Almanis Madjidul
Tausug people
Born 1988, The Philippines
Lives and works in Kajatian, Indanan, Sulu Province, The Philippines
Radzimir Hailil Madjidul
Tausug people
Born 1987, The Philippines
Lives and works in Kajatian, Indanan, Sulu Province, The Philippines
Shaidalyn Jadi Zaldy
Tausug people
Born 1999, The Philippines
Lives and works in Lumbaan Mahaba, Parang, Sulu Province, The Philippines

Almanis and Radzimir Madjidul, along with Shaidalyn Zaldy, are Tausug artists from Sulu, a province in the Sulu Archipelago that forms part of the broader Mindanao region. They are known for their Habul Tyahian, intricately hand-embroidered fabrics that incorporate motifs reflecting their cultural and religious beliefs. These textiles are often created collaboratively, as the meticulous embroidery process demands significant time and effort. Habul Tyahian feature vibrant satin backgrounds adorned with continuous, linear patterns of three or five lines, brought to life through the ukkil — a distinct visual language characterised by flowing, organic forms with its own rules and symbolism. Common motifs include the kayapo (lotus), nayaga (dragons or serpents), sulam (leaves), and bagun-bagun (vines). The kayapo, considered sacred, symbolises a connection to the divine, while the peacock — featured in Almanis’s design — is traditionally associated with weddings and festivity.

For the Triennial, the three artists collaborated on Habul tyahian with a richly embroidered bagun-bagun (vine) motif set against a striking violet satin background. While collaboration is a longstanding tradition in creating these textiles, the participation of men, such as Almanis’s husband Radzimir, represents a recent and evolving practice.

Return to Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago: Roots and Currents