“THE lost culture of our forefathers has been revived,” mused, in Hiligaynon, Ati community member Teresita Sinceda of Sitio Marikudo, Isabela, Negros Occidental during a recent forum held to kick off the National Indigenous People’s (IP) Month celebration in Iloilo.
Sinceda, in her account, was referring to the revival of the “Kupoy,” a traditional chicken courtship dance ritual of Western Visayan aeta settlements. Before her turn to speak, two students of the IP group’s School of Living Tradition had performed the graceful dance.
“I’m so thankful the program of the NCCA has reached us,” she continued.
The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) recently held its Dayaw Suroy Media Caravan in collaboration with the Philippine Information Agency Region VI in Iloilo City as part of the National Indigenous People’s Month celebration this October.
Rooted on the Cebuano term for “to stroll,” Dayaw Suroy visited key cities to promote this year’s IP Month festivities, commemorated with the theme “Vital Wisdoms: Learning with the Indigenous Peoples (Buhay na Dunong: Pagkatuto kasama ang mga Katutubo).” In Luzon, the program visited San Fernando City, Pampanga and Baguio City; Iloilo and Bacolod City in Visayas; and in Mindanao Davao City and Zamboanga City.
The other guests during the Dayaw Suroy caravan held in Iloilo were Atty. Gerri Ann Villaruel, vice head of the Committee on Central Cultural Communities under the Sub-Commission on Cultural Communities and Traditional Arts, an IP advocate of Panay Bukidnon descent, as well as Felicitas Catedrilla, representing the Ati of Capiz/Iloilo/Guimaras cluster; Jacquilyn Flores, Ati of Negros Occidental Cluster; and Delia Pauden of Ati of Antique/Aklan Cluster.
“Vital Wisdoms” are manifested in the indigenous people’s intangible cultural heritage, which includes oral traditions, languages, rituals and practices, knowledge systems, and even craftsmanship – these five enumerated as the five main domains according to UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization).
Rather than adopting the notion of “learning from,” which conjures up “unidirectionality and exotic others” spins, the theme espouses “learning with,” which marks learning as a social relational process. At the same time, it considers the diverse positionalities and agendas among stakeholders, may they be IPs or non-IPs, involved with the Philippines’ Intangible Cultural Heritage.
By virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 1906, signed in 2009, October is to be celebrated annually as National IP Month, to promote the rights of the indigenous peoples – as well as preserve their rich customs as part of the life of the nation. The NCCA takes the lead in advocating and championing the country’s indigenous peoples, highlighting the richness of their cultural communities and native traditions./PN
