In the magnificent land of Baganga, Davao Oriental, filled with the beautiful complexion of their traditions lies one of the most remarkable pieces of clothing in history—the textiles of the Mandaya tribe. The Mandaya or Mansaka are prominent for their one of a kind embroideries by simply but gorgeously utilizing beadworks that are well-developed as well as sophisticated system of symbols with named motifs.

Mandaya women wear blouses called dagum that are uniquely made with cotton which colors are usually associated with black, blue and red. Black blouses are worn by older women and Christianized bailana. Geometric designs fill up their blouses from the back, front and up to the sleeves. This colorful blouse below manifests a strong spirit of Mandaya women.

As you can see, the geometric patterns are evident and made it a Mandaya's by the power of those little beads. Dilating diamond shapes are mostly utilized especially in the chest part that are arranged inside a vertical rectangular shapes by colors red, white, and yellow in beautiful arrangements. With that, translation is evident in the left and right sides of both rectangles where the diamond shapes are arranged vertically and horizontally at the bottom part.

On the other hand, dilation is working amazingly both in the top and bottom centers where some of the diamond shapes become smaller as bigger ones are designed at the middle of each of them. We can also see the dilation of the vertical rectangular shapes where the diamonds are designed. Inside the smaller shape of both rectangles also lies the dilating bigger diamond shapes compared with those placed outside the corner. Such patterns are repeated on the shoulder parts which are more detailed than the chest part as lines are highlighted with alternating colors of yellow, red and white in various angles.

To make it shorter, it possesses multiple frieze motifs such as those small details with a red background on the textile, which exhibit the seventh frieze group containing translation, horizontal and vertical reflection, and a hundred eighty degree rotational symmetry.

Furthermore, the skirt above is called dagmay which was said to be legendary. Made with abaca and ornamented with handmade accessories, dagmay is their most prominent material culture. Its geometric designs of man and crocodile are meaningful as these showcase the beliefs, historical narrative and aspirations of Mandaya people. The fibers toughness in addition was proven by their legend, making its weavers not just literally dreamers but also figuratively speaking.

The alternation of tiny congruent triangles sharing the same vertex on the garment's placket and collar regions are explicit in Dagum just like in Dagmay. This shows the fifth frieze group as it possesses translation and 2-fold rotation.

That's it! My sincerest apology for my absence in your articles recently because of some personal matters aside from my update last night. Will try to catch up with y'all soon and I hope you're having a great day.

Thanks. Owe you big time! ♡