We at Tiki Totes & Bags believe that the rustic quality of our bags is an essential part of their appeal. We support home-based family businesses in the Philippines by using handmade and homespun material. Raw plant materials are processed in local villages, most of the weaving is homespun, and some pieces are sewn in homes. The final process of assembling bags is done in family-run workshops. None of our products are made in large urban factories.
Hand processed natural fibers have variations of thickness and color. Additional processing may improve texture but weakens the fiber. Instead, we accept natural beauty and find weaves that are enhanced by these organic qualities. Some fibers do not absorb dye with consistency, so some are left natural, dyed very dark, or allowed to change colors over time.
Using a slightly damp towel, gently pat the area to be cleaned. Oils, cleaning agents and detergents may damage the fibers. Direct or prolonged sunlight exposure may cause the fibers to fade or crack.
We use many natural materials and fibers to produce the distinctive looks of the Tiki Totes & Bags collection. Below is a list of material names and descriptions.
Abaca (ah bach ah) This fiber, also called Manila hemp, comes from stalks of banana relative, and isn’t hemp at all. It is valued for its natural look and absorbs dye unevenly. Hand-woven Kenya style bags have a one-centimeter tolerance (+/-) in size.
Bacbac The strips of abaca bark are softened to produce bacbac. It is used in basket making in the Philippines
Bamboo An incredibly versatile material, strips of the stalks are plaited, framed or ribbed in basket-style bags. Bamboo absorbs dye unevenly, and because it is usually completely hand-woven, there is a one-centimeter tolerance (+/-) in size.
Bancuang This sturdy material comes from harvested and dried cogon (or imperiata) grass. Only a natural color or brown is recommended since it dyes unevenly. It is hand woven, so it has a one-centimeter tolerance (+/-) in size.
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Buntal is made from the large stems between the trunk and leaf of the Corypha palm. Desirable because it is a long, tough fiber, it was originally used instead of bamboo in hand woven hats, bags and mats. Today it can be woven on looms into a very attractive and durable cloth.
Jute (also called saluyot) Jute was used for rope in ancient times. Today, the use of it in fabric is called burlap. It was the Biblical “sackcloth.” Strong and durable, but dyes unevenly.
Lupiz The skin of abaca is treated to produce lupiz, which is then hand woven. It also has a varying absorption of dye, and bags made from this fiber have a one-centimeter tolerance (+/-) in size.
Nito Forest Vine This thin-stemmed vine grows widely in the Philippines. Its outer skin is usually woven without curing or drying. Its natural colors vary from green to light brown to black.
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Raffia (also spelled raphia) It is obtained from the pinnate-leaved raffia palm tree. The leafstalks are used to make strong fibers commonly found in items such as hats, baskets and mats.
Rattan Also called cane, this palm family vine climbs into the sky by twisting itself around trees of the jungle canopy to flower and drop seeds. When cut into strips, it is easily bent and holds its shape when dry, so it makes great baskets and furniture.
Ticog This soft, jointless and upright plant stalk grows in the Philippine wetlands. Since it dyes unevenly, it is only used in its natural color. Ticog is commonly used to weave (usually not closely) into twined baskets.
* The buntal, buri and raffia fibers are obtained from the buri palm Corypha elata (Roxb). The palm, reaching heights of twenty to forty meters, has large, rounded, fan-shaped leaves that grow up to three meters in length. Buntal is extracted from the petiole of the leaf, buri is the matured leaf of the palm and raffia is the young shoot or leaf.
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