Puni Leaf Weaving Lessons

Nacho reminded me about the little fish made of leaves that he saw a little boy take home the day before.  He wanted one, and I told him we'd find someone who could make one today.

Kuya Junito, the very quiet lifeguard, knew how.  First, he got some coconut leaves from the dwarf coconut tree. 

 Then, under Nacho's watchful eye, started weaving the leaves...

It's started to look like a...

...FISH! 

 He quickly began weaving another one...

Nacho squealed when he saw this one!

Then, a pinwheel! But Nacho was not impressed, as it would not go with the soft breeze.

Without saying a word, Kuya Junito worked on one more. It took him much longer than the previous ones.  Nacho was starting to get sleepy, but was determined to make sure Kuya Junito was doing it right.

Finally!  A tiny baby turtle! 

Nacho brought them everywhere --- to the beach, under the tables, under the bed, into the bushes, and even pretended to fly them like they were kites. But he insisted that the pinwheel was a starfish.

He played with all four of them for several days until they turned brown and the weaving came undone. 

"Thank you, Kuya Junito!"
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The Birdwatchers Club, in August 2009, sponsored a Puni workshop at the National Museum.

 

Let's help keep this art form alive! Puni De Malolos a group dedicated to the art, is attempting to revive and propagate Puni weaving as a true Filipino art form.  Support the craft and save the environment by choosing puni products instead of other non-biodegradable materials.  Visit them at http://punidemalolos.multiply.com/journal.