Philippine Itneg Tribe

The itneg / tinguians

The Tinguians "the people of the mountains" originally referred to all mountain dwelling people. Nowadays, it particularly refers to a cultural minority group living in the mountains of Abra and named Itneg.

The Tinguian culture dates back to pre-Spanish times but in spite of strong external forces negatively affecting their customs, they continue to practice their ethnic traditions.

In 1959, at the Tinguian village in Abra, tribal elder Norma Mina Agaid embroidered on abel fabric the story of their folk myths - including Pinaing, the goddess of weaving who introduced through dreams the weaving patterns called the pinilian as well as binakol, and the embroidery style called kinamay to the Tinguian women - preserving the Tinguian culture and traditions.