlike the tatami, though, a ban\u00edg can come in many shapes, sizes and colors. Also, a ban\u00edg design—down to the very materials used—changes depending on the Philippine region it is from and on the ethnolinguistic group that made it. This is different from a petate; which is\u00a0generally made from the plant Leucothrinax morrisii, better known as the palm of petate.<\/p>\n A\u00a0ban\u00edg\u00a0can be\u00a0made from dried palm or pandanus leaves, or blades of\u00a0swampy reed\u00a0grass. The drying process, sometimes under direct sunlight, strengthens the material and imparts a shiny brown tone. Sometimes the leaves are dyed before they are cut into thin, manageable strips. Then they are hammered and wound to preserve softness and pliability. A ban\u00edg can have colorful patterns on it for decoration; however, it is likewise very common to find a plain brown ban\u00edg for everyday use indoors—particularly for sleeping—especially in provincial homes.<\/p>\n