Tausug Sash

Sourced from the heart of Jolo through the coordination of culture bearer Julmina Jurri, this Tausug sash—also known as a kandit—is a woven piece and an emblem of heritage. Traditionally handwoven or intricately embroidered, the kandit is tied around the waist to hold the sawwal kuput (traditional pants) in place. It’s a functional piece, but also deeply symbolic—anchoring both garment and identity.

Though I’ve never been to Jolo myself, I met Julmina at a HABI conference in Manila a few years ago. The cultural stories she shared were vivid and powerful—echoes of a life shaped by tide, tradition, and kinship. Her voice, full of pride and care, continues to inspire me, and I look forward to the day we meet again in her homeland.

The Tausug, known as the “people of the current,” are seafarers and cultural bearers whose lives are deeply tied to motion—whether through the ocean or through Pangalay, the fluid dance form seen in many Filipino folk groups across the diaspora. Their communities are marked by fierce loyalty, deep family honor, and a readiness to protect what they love.

Daily life in Jolo revolves around fishing, farming, and trade. Crops like rice, cassava, corn, yams, and coconuts shape both sustenance and design—visible in the textile patterns and embroidery that adorn pieces like this sash.

Complementary to the kandit is the pis siabit, a handwoven square often tied around the head or draped over the shoulder—another symbol of Tausug identity and artistry.

This Tausug sash is adaptable—wear it as a belt, sash, or creative adornment. However you choose to style it, know that you’re carrying a living story of resistance, movement, and ancestral pride.

Dimensions: 60 x 10 inches