sabunlamann
Sabunlamann is a traditional craft and social practice from the coastal communities of the Sabun Archipelago. It encompasses both the making of ceremonial soaps and the guild-like network of artisans who sustain the craft. The name combines sabun, the local word for soap, with lamann, meaning master or craftsman, signaling a shared identity among practitioners.
Historically, sabunlamann arose within maritime trading networks during the 17th and 18th centuries, shaped by contact
Traditional techniques emphasize cold-process soapmaking using natural oils such as coconut and olive, with lye derived
Culturally, sabunlamann structures social roles around apprentices, journeymen, and elders who preserve guild rules and transmission
Today, sabunlamann faces competition from mass-produced soaps, but preservation programs and cultural organizations support training, documentation,