Ancestral Ties, Heritage Rise

The Republic of the Philippines, as we know of, is very diverse. It is diverse in many sectors, in the ecosystem and in the people itself. Going back through my Araling Panlipunan lessons, the Philippines is home to many Indigenous People. Aetas, T'bolis Igorots, and Ibalois are some of the most familiar indigenous groups in the Philippines.

Filipino Indigenous People are also referred to as the ethnolinguistic groups that maintain their tribe's independence throughout the Philippines' colonialization. If you didn't know, the country has over 110 ethnolinguistic groups which has 14-17 million people as the estimated population.

Indigenous People, often praised or the other way around, are being recognized and appreciated as the month of November underscores the contributions of the Indigenous People in preserving our nation to a rich solidarity it is today. November is the time to rejoice in diversity, cultural, historical, and traditional, as we share knowledge about tribes because of the numerous challenges the Indigenous People have faced back then and up to date.

By recognizing and acknowledging over 110 indigenous groups around the country, we may be unknowingly applying their several traditions beliefs in our lives that had originated from the indigenous groups. Let us recall the T'bolis of Mindanao. The T'bolis are known for their intricate T'nalak weaving, a sacred art that symbolizes their dreams and spirituality. It may not be the same, but we, Ilocanos have a similar tradition, called Abel Iloko where the Ilocanos also have a tradition of weaving using dizzying patterns to scare evil spirits. Another one is from the tribe of the mountains; the Ifugaos. The Ifugaos of the Cordilleras, on the other hand, are world-renowned for the Banaue Rice Terraces. I, personally, have visited this site, and it was really mesmerizing and pleasing to look at because of the colors of the mountains, terraces, and the blue sky.

However, Indigenous Peoples also face many challenges. They often struggle to keep their ancestral lands, which are threatened by activities like mining, illegal logging, and development projects. Many also lack access to basic needs like education, healthcare, and proper housing. Despite this, they remain strong and continue to fight for their rights and way of life.

November is National Indigenous Peoples Month, a time to recognize and celebrate the contributions of these communities to our nation. It’s a chance for us to learn more about their traditions, appreciate their struggles, and support their rights. By doing this, we honor their role in making the Philippines rich in culture, history, and unity. More importantly, it reminds us to stand with them and protect the heritage that they’ve preserved for generations.

References:

Oriental Mindoro Heritage and Cultural Center. (n.d.). Indigenous People’s Month. Facebook.

Sided Avis | Acheter des livres et romans à prix réduits en ligne. (2022, April 11). Sided Avis. https://www.biyahengjuansided.com/

filipino indigenous people - Bing. (n.d.). Bing. https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=p5w2e9OY&id=BDB0A97630D5A895D2FBE4F99EEF32242CD6F380&thid=OIP.p5w2e9OY5-ULR6zaKwOndgHaE8&mediaurl=https%3a%2f%2fwww.bulatlat.com%2fwp-content%2fuploads%2f2016%2f10%2fIP-by-KenBautista.jpg&exph=720&expw=1080&q=filipino+indigenous+people&simid=607988265633777239&FORM=IRPRST&ck=B72108CC38B6C4E5481C1F975E94E364&selectedIndex=0&itb=0&idpp=overlayview&ajaxhist=0&ajaxserp=0