When Identity Demands to be Felt

Jamie Louise Cayabyab

The significance of identity in a person or group of people is vital in knowing his

or her roots. This creates a sense of self and is a self-representation of their
experiences from the past to the present. Also, it exemplifies their truths amidst
colonization, globalization, and especially the changing times. The indigenous people
are no exception in creating and preserving their own identity as it is a continuing
challenge for them to be known for who and what they are instead of what others are
trying to make out of them.

As defined by the United Nations, indigenous people are “inheritors and

practitioners” of distinct cultures and customs showing the relation of people and the
environment.

Furthermore, what is most important to these people is their cultural identity

because it encompasses their practices, beliefs, and traditions. This amalgamation
forms a solid foundation of their identity in this changing world. Moreover, according to
the research of Usborne and Sablonniere (2014) about the function of cultural identity,
the said concept is important because it explains a person or group’s existence.

Consequently, to maintain a groups identity is to preserve their traditions and

what better way to ensure this is through passing it from generation to generation by
means of educating their people and for others outside their community to not alter their
truths. In addition, Nakashima (2000) stipulated that the knowledge passed down to
different generations shows the vital role of their roots not only in the community’s
survival but to other cultures as well. This just shows the power of indigenous
knowledge in globalization. However, due to the difference in others belief systems,
they are often subjected to discrimination and are being denied of the opportunity to
educate people outside their groups. As a result, United Nations opined that even with
the long-standing search for recognition, they are at a disadvantage and receive a lot of
violence from different cultures.
 Still, certain groups are still thriving to be recognized and are willing to engage in
discussions regarding their practices and the harsh reality that sooner or later, some of
their traditions may be forgotten but at the very least they are documented properly by
people who mean well.

In addition, according to Bardahad (2008) sited by Masendo (2015), amidst all

the challenges indigenous people have faced, the practices they follow survived and are
used as blueprint in today’s survival which benefit groups in all parts of the worlds
especially educators.

Likewise, even with the continuing struggle they face, we cannot deny the fact
that indigenous cultures are rich in history and as well as its factors in sustainability.
Also, the very fact that these groups are among the first settlers that embody the
cultural heritage of Filipinos should be enough to make people understand their
importance.

Among the traditions and practices these groups have, specifically the Manobo
tribe, that helped the Filipinos are those related to agriculture; farming methods that
allow cultivation of certain lands in different places which is commonly known as
kaingin. Also, social classes are prevalent in their groups which is also seen in our
society that creates division between those who sits on top of the chain to those below
them. This just shows that even before, Filipinos practice a political system.

Furthermore, their religious beliefs represent the practices of Filipinos before

being colonized. The belief of spirits and the power of nature is clearly defined in their
culture, explaining the existence of good and evil (Masendo, 2015). In addition, they
believe the existence of “One great spirit” who they see as their creator. In line with this,
they also performed rituals that showcases their gratitude to the creator whom they
believed helped them. Rituals before marrying someone are also prevalent according to
Bigornia (2011) as cited by Masendo (2015) in his research. These marriage rituals take
days to accomplish but is rewarding in the end.

With all of these accounts, the practices and traditions of the Manobo tribe lives
on because they inculcate their beliefs on literature which aims to educate and preserve
their culture. Hence, myths, legends, arts and so much more paved a way to continue
the practices they have and showcase the beauty of their culture, such as the epics of
Tuwaang and Darangen.

The mentioned epics showcased the Manobo and Maranao Tribes belief of
spirits and how they interfere the lives of humans.

Also, in the epic of Tuwaang, it was shown how spirits tend to have human
characteristics as such in the character of the gungutan bird, who talks and acts like a
human being. Likewise, the depiction of the characters in the said epics exemplifies the
strength and perseverance of the tribe to show how rich their beliefs are and how they
want to preserve their traditions.

Moreover, aside from literary arts, the tribes continue to educate their families
and other people by means of oral tradition, tales, dances, performing arts, and
proverbs. Many ways are used to help spread information about their practices,
however the question is, how many more ways should they come up for their culture to
be noticed and documented properly?

This is where the government comes in. Indeed, the Philippine government
created laws in preserving the rights of the indigenous people such as the Indigenous
Peoples Rights Act, still the question begs to be asked: if there are laws protecting
them, why are they still being violated, given little to no rights of their own traditions, and
not recognized the way they should be?

Also, discussions are made around the world about preserving indigenous
cultures and literature still some are tone deaf in the cries of these tribes begging to be
recognized and heard.

The government should think ahead on preserving their cultures and literature
because marginalization isn’t the problem here anymore but the death of a part of our
heritage. Researches should be encouraged not for the sake of research per se but for
the sake of our history and theirs. Instead of trying to change their beliefs because of
the modern times, the government should at least educate them and help them cope
with the changes but still embracing their roots and identity as indigenous people in their
own lands.

Also, educating the greater population as well not just in schools but create
awareness on how we could help in preserving their cultures as well. In addition,
creating programs that involves immersion of the tribes we have can be helpful in
understanding their culture more as well as establish schools with curriculums
appropriate for the tribes.

In the end, even with all these suggestions and all the government does is create
and make laws for the sake of having them, this still does not constitute as a helping
hand. Because what are laws if we don’t implement it properly? What are paperwork’s if
people won’t try to understand the main point of having these laws or ways in
preserving our cultures?

As 21st century teachers, we also have our duties in creating change in helping
the indigenous people preserve their cultures. First, we understand it ourselves.
Understanding their culture and literature helps us create ways on how we can spread
awareness about their struggles in preserving their identity and how we can share it to
our students.

Second, teach the values our tribes have that can be of help to the students. The
significance of these values is important to let students see and understand the different
cultures that we have yet we all share at one point or another.

Third, using their literary texts in teaching literature and employing real life
situations based on these texts through collaborative discussions and decision making.

Lastly, provide a venue for students to ask during discussion – let them be
involved and curious of the culture and literature of these tribes by showing them the
various indigenous groups we have here in the Philippines.

Overall, indigenous people or groups have one thing in common and that is to be
recognized with pride and for their culture to be documented with truths not lies.
Marginalization should be put to an end because as times change, the gap only grows
bigger if we continue to turn a blind eye to these people. As a result, our roots will be
soon forgotten.

Difficult as it is for us to know what the specific ways to help because what may
be helpful for us may not be for them, still educating ourselves and spreading
awareness of these tribes is the least we can do to help them.

References

Usborne, E., Sablonnière, R. (2014). Understanding my culture means understanding

myself: The function of cultural identity clarity for personal identity clarity and
personal psychological well-being. Journal for the Theory of Social Behaviour,
44(4), 436–458. https://doi.org/10.1111/jtsb.12061

United Nations Human Rights, Combating discrimination against indigenous peoples.

OHCHR. (n.d.). Retrieved October 15, 2021, from
https://www.ohchr.org/en/issues/Discrimination/Pages/discrimination_indigenous.
aspx.

Roué, M. (2002). Indigenous Knowledge, Peoples and Sustainable Practice, by

Nakashima and Roué. Encyclopedia of Global Environmental Change.

Masendo, A. (2015). The Manobo Tribe Then and Now: An Ethnography. International
Journal of Scientific & Engineering Research, Volume 6, Issue 4, April-2015 227.
ISSN 2229-5518. https://www.ijser.org/paper/The-Manobo-Tribe-Then-and-Now-
An-Ethnography.html