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ENGAGE

1. WHY SHOULD YOU BE INTERESTED IN THE QUESTION ABOUT HOW HISTORY IS

WRITTEN?
I am definitely interested in the question on how history is written. When I
was a kid I used to believe on stories about the history of the industrialization in
America how these white people made their way to one of the successful
country/state in the world but when I grew up I started to know more about
things, and learn about the contributions of the black people to the society. How
raised their voice to be recognized to be respected, this where I learned about
the Civil rights movement, and with that I realized that all of the books I have
read about the history of America, there is no or less information about black
people. All of these facts made me doubt about our history and how it was
made, and who made it. Maybe there are facts that were altered? Maybe there
are some information that aren’t true? Maybe, but all of these can be possible.
Jose Rizal however, notice this at an early age later on correcting the writings of
Antonio de Morga about Filipinos. This is another strong example why I do not
always believe stories specifically our history.
2. GIVE A REASON WHY WE FILIPINOS NEED TO KNOW THE PRE-COLONIAL CULTURE
OF OUR NATION?
Filipinos really need to know and learn the different Pre-colonial culture of
the Philippines because one, this is our roots we came from our ancestors and
these ancestors of ours fought for their culture and tradition in order to pass it to
us and be passed on the later generation. Two, is to recognize the differences of
our culture, the Philippines is rich with diverse culture and every one of them is
unique and beautiful. Lastly is not to bring mistakes and further mis information
about these different cultures. Just like the trending post of Princess (siter of Bret
man rock) who had no idea of the different culture In the Philippines and
thought of wearing a piece of traditional clothing of Ilocanos where in fact the
pieces worn are not from Ilocanos but from different tribes , one thing I
remember is the tapis that is from Kalinga.
 EVALUATION

EVALUATING CULTURAL BIASES

THE IGOROTS FROM THE NORTHERN PHILIPPINES

The Igorots are groups of people who originate from the northern mountains of
the Philippines. The term came from when the Spaniards discovered the Philippines
calling them “Ygolotes”. The term Igorot is a general term for the different tribes in
Cordillera; this includes the Bontoc, Isneg/Apayao, Kalinga, Kankana-ey, Ibaloi and
Ifugao. “Igorot” is how they usually call the indigenous people from Cordillera. Just like
any other tribes some traditions and cultures are unique to others. For the Igorots the
following are some of their rich culture and traditions:

1. The Igorots were Head Hunters

In the past, before the Igorots were converted to Christians, they were head hunters.
As part of their culture the Igorots practice this to achieve the cosmological benefits of
agricultural fertility such as rice crops. During the colonization in our country the Igorots
were never conquered their enemies fear them for their ferocity in battle. Head taking
was a way of passage into manhood.
2. Bodong
We can find this culture among the Kalinga’s. They usually practice this for
institutional purposes. The Bodong is a treaty between different tribes wherein the laws
or inter-tribal relations are made. Bodong, a peace pact, evolves from the customs and
traditions of the Kalingas. It discloses indigenous people’s cultural identity, heritage, and
integrity that were painstakingly developed with time passing.
3. Cañao
Canao is a very famous cultural activity among the Igorots. This is believed to be a
pagan ceremony wherein they butcher chickens, pigs, carabaos as a form of
thanksgiving to their gods or “Anitos” the ancestral spirits. There are several types
of Cañao, but this depends on its purpose. This is performed for a bountiful harvest, for
economic growth, and for healing.
4. Senga
Senga this also known as Lapsag, meaning the last ritual for the dead. This is
where they butcher one pig and considerable numbers of chickens. In this ritual the
elders study the dimension of the pig’s bile because this serves as a desirable
interpretation to the elders.
 Due to misinformation and people are too quick to judge other people by what
they have heard about Igorots a lot of negative derogatory remarks were spread that
lead to concluding to stereotypes and stigmas about Igorots. The following are the
most absurd and commonly thoughts of other people about Igorots:

1. Igorots have tails

This misconception about the Igorots having a tail still exists today, wherein
this misconception led to the Igorots'
discrimination. It started almost a century ago
when Dr. William Keen attached a photo of
an Igorot from Bontoc on the fourth edition of
his book “I Believe in God and in Evolution”
and included a short account of “Human
Beings with Tails”.

Photograph of an Igorot in the

Bontoc Province of the Philippine
Islands. It was taken early in 1925 by
Mr. John Freeman
2. Igorots and aetas are the same

Igorots are sometimes mistaken to be Aetas and vice versa. Dark skin, short, and
mountain dwellers are some adjectives that some people use to describe both ethnic
groups. The Igorots and Aetas are different from each other when it comes to basic
physical features, cultures, and traditions.
3. Igorots wear traditional clothes casually.

Some thoughts say that Igorots wear their traditional clothes casually,
especially when they go somewhere out of their homes. The Philippine society
tends to identify Igorots by their clothes. For example, the old Igorot women in
Baguio Botanical Garden stay there to pose for the tourists' pictures. Thus, there is
a fallacy that non-Igorots can only identify the former if they are in their
traditional clothes.

4. Igorots eat dog meat as part of their diet

Some Igorots do eat meat but not as always compared to like eating rice.
In this more modern times only few of them do this kind of practice; besides
many of the Igorots are Dog lovers too. According to Feliciano (2014), this
misconception was first discovered by the Spaniards until the Americans' time
and tried to bring Igorots to US in a display where they were forced to butcher
dog meat to eat since there were no other option given to them. This is how the
wrong information was spread, and really thought Igorots are dog eaters.

5. Igorots are ugly

Due to the wrong information

absorbed by some Filipinos, there’s a
connotation that Igorots are not
physically gifted. Actually, Igorot blooded
people are humbly beautiful in their own
just like other Filipinos.
Elders performs cleansing ritual also
known as Daw-es
 We live in a world where being “normal” is defined by the trend or what
everyone usually wears. Everything different from this so-called “normal” is
sometimes judged and are given criticisms, discrimination, and worst degrading
others. It is sad and at the same time feeling shameful for these people. We must
remember that we live in a community/ society where every person is diverse but
beautiful in a way; not everything is how you think it is.

With this information age we are in, slowly, more people are well informed.
Clearly, a lot has changed now that almost everyone has a smartphone and are
connected to the internet. This is one way to spread the facts and to eliminate
negative stigmas with other people. Often people raise their concerns through
social media, but then we must remember that by doing this remember to be
polite and respect others still. An example is a post that went viral about
misinformation in the books/modules from DepEd, and immediately the DepEd
withdrew the erroneous modules. We can post about our culture and traditions
through social media, and these are being spread its kind of a trend now.
Another way is to Document activities in your community to show others and
educate your culture. Others will see and get an idea about your culture and be
informed correctly. Talking to people from a different culture is another better
thing to do. In this way we develop intercultural relationships with others and by
letting others be welcomed will somewhat make them feel a part of your circle
to lessen prejudice against others. Asking about their culture and tradition is a
good thing to do also, by this you are open to absorb things that are foreign to
you plus you get to know them better. Lastly, implementing love and respect
advocacies in your community by simply greeting others and smiling at others
accept others differences, and let others know that it is okay and accepted.

The bottom line here is everyone is different; what we believe in might be

different to others, and we must accept and respect that. Why does one need
to entitle/boast one as higher to others and discriminate against others? There is
no point in doing this, plus it doesn’t do anything good for the world. Be humble
and proud no need to be offensive and defensive. Just be open because the
world is unique so do everyone else’s culture and tradition.
References:

Palangdao,M. (2017,May 29). The Igorots then and now.

https://marlyndevelopment.wordpress.com/the-igorots-then-and-
now/?fbclid=IwAR3LaOcCGf9-CEF0Q3ymxqW1mV6-
vVTqdGFIqMKGHecEtBtiFUsQnxs56O4

Jessen, D. (2017, November 21). CAÑAO: OUR SACRED CULTURAL PRACTICE AS

INDIGENOUS PEOPLES OF THE NORTHERN PHILIPPINES.
http://culturalencountersanddifferences.dk/canao-our-sacred-cultural-practice-
as-indigenous-peoples-of-the-northern-philippines/

Facebook. (2016, March 15). Facts About the Igorots of the Philippines.
https://www.facebook.com/jeyricknatics1/posts/facts-about-the-igorots-of-the-
philippinesthe-terms-igorots-and-cordilleras-are-/1058623124194678/

The community toolbox. (n.d.) Section 4. Strategies and Activities for Reducing
Racial Prejudice and Racism. https://ctb.ku.edu/en/table-of-
contents/culture/cultural-competence/reduce-prejudice-racism/main

Feliciano, D. (2014, November 29). The 6 Most Common Misconceptions About Us

Igorots And Our Way Of Life. http://www.cordilleransun.com/2014/11/the-6-most-
common-misconceptions-about_29.html