The Art of Weaving: Traditional Crafts in Bohol

Bohol is famous for the Chocolate Hills and tarsiers, but there’s a whole other side to the province that doesn’t get as much attention. It’s a place where traditional crafts are still alive and well, passed down through generations. We’re talking about weaving — specifically, two main traditions that have been around for over a century: saguran (raffia) weaving and bukag (bamboo) basketry. These aren’t just museum pieces. They’re active industries that support families, especially in the towns of Tubigon, Inabanga, and Antequera. If you’re planning a trip to Bohol and want to see something beyond the usual tourist spots, this is where you should look.

Here’s the thing: saguran weaving is the only surviving textile weaving tradition in the entire Central Visayas region. That’s a big deal. The material comes from the leaf shoots of the buri palm, called buli in Cebuano. The process is labor-intensive — washing, soaking, drying, knotting strips into longer strands, and then weaving them on a wooden upright foot loom called a hagbanan. It’s not a quick souvenir. It’s a craft that takes skill and patience.

What You’ll Find: Saguran Weaving and Bukag Basketry

The saguran tradition is centered in the northwest part of Bohol. The Tubigon Loomweavers Multi-Purpose Cooperative, formed in 1989, has about 60 weavers in the barangays of Pinayagan Sur, Ilijan Norte, and Ilijan Sur. Most of them are women, often wives of fishers, farmers, and vendors. The cooperative produces things like placemats, table runners, and home decor. Then there’s the family-run Tubigon Raffia Gallery, which sells saguran products both locally and internationally.

Over in Antequera, the basketry tradition is just as old. The town is known as the Cottage Industry Capital of Bohol, a title it earned over a century ago. The bukag baskets were originally made for farmers to carry rice seedlings. Over time, they became “market baskets” sold on local market days. The National Cottage Industries Development Authority (NACIDA) helped weavers get training and tools, which opened up foreign markets. But the tradition is under threat now — modernization, fewer raw materials, and less interest from younger people are all challenges.

When to Go and What Changes Your Visit

There’s no bad time to visit these weaving communities, but your experience will be different depending on when you go. The dry season, from November to May, is the most comfortable time to travel around Bohol. Roads are better, and you won’t have to worry about rain ruining a trip to a weaving center. If you’re interested in events, the National Museum of the Philippines Bohol holds programs tied to National Heritage Month in May. In 2025, they ran a program called “Bukag: Exploring the Craft, Heritage, and Sustainability of Boholano Basketry” every Thursday of May. That’s the kind of event where you can see live demonstrations and talk to weavers directly.

One thing to keep in mind: the supply of buri palm materials depends on the farmers who harvest them. The towns supplying the raw materials are Inabanga, Catigbian, Sagbayan, Danao, and Clarin. Farmers have specific knowledge about when and how to cut the shoots — they do it in the mornings, cutting diagonally and facing the sun, to dry the sap and prevent rotting. That’s not something you’ll see on a standard Bohol tour, but it’s part of what makes the craft sustainable.

Getting There and Getting Around

Getting to these weaving towns is straightforward if you’re based in Tagbilaran City, the capital of Bohol. From Tagbilaran, you can take a jeepney or a van to Tubigon, which is about an hour away. Tubigon is a coastal town with a port, so it’s easy to find transport. Inabanga is further northwest, about an hour and a half from Tagbilaran. Antequera is closer — just 20 to 30 minutes northwest of the city.

If you’re driving, the roads are generally good, especially along the main highways. But once you get into the barangays where the weavers live, the roads can be narrow and unpaved. A tricycle or a habal-habal (motorcycle taxi) is your best bet for the last few kilometers. Don’t expect signposts pointing to “weaving center” — you’ll need to ask locals or coordinate with the tourism office.

For the Tubigon Loomweavers Cooperative, you’ll want to head to Barangay Pinayagan Sur. The cooperative has been operating since 1989, so the locals know where it is. If you’re interested in the Tubigon Raffia Gallery, it’s also in Tubigon. They produce and market saguran products, so you can see finished pieces and maybe buy something directly.

What to Actually Do There

Visit the Weaving Centers and Cooperatives

The main thing to do is visit the places where the weaving happens. The Tubigon Loomweavers Multi-Purpose Cooperative is the largest, with about 60 weavers. You can see the looms in action, watch the process from raw fiber to finished product, and buy items like placemats, table runners, and bags. The weavers are usually happy to talk about their work, but remember that this is their livelihood, not a performance. Be respectful of their time.

Check Out the National Museum of the Philippines Bohol

The NMP Bohol, located in the old provincial capitol building in Tagbilaran City, has a permanent exhibit called “Paglawig: The Boholano Way of Life.” It includes a stone bark cloth beater, showing that the earliest clothing in Bohol was made from tree bark. The museum also hosts events like the “Weaving with Pride” program in June 2024, which featured six LGBTQ+ fashion designers and a fashion show using saguran textiles. It’s a good starting point to understand the history before you visit the weaving communities.

Attend a Workshop or Lecture

If you time your visit right, you can join a workshop. The NMP Bohol and local organizations sometimes hold hands-on sessions where you can learn basic weaving techniques. The “Bukag” program in May 2025 included lectures from experts like Jane Maren M. Dasal of the National Museum and Rev. Fr. Agerio Paña, a heritage advocate. These events are announced through the NMP Bohol’s social media or local news, so check ahead.

Shop for Authentic Raffia and Bukag Products

You can buy saguran products directly from the weavers or from the Tubigon Raffia Gallery. Items range from practical baskets and bags to intricate furniture and art pieces. The raffia fiber is sturdy and durable, and it absorbs pastel colors easily, so you’ll find a range of designs. In Antequera, you can look for bukag baskets, though they’re less common now. The local market day, or tabo, is the best time to find them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Plan Your Visit Around the Craft

If you’re heading to Bohol, don’t just stick to the Chocolate Hills and the tarsier sanctuary. The weaving communities in Tubigon, Inabanga, and Antequera offer a real look at how traditional crafts survive and adapt. The best approach is to plan ahead — contact the local tourism office or the National Museum Bohol to see if any workshops or events are happening. Buy something directly from the weavers if you can. It supports the craft and gives you a souvenir with a real story.

If this was useful, you might also want to read our guide to discovering Inabanga’s beauty in Bohol.

Sources

Bohol vs Palawan: The Coastal Paradise Comparison — A side-by-side look at two top Philippine destinations to help you decide where to go next.

Visiting the Valencia Church: Bohol’s Rich History — Another stop for travelers interested in Bohol’s cultural heritage beyond the beaches.

Old Saguran in New Styles. Tribune.net.ph, 2024.

Samar Educator Submits Raffia Research to British Institution. Philstar, 2024.

Preserving Bukag: Celebrating Boholano Basketry in Antequera. Philstar, 2025.

Bohol Designers and Raffia Weaving. Vogue Philippines, 2024.