To complement our KINDOM styles made with indigenous textiles (or any other item in your wardrobe), we are proud to partner with an indigenous & woman-owned weaving business to exclusively bring you these wonderful *hand-made* reusable masks by the Yakan tribe of the Southern Philippines.

The Yakan indigenous community live primarily on Basilan Island where their people are originally from, but they also have settlements on Sacol, Malanipa, and Tumalutab islands, all off the southern tip of the Zamboanga Peninsula, in the southern Philippines. Smaller groups of Yakan live elsewhere in the Philippines — particularly on the island of Mindanao — as well as in Sabah, East Malaysia.

Yakan women are especially recognized for their skill in weaving. Their colourful fabrics have long-figured in local rituals. Yakan weaving uses vibrant, bold, and often contrasting colors, in symmetrical patterns. The inspiration for designs comes from the natural environment and sacred geometry. Unfortunately, the knowledge of ancient weaving practices has dwindled, losing valuable indigenous cultural knowledge. By supporting their efforts to keep what ancestral practices left they have alive, we are ensuring that these traditions are kept alive.

Interesting fact - Yakan music is largely percussion-dominated. Music is also played toward the growing rice in hopes of "making it happy." The Yakan believe that this will help them have a bountiful harvest. Two types of xylophones are played in the rice fields, if not for personal entertainment, then to frighten pests or to entertain the ripening crop. In a 2009 study performed by the Royal Horticultural Society in the United Kingdom, researchers discovered that talking to your plants really can help them grow faster (also with the sound of a female voice than to the sound of a male voice). What we are finding out today with science, the Yakan knew for generations!

Protect others by protecting yourself, and what better way to do than supporting indigenous people and their ancestral crafts at the same time? Thank you for helping us support the indigenous tribes, who make up 6% of the global population, but take care of 80% of the world's biodiversity.

• Adult reusable personal protective mask, not medical grade, for personal use only

• Masks have elasticized ear straps to ensure comfortable fit, with an internal filter pocket (filters not included)

• Cotton/polyester Yakan handwoven textile

• Made in the Philippines by indigenous tribal artisans

• Gentle hand wash cold & hang dry or dry flat

• Fit & sizing. While head & face shapes vary, these masks are handwoven & not a stretchy knit (per the CDC, woven fabrics are more effective), so there will be slight variances.