Traditional Weaving As a Livelihood: A Qualitative Study Of Weavers In Kasibu, Nueva Vizcaya

This study assessed how traditional weaving assists indigenous weavers in Kasibu, Nueva Vizcaya provide a livelihood. It specifically focused on the weavers' demographics, how weaving supports household needs, the challenges they encounter, the social and cultural significance of weaving, and their participation in training and institutional support. The study used semi-structured interviews and open-ended questionnaires to gather data from the selected 12 weavers in Barangay Capisaan and Belet through utilizing a qualitative descriptive research approach. The results showed that most participants’ main source of income is weaving, which also substantially contributes to household expenses and children’s education. However, weavers must contend with challenges such as expensive and limited raw materials, low sales, limited market access, competition from manufactured products, and the need for ongoing skill development. The study discovered that while training and institutional support improve skills and livelihood sustainability, traditional weaving is crucial for maintaining cultural identity, fostering community ties, and transferring weaving knowledge to future generations.