On this loom the woman produces head-bands, belt, and narrow strips of cloth which are made up into blankets and the like.  These fabrics are often in several colors and exhibit many tasty and intricate designs, some of which will be described in the chapter on Decorative Art.

Manufacture of Rope and String.—­At least eighteen trees, shrubs, and vines are used in the making of cordage. [240] When small trees or limbs are used, and the bark does not adhere too tightly to the wood, sections about an arm’s length are cut, and two or four splices are made at the top.  These are loosened with a knife until there is enough for the hand to grasp, when the bark can be turned back like a glove.  Very large sections are held by two men, while a third peels off the bark.  With some varieties of trees and shrubs it is found best to place the sections in the sun to dry, then a sharp bend in the stalk causes the bark to separate from the wood so that it is easily peeled off.

When large trees are used, the bark is slit lengthwise every six of eight inches, and the log is beaten with hard wood sticks.  In a short time the covering loosens from the wood and is pulled off.  The outside layer is worthless, but the remainder is cut into strips about a half inch in width, and is then split lengthwise into thin layers.

In rope-making three strips are laid side by side on the thigh or on a board, but with their ends at unequal distances (Fig. 17, No. 1).  These are twisted together, toward the right, until a few inches have been turned, then the cord is put over one end of a double forked stick (sikwan), leaving an equal length on either side (Fig. 17, No. 3).  The two halves are twisted together until the end of one strip of bark is reached; a new piece is laid on top of the others, and as they are turned, it becomes part of the twist.  As other ends are met with, new strips are added in a like manner until all the bast desired has been made.  It is then wound up on the forked stick until needed.

The rope machine (agtatalian) consists of three wooden whirls, which constitute the forming device, and a single whirl for the traveler, while a grooved block serves to keep the strands apart (Fig. 17, No. 2).  Three equal lengths of the prepared bast are measured, and an end is attached to each of the whirls of the forming machine (Fig. 17, No. 2a).  However, only one cut is made in the bast, for strand 3.  All are attached to the single whirl of the traveler, and the process begins.  The operator at each end turns his whirl, or set of whirls, rapidly toward the right, the one with the traveler bracing his foot against the lower end, to keep the twisting bast under tension.  A third operator guides the grooved piece of wood from the traveler toward the forming machine, as the three strands twist round each other into rope.  The bast is known as ginisgis, the rope as tali.

Vines, rattan, and strips of bamboo are likewise twisted together to form crude, but strong cordage.