Their traditional clothing is very simple. The young women wear wrap around skirts. Elder women wear bark cloth, while elder men wear loin cloths. The old women of the Agta wear a bark cloth strip which passes between the legs, and is attached to a string around the waist.
Fabric and Materials:
Traditional Aeta clothing is often made from locally sourced materials such as plant fibers, bark cloth, and animal skins. Bark cloth, known as “tapis” or “bahag,” is commonly used for loincloths or skirts. It is made by pounding the inner bark of certain trees and then flattening and drying it into a fabric-like material.
Animal skins, such as deer or wild boar hides, may be used for clothing, especially in colder mountainous regions.
Loincloths and Skirts:
Loincloths, called “bahag” or “wanes,” are traditional garments worn by Aeta men. They are typically wrapped around the waist and secured with a belt or cord. Skirts made from bark cloth or other materials are worn by Aeta women. These skirts may be embellished with decorative elements such as beads, shells, or embroidery.
Accessories:
- Aeta clothing may be accessorized with various items, including belts, sashes, headbands, and jewelry.
- Belts and sashes are often used to secure loincloths or skirts and may feature intricate weaving or decorative patterns.
- Headbands, made from plant fibers or cloth, may serve practical purposes such as keeping hair out of the face or have ceremonial significance.
- Jewelry, such as necklaces, bracelets, and earrings, may be crafted from natural materials like seeds, shells, beads, or animal bones.