FOUND: A Source Culture For Ipil-ipil [apple] Seed Necklaces

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Via the Internet we now have clear evidence that:

• Ipil-ipil trees can be found anywhere in The Philippines – but Palawan is a key area where cultural production using these seeds occurs today;
  
• The ipil-ipil tree is used as to control soil erosion;
  
• The seeds are known to have medicinal properties as well – the young seeds which is green color;
  
• The matured seeds – dried thus, turned brown – are being made into bags, bracelets, chokers, necklaces and anklets;
• Ipil-ipil trees can be found in the urban and rural areas in the Philippines.
  

Our correspondent tells us "when we were kids we used to play with these seeds. We ate it raw – young seeds – as it is good for Detoxification of toxins ... The products are made by the tagbanuas, an indigenous tribe in Palawan (Southern Luzon) ... the tree can be used as Lumber as well ... The main issue [for the tagbanuas] is to reclaim their ancestral domain ... The tagbanuas also make bracelets, or body accessories out of other seeds of other Philippine trees. But they don't cut the trees just to gather the seeds."

TAGBANUA: Tagbanua are considered as the most widely distributed ethnic group in the Palawan Island. This people can be found living in coastal or near coastal areas of the island - some near the Palawan's river systems. They mainly plant rice for its ritual significance as well as camote, corn, taro, millet and cassava. The Tagbanua are famous for their beautifully crafted body accessories. Their combs, bracelets, necklaces and anklets are usually made of wood, beads, brass and copper. This group is also known for their expertise in basket weaving and wood carving.

The Tagbanuas are brown-skinned slim straight-haired ethnic group. Women wear bright body ornament and brighty colored clothes. They believe in a fairy called "Diwata", which they account for they lives. Marriages are arranged from the age of 12 and polyandry is common. Women with several husbands are considered to be in demand, thus, worthy of high dowries. Both the Tagbanuas and the Bataks developed their own written language like the Mangyans of Mindoros that are inscribed mostly on bamboo tubes. Click Here for More Information

Our correspondent belongs to an organisation fostering 'Fair Trade' and sustainable development in The Philippines. So there is now a good base to work from in understanding these necklaces understood as "apple seed necklaces" in Tasmania much better.

It is a story that is full of irony but nonetheless it is a very rich one.

IPIL [APPLE] SEED BRACELET IN THE USA

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This item is almost certainly made from ipil-ipil seeds and other tropical seeds available in The Philippines

More information from the seller: I acquired the bracelet and quite a few Appleseed necklaces through a local antique shop. I don't know much about them except that the gentleman I buy them from buys from a lot of estate sales. I have plenty of Appleseed
necklaces but have never come across a bracelet before.

IPIL [APPLE] SEED NECLACES IN THE PHILIPPINES NOW

PHP100 = $3.50 (Approx) and to have such a necklace restrung in Australia consistent with the stringing pattern here would easily exceed $100. Most people would choose not pay that in comparison to what else $100 would buy them.

It is worth considering what PHP100 would buy in The Philippines. Today it would buy:half a chicken, 5 kebabs, 250 gms of prawns, 1 mud crab, 2 grandies (beer), 2 flasks of rum, 2 ice creams, sari sari meal, half a kilo of rice, a cup coffee & cake, 2 shapou (buns), a worker for a good part of a day, a 10K taxi fare, a ticket to a film show and 10 cokes.

TASRN is looking at ways it might find the makers of ipil seed necklaces in The Philippines in order to find out some of the histories linked to this work. We are working with people with connections and organisations such as World Vision, The Preda Foundation & People's Global Exchange Philippines, Filipinos in Tasmania and Queensland as well as people in the arts community with Filipino connections. We would also like to hear from people who have connections to The Philippines and/or who might have some information about this area of cultural production!

WATCH THIS SPACE

IPIL OR APPLE SEEDS ON eBAY 03.04.09

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When the seller was asked for more information about this "Vintage? Necklace Apple Seed Long Strand" she said, "I have nothing. That's why there's no info in the listing. LOL. I have a friend who's a Realtor. she is selling a house for the children of a woman who passed away. The kids gave the Realtor 14 tubs of jewelry. This was in it. Sorry I don't have more." ... A familiar story.