Abaniko Fan
by Therese Cerdan
Figure 1 (above). Wooden Abaniko hand fan. UMMAA 17660. This work is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0.
Filipinos probably used this wooden hand fan for more than cooling on a hot Philippine day. The unique petal-shaped, wood pulp ends flare out from carved wooden sticks. These sticks join at its base by a small metal handle and nail. An ornamental pink, green, and cream silk ribbon runs through its body, operating as its folding mechanism. Despite being over 100 years old, this fragile hand fan is still able to open and close, albeit very gently.
This style of abaniko, also called pamaypay by Tagalog speakers in the Philippines, was introduced by the Spanish during the colonization period (1565–1893). Its name takes after the Spanish word abanico, meaning “fan.” Collected in the early 20th century, this fan was likely used by a Filipino woman similar to how abanicos were used for women in Spanish society. These social practices, dubbed “fan language,” sent discrete messages by young women to potential suitors. For example, fluttering the fan over one’s own face would be flirtatious, whereas closing the fan shows disinterest. Because of the abaniko’s connection to Spanish culture, it may have also acted as a status symbol in Philippine society.
Today, abanikos are still used widely by Filipinos in any type of setting to help beat the heat. Although fan language may no longer be used in the same romantic context as in the early 1900s, more embellished fans can still be found in formal social situations, such as church services. Many Filipinos today still buy beautifully decorated fans for their looks as well as for their functionality. This fan is part of the UMMAA collection of Edwin C. Goddard, a former University of Michigan law professor. It is not known when, or if, Goddard traveled to the Philippines. One object tag in this collection indicates that a particular object was “sent to Professor Goddard by friends in 1900.” It is unknown where in the Philippines this specific fan came from, or who may have made or used it. Its flared ends, compared to standard straight-edged fans, are very unique and something we have not seen before.
See this post and read more about the Philippine Collections at UMMAA: https://sites.lsa.umich.edu/ummaa-philippines/2024/08/14/abaniko-fan/
Bibliography
Avila, Maria. “Repositioning the Object: Exploring Prop Use Through the Flamenco Trilogy.” York University, 2020. York Space, http://hdl.handle.net/10315/37724.
“Language of the Fan.” Monchet Y Compania, monchetycia.com/language-of-the-fan/.
Figure 2 (below). Six Filipinas in traditional dress carrying painted fans, Philippines ca. 1920–1940. (Source: Maryknoll Mission Archives, University of Southern California Libraries).
