The Kalinga
costumes for males and females are simple but colorful; a mixture of red,
green, and yellow colors.
During the past, male costume is composed of only
one piece, the “bahag” G-string.
What
is the G–string?
The G-string
is a one-piece of long short-width rectangular woven clothing made of colorful
threads. It is at least 12- 20 feet, depending upon the person’s waist and
size.
The G-string
can be worn as an upside down necktie, only you have to cover the anus and
groin before you tie the knot.
What
is a ginamat?
For females, the “tapis” wide woven rectangular clothing
is simply tied at the waist is the Kalinga
costumes. To cover the lower portion of a woman’s body. In the olden days, men
and women were topless.
For children, no clothes are necessary for them, or strips
of ginamat were used. Nakedness was
not considered rude or indecent.
Nowadays, Kalinga
men and women wear city clothing. Only the elderly wear G-strings and tapis
or ginamat. The ethnic Kalinga costumes
are used only during fiestas and celebrations.