This site is about the Province of Kalinga, Philippines; the Kalinga people's culture, customs, dances, songs and many more. Read about various interesting stories of the Kalinga people.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Friday, July 2, 2010
Indigenous People of the Cordilleras: How Are They Treated?
The Cordillera region includes the provinces of Kalinga- Apayao, Bontoc, Ifugao and Benguet. In the old days, indigenous people had difficulty adapting to the urban life and are therefore treated as naive and ignorant by people in the cities. Oftentimes, they are employed as household help, laborers or gofers.
This changed however when more and more natives earned proper education from the neighboring towns. Alongside with this, progress came through accessible roads and establishment of more educational facilities.
The construction of roads led to an increased exchange of commercial products and also more interaction between villages and towns. Natives learned more of the city life and had brought this knowledge home with them.
The proper education had allowed their active participation in a more national scope. At present, there are popular and famous natives who occupy key positions in local and national government. One can no longer differentiate accurately a native from the city dwellers. Those who still think of indigenous people as ignorant and naive are frowned upon.
Although the physical features are one indication that the person is from the indigenous tribes, this does not indicate that the native is less intelligent. At times, they're even more gifted than their city counterparts.Generally, the Kalinga-Apayaos are usually tall, lanky and dark; the Benguets - sturdy and fair-skinned; the Ifugaos - darker and smaller in built.
The towns and villages also became populated with city people as intermarriages occurred. The children have now inherited both genes and are a new generation of people. The thin line between the indigenous tribes and the people from the lowlands had finally merged into a unique entity.
These children borne of these types of marriages have lost some of the physical traits of their forefathers. You would never guess that a person has a native blood unless he/she reveals it.
Today, indigenous tribes are treated with respect and dignity. They are looked up to in several categories. In fact, even educational institutions recognize the brilliance of the brains of the indigenous tribes. One very good example is St Louis University in Baguio City, which is now considered a center for academic excellence, even better than most schools in the National Capitol Region (NCR). The school has produced graduates who had made it to the top ten of their specific professional licensure examinations.
Although Baguio City is no longer officially a part of Benguet Province, it is still an active participant of the Cordillera's affairs and will continue to be considered its prime city.
The Cordillera indigenous people have come a long way and are now considered as productive members of the Filipino society.
This changed however when more and more natives earned proper education from the neighboring towns. Alongside with this, progress came through accessible roads and establishment of more educational facilities.
The construction of roads led to an increased exchange of commercial products and also more interaction between villages and towns. Natives learned more of the city life and had brought this knowledge home with them.
The proper education had allowed their active participation in a more national scope. At present, there are popular and famous natives who occupy key positions in local and national government. One can no longer differentiate accurately a native from the city dwellers. Those who still think of indigenous people as ignorant and naive are frowned upon.
Although the physical features are one indication that the person is from the indigenous tribes, this does not indicate that the native is less intelligent. At times, they're even more gifted than their city counterparts.Generally, the Kalinga-Apayaos are usually tall, lanky and dark; the Benguets - sturdy and fair-skinned; the Ifugaos - darker and smaller in built.
The towns and villages also became populated with city people as intermarriages occurred. The children have now inherited both genes and are a new generation of people. The thin line between the indigenous tribes and the people from the lowlands had finally merged into a unique entity.
These children borne of these types of marriages have lost some of the physical traits of their forefathers. You would never guess that a person has a native blood unless he/she reveals it.
Today, indigenous tribes are treated with respect and dignity. They are looked up to in several categories. In fact, even educational institutions recognize the brilliance of the brains of the indigenous tribes. One very good example is St Louis University in Baguio City, which is now considered a center for academic excellence, even better than most schools in the National Capitol Region (NCR). The school has produced graduates who had made it to the top ten of their specific professional licensure examinations.
Although Baguio City is no longer officially a part of Benguet Province, it is still an active participant of the Cordillera's affairs and will continue to be considered its prime city.
The Cordillera indigenous people have come a long way and are now considered as productive members of the Filipino society.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Kalingas in Baguio City, Philippines
Kalingas went to Baguio for the Panagbenga Festival and they won the Street Dance Contest. After the dance, however, I can no longer identify them as they went back to wearing the street clothes of city people. I was more impressed seeing them in our native costumes. The colorful ginamat and ba-ag looked stunning in their semi-naked bodies. I should have taken a picture of them, but my cam decided to bogged down on that particular time. Next time perhaps.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
How the Native Kalinga Maintains Peace
Up to this day, the bodong still plays an important role in the lives of Kalingas.
In the province of Kalinga one of the provinces in the Cordillera Autonomous Region of Northern Luzon, Philippines, the tribes are bound or beholden to each other by a system called the "bodong" (peace pact).
The bodong is similar to the international treaties, in that it has provisions, constitutions, and by-laws that include, territory, people and government which are covered by the terms and conditions of the "bodong".
The provisions also include the following: care, assistance, protection, as well as imposing penalty on cases of violation of these provisions. The "bodong" protects people and visitors from both tribes, especially in emergencies.
The system has an oral constitution and by laws which is called "pagta" (oral statement of the terms and conditions, manner , limitations, ways and means in business, in emergencies in the relationship of all persons within the territories of both agreeing tribes). The penal code is orally given for specific violations. When a problem arises, the leaders of both tribes would convene and would recall the "pagta's" oral provisions relative to the case at bar; and then and there, solve the existing problem.
The bodong is usually established when an individual member of a tribe or barrio has a business relationship with another person from the other tribe. This is a specific example: Mr. Suma-il of Barrio Taloctoc, Tanudan living on the eastern slope of Mt Patokan bought a carabao from Mr. Dumawig of Tanglag, Lubuagan. Dumawig then will barter goods also - a coconut for a cup of beans, etc. - this is called "abbuyog' (sharing).
From there the relationship intensifies; Suma-il now sends a spear or javelin to Dumawig. Dumawig in turn sends a bolo (big knife). This is called "allasio" (the beginning of the peace pact). The People involved may or may not retain the original partners but in most cases, the people retain the original partners out of respect.
During the celebration of the "allasio", the parties may discuss the arrangement for the "inum" the preliminary celebration of the bodong.
When the "inum" is celebrated the discussion on the permanent pact holders may be brought out for deliberation. This maybe the original people involved or their nearest next of kin.
The final selection will be based on the required qualifications of the peace pact holder.
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Friday, May 21, 2010
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
The Kalinga Man and His Clothes
If during the olden times, we can readily recognize a native Kalinga because of his/her costume, nowadays, you can never tell if a person is a Kalinga native or not. If he/she speaks the language , then , you can. But if he /she speaks perfect English and dresses formally, there is no way you can identify him/her.
The Kalingans had acquired urban styles, clothing and speech. There are many inter-tribal marriages that brought forth, beautiful and wonderful people. There are also marriages between the urban or city folk with the natives.
Nowadays, pure Kalinga natives belonging to one tribe exist rarely. Connecting roads and the role of education had broadened the scope of the tribal Kalingan.
Proud of his culture, here is Rene, a Kalinga professional in his native costume. He wears polo shirt to work or coat and tie, but is still proud to wear his Kalinga costume as well. Bravo!
The Kalingans had acquired urban styles, clothing and speech. There are many inter-tribal marriages that brought forth, beautiful and wonderful people. There are also marriages between the urban or city folk with the natives.
Nowadays, pure Kalinga natives belonging to one tribe exist rarely. Connecting roads and the role of education had broadened the scope of the tribal Kalingan.
Proud of his culture, here is Rene, a Kalinga professional in his native costume. He wears polo shirt to work or coat and tie, but is still proud to wear his Kalinga costume as well. Bravo!
Thursday, April 29, 2010
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