Woman's upper garment (kegal)

The T’boli women are famous for their blouses decorated with embroidery, appliqué, and sequins. Women still wear these on important occasions such as weddings or community celebrations, but the maintenance of old customs is increasingly difficult. Many of the highland Mindanao communities have been deeply impacted by loss of land and the influx of migrants from other regions of the Philippines. The negotiation between older ways of life and the culture of urban society is constant. The T’boli have had success in building tourist networks to help maintain traditional customs, including music, dance, and textile production. Weavers have formed cooperatives and have crowdfunded for the marketing of their textiles, which are now sewn into contemporary clothing, accessories, and housewares. The School for Living Traditions near Lake Sebu promotes the arts and culture of the region by providing classes to local students.