Sininga

History
The people of Sininga originated from the north of Kandaya as a small nomadic group composed mostly of crafters and tradespeople. They were particularly known for having skilled weavers and dyers among their number. Traveling allowed them to find new sources for vibrant and colorful dyes, and the skill and variety of their trades made them a welcome group among many settlements. Over the years their numbers grew as people joined to learn the secrets of their master crafters and hone their talents. Some would leave when their skills had been sharpened; others chose to stay.

After generations, the routes they travelled and the places they visited would become routine and Likha, a skilled textile crafter, began to grow restless. Where the Siningan people had once explored the island in search of new villages, materials, and techniques, she felt they had stagnated in their craft as the generations had passed. Precious knowledge and techniques had been passed down, but had barely improved, lacking the sparks of innovation that her mother and grandmother had once described.

At this time, the southern shores of Kandaya had not been widely explored. This was a calling to Likha, who dreamed of finding new sources for her dyes to create colours more vivid than anyone had seen. She split away from the main Siningan group, along with half a dozen others who also shared her feelings and took to exploring south of the island. It wasn’t until they reached the mangrove forest that Likha discovered something which would elevate her craft. While the exploration had yielded new plants which produced beautiful shades of colour, it was the discovery of an island just off the coast which was the most exciting. Likha and her group made a small settlement just inland from the mangrove forests in preparation for exploring the new island they had sighted. When they travelled the narrow strait that separates mainland Kandaya from the island that would later be named Timogtalon, they found the smaller island consisted of a sprawling and ancient mangrove forest which was decaying.

The slit that rested at the roots of the dead trees was unlike anything she had seen on Kandaya. With many dyeing practices using mud as a mordent to bind dye to fabric, she collected some of the soft soil from Timogtalon and took it back to the mainland. She discovered that using it as part of her technique helped produce colours brighter than she had ever seen. The soil, rich in minerals from the sea and from the years of decaying mangroves, produced a mud which allowed for a new range of vibrancy when used with existing dye sources. Likha decided to give the settlement a name reminiscent of their ancestors: Sininga.

In the north of Kandaya, most of what had remained of the original group had slowly faded, eventually being absorbed into other settlements. Many believed that the Siningan people had ceased to exist. It was not until a particularly damaging Habagat forced the people of the Sininga settlement inland that northern Kandaya was made aware that the group still existed. Bringing with them the textiles and wears that they had produced, people came from all over northern Kandaya to see the new vibrant colours and patterns that had been woven. The Siningan people had traded nearly all of what they had brought with them; enough that when Habagat passed, they had resources to build back their homes in the south. This event would bring Sininga back to its nomadic roots, with the settlement moving inland during Habagat to host a dagiya to sell their wares. Year after year, the dagiya would become more popular. Though their settlement in the south was now permanent and established, it fuelled many to continue exploring the island in search of further innovation.

Important Figures
Datu Habai. Habai is Sininga’s datu and chief master crafter. They can trace their bloodline back to Likha, the founder of Sininga. A skilled weaver and dyer, they continue to use the techniques that have been passed down through generations to create textiles of incredible quality. Habai is also driven, like many who have held the title of Datu, continuing to hone their craft. Their wares are sought after at the dagiya, both for their quality and their rareness. Habai is known to only create a few pieces each season, each one more intricate than the last. Habai is well loved by the Siningan people and is described as a driven individual who is wise beyond their young years.

Babaylan Lupaya. Babaylan Lupaya is a well respected part of the community. Not only is he a master in woodcraft, but he also serves to ensure that Sininga stays connected to the spirits of the earth and their ancestors. Lupaya is an older halfling man with greying hair, but is surprisingly nimble for his age. He too has deep ancestral roots in the history of Sininga, and seeks to discover how far that lineage goes.

Matuka. This gnomish woman was inspired as a young girl by the stories told about Likha and their drive for innovation. While Matuka is no master in any one craft, she possesses competent skill in many: from woodwork, to weaving, and even metal work. Her fascination came to a head when she was old enough to begin traveling on her own. She sought the permission of Datu Habai to conduct journeys around the south of Kandaya, following in Likha’s footsteps. She had heard stories of rare materials deep in the southeast of the island, but Babaylan Lupaya warned that the spirits that protect the area may look unfavourably on her exploration.

Landmarks
The Docks of Sininga. While most of the settlement isn’t directly along the coast, the docks that creep out from the mangrove forests of the shore are a familiar sight to anyone who travels along Kandaya’s margin. The docks are decorated in vibrant colours and are used to aid in the transport of materials from the island of Timogtalon. Both small fishing vessels and larger trading boats can be docked here, with those belonging to Sininga sporting bright coloured sails and exquisite craftsmanship. Though the docks are often damaged during the storms, they are built to be easy to repair. Due to this, people often report the docks shifting by a few hundred meters between seasons, where they are rebuilt in new locations after suffering severe damage.

Likha’s Shrine. This sacred site is the burial place of Likha: the first to bring a group of Sinigan people to settle in the south. Her remains are buried in a finely crafted chest, decorated with the patterns which she so famously wove. Trinkets are often left in her memory and the trees are draped with vibrant fabrics looped in their branches in order to bring her spirit joy. The site of the shrine is at the most inland point of the settlement in order to protect it from flooding during Habagat. It is said that in times of peril or struggle, her spirit manifests here and offers advice to the Babaylan or Datu of the settlement