Virtual Zoom Lecture: Saturday, January 9, 2021 - 11 a.m. Pacific Time, "Woven Dreams from Sacred Mountains: Textile Traditions of the Tboli & Blaan of Mindanao" with Craig Diamond, Independent Researcher and Collector, Los Angeles Co-sponsored by Textile Museum Associates of Southern California, Inc. & Ethnic Arts Council, La. Register: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/9816085037655/WN_rFUHNI8mSMOQP4RkVmGNog An extremely wide variety of ancient and fascinating peoples can be found on the southernmost island of Mindanao, in The Philippines.  The Tboli and Blaan people of the province of South Cotabato offer some of the most beautiful, skillful and sacred examples of material culture to be found throughout Island Southeast Asia, and indeed the world. Here, the Tboli people have nurtured and preserved their deeply artistic culture.  The weaving of the abaca ikat fabric known as tnalak has become synonymous with the Tboli, as has their intricate beadwork, embroidery and brasswork –much of which can be found richly decorating the wide array of stunning Tboli garments. To the east, across the Koronadal Valley stands majestic and hallowed Mt. Matutum, whose vast foothills create the steep slopes and deep ravines which are home to the Blaan.  Sister tribe to the Tboli, the Blaan weave their own treasured and rare abaca ikat cloth known as tabih.  Often identified as the most skilled embroiderers in all of the Philippines, their spectacular heirloom garments can also be found adorned with impressive patterns of hand-hewn mother of pearl beads. Craig Diamond’s presentation will explore the ikat weaving traditions of both the Tboli and Blaan as well as identify and discuss the various impressive garments worn by both the men and women of these tribes.  Craig Diamond holds a bs degree in Marketing from West Chester University in West Chester, pa, and his career has been focused in the areas of finance and investments.  He is a private collector, researcher and friend of the Tboli and Blaan.  Craig first encountered the Tboli and Blaan in 1984 while living for one year in Koronadal, South Cotabato as a Rotary Exchange Student.  Over the years he has amassed a large collection of early arts and artifacts from the region while also promoting and patronizing the amazingly talented artisans of today. This program is free to attend, but Registration is required to obtain a log-in link. To Register: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/9816085037655/WN_rFUHNI8mSMOQP4RkVmGNog For more information: info@tmasc.org, Or https://www.facebook.com/tmascinc/