Friday, February 19, 2016

Manobo Belts

Binulan-bulan, a decorative belt for men

This belt, worn by Manobo women on special occasions, is part-ornament part-musical instrument. Each of the tiny brass balls is hollow and contains a tinier ball inside. The bells chime when the wearer of the belt walks and dances.

Brass is expensive for the Manobos, so many of the women make do with belts that are made of beads and have a few brass bells only. The beaded belts, nonetheless, are beautiful on their own.

(Blogger's note: This post is part of a series on items that the Dulangan Manobo people traditionally use in their daily lives. Special thanks to the RNDM nuns assigned in Kulaman Plateau. For more information about the series, read my introductory post or click the label Delesan Menubo below.)

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