The Igorots of the Philippines - Essay Example

?The Igorots of the Philippines I. Demographics Many theories have been hypothesized to explain the origin of the people dwelling the mountain regions of the Philippines. The Land Bridge Theory claims that the Philippines was part of the Southern Asia Mainland and the Northern Luzon maintain tribes that came through these bridges during the last glacial period between 1200 and 1500 B.C. (Howells 22). Contrary to these assumptions is the Wave Migration Theory, which occurred thousands of years after the disappearance of the land bridges in 3,000-4,000 B.C. The theory states that groups of migrants came by boat from the adjacent lands during the Neolithic period. The Neolithic culture, which they brought with them, is still evident in the rice terraces, cloth weaving and the use of iron implements. Scholars differ in their contentions of the mountain people’s ancestors, however, a noticeable number supports the contention that the ancestors of the mountain people came from the South East Asia Mainland. In the process of settling down, the early settlers became geographically isolated from one another. The long period of isolation and adaptation to the environment gave rise to variations of culture. Akin to other kinds of culture, distance has caused differences. Over time, the territories have made them stay in their respective tribes. An individual who would wander or dare to cross boundaries would have dire consequences.        The Igorots or “mountain people” as they are called by their lowland counterparts refer to the people living the mountainous parts of Central Luzon in the Philippines. It is an autonomous country in Southeast Asia. Some of its known neighbors are Taiwan, China, Borneo, Vietnam, and Indonesia (Peters 7). The nation’s name was derived from Spain’s King. Phillip II ruled Spain during the islands’ discovery by Ruy Villalobos. The name has evolved over centuries and is now officially named as “The Republic of the Philippines”. Luzon is one of the three big islands that comprise the country. Most Igorots occupy the huge island’s Northern provinces (Finin 17). This area is now called the Cordillera Autonomous Region (CAR). It embodies enormous mountain ranges that have been home to the minority group. The region’s economy mainly involves farming, mining, and tourism. Most of the agricultural products are vegetables such as potato, beans, and other leafy greens. The Cordilleras is also the major producer of highland vegetables of the entire Philippines. This is because of is very fertile lands and cool climate. Some of the region’s minerals are gold and silver. The Igorot Mountains are also attracting lots of tourist from all over the world. Aside from having the Banue Rice Terraces, which is considered to be the Eighth Wonder of the World, it has lots of natural and manmade wonders. These majestic places include the Sagada Caves, the hanging coffins and mummies of Benguet, the cool, pine filled climate of Baguio City also known as the Summer Capital of the Philippines, the Strawberry fields of La Trinidad, otherwise known as the Salad bowl of the Philippines, the hot springs of Asin and a lot more. It is also a host of a large number of mountain climbers since it contains the second highest mountain in the Philippines, Mt. Pulag. Igorots’ settling locations have been concentrated in one area. However, the different subgroups have occupied different divisions. The closeness of their geographical aspects have ensued some similarities in their practices. However, the slight environmental dissimilarities have caused diversity among the mountain people. Interestingly, enculturation have transpired over time. The Igorots have also been proven to build stone walls, dams, and canals that still puzzle engineers. These hydraulic works were shaped from stones greater in bulk than those of the Great Wall of China ( . Specifically, the mountain people mostly live in the region’s southern, eastern, and central expanses. Those who live in Mountain Province are called Bontocs (Pinkerton, 3). Before, they engaged in headhunting. One of their unique traits was having tattoos. The symbols had meanings that were usually related to status and bravery. Their pagan system incorporated spirits and great respect for their dead. The Ibalois or Nabalois largely occupy the southern areas of the Benguet Province. Their source of living is mainly agriculture. Meanwhile, the Isnegs live in the province of Apayao. Their tribal name says a great deal about their location. “Is” signifies to retreat and “uneg” denotes inside. Hence, Isneg means people who went into the inner lands. Similar with other provinces, their main source of income is from planting rice. The Kalingas from Kalinga province have been popularly connected to tribal wars. Nonetheless, the peace pact was developed currently. Lastly, the kankanaeys have resided in various parts. Some of them have lived in Benguet’s northern areas. Others have dwelled in Mountain Province’s western zones. Furthermore, a few have inhabited parts of Ilocos Sur. Their friendly nature have enabled them to be able to coexist with other kinds of tribes. There are eight general native dialects spoken in this mountainous area. The Tanguian or Itneg which is spoken by the natives of Abra, Kankanaey which is the major dialects spoken in Mountain Province and in the northern parts ofBenguet, Ibaloi or Nabaloi, generally spoken in the southern parts of Benguet, Kalanguya that which is spoken by the Kalanguya tribe, Kalinga or Kalingga, spoken by the people of Kalinga, the Isneg, used by the natives of Apayao, Ifugao by the Ifugaos and Karao, the dialect of the Karao tribe in Benguet. The Igorots have an estimated population of 1.1 million. They account for 1% of the 103,775,002 total people of the Philippines.. For some people, the word Igorot has a belittling implication which implies an uncivilized and culturally inferior people, which is untrue. For the members of this minor ethnic group, it is a source of pride which has given them a distinct identity from the rest of the other Filipinos.   According to historians, the Igorots have originated from the immigration of lowlanders into the mountain parts of central Luzon in search for commodities like food, water, lumber, gold and other things which they can trade. Once they arrived, they never left. There were two parts of this immigration. The first wave was before the Spaniards set foot on the Philippines. The second one was when Spain conquered and established their rule in the tropical country. The second wave was considered to be the larger of the two influxes of immigrants into the mountains. The Igorots were able to repel the attempts of the Spaniards to conquer them for three centuries. During this period, while a political identity was being created for the Filipino Christians in the lowlands, the mountain people are also beginning to establish a distinct identity for themselves. This identity led to the adoption of the label “Igorot”. Since the conquest of Luzon by the Spaniards, the non-Christian tribes of the Cordillera Mountain range of Northern Luzon were related with the name “Igolot”, “ygollote”, or “Igorot” by the outside world. The term “Igorot” or its earlier variants means mountain dweller. Most likely, the name became handy in anthropological, cultural and/or geography studies as well as for purposes of missionary, military, political and/or civil service administration. Many of the original ancestors and descendants even to this day have never heard of the name Igorot. Nor they ever experienced being called Igorots. It is unknown to them that books, researches, lessons, movies, written works, and other sorts of media were being made and referred to all tribal communities of the Cordilleras as Igorots. The people from Ifugao were called Igorots by the Spaniards during the time when they tried to enter their area in the 1750’s. Later on, Dr. H. Otley Beyer, a world renowned anthropologist, called them true Igorots. He was the first foreigner to marry an Igorot and be buried with full honours of traditional Ifugao custom when he died in 1966. The inhabitants of the Cordilleras have a rich colourful and unique culture. This was portrayed in the 1966 movie entitled “The Flight of the Sparrow”. This movie showed the belief, practices and unity the Igorots have. It depicted people with similar cultural beliefs who wear G-strings, half-naked, rice-terracing, rice wine drinking and gong-beating dwellers of the mountains. They were generally referred to as Igorots. The Cordilleras traditions and practices were well publicized, the Banue rice terraces, tribal dance, tapis (traditional clothes for cordilleran women), wanes (traditional clothes for cordilleran men), or the event of rice-wine drinking, beetle nut chewing and the long-gone head hunting but it was not directly associated with the Igorots. The migration and immigration of Igorots to other places and countries made them visible to many parts of the Philippines and the globe. Some of them even made a name for themselves. The settlement of the Cordillerans in other places led to inter-cultural marriages and merging of different cultures. II. Political Aspect The Igorots primarily supported the Philippine revolution in 1898. Their support was due to the notion that the Philippine independence would bring to an end the never-ending military invasion of their homeland and the gain respect and equality from the rest of the Philippine people. During this war, Igorots were mistreated. They realized that the revolutionary government they were fighting for was no different to the former imperial administration. This resulted to a war between the Filipinos and Igorots. This emphasized the separate cultural and national identities. The war between the Igorots and Filipinos ended when the US took control of the mountains. During this takeover, the Americans pushed out all Filipino revolutionaries out of the mountains. On August 18,1912, the White House penned a law, Philippine Commission Act No. 1876, establishing that the Mountain Province is for the Igorots. This province, which was later on called the Cordillera Autonomous Region, was broken down into sub-provinces: Benguet, Bontoc, Ifugao, Kalinga, Lepanto and Amburayan. The occupancy of Americans benefited the province much. It led to the opening of new roads, establishment of school and educational structure and the introduction of modern health system. During the American occupation of the Mountain Province, the U.S. authorities opened new roads which aided trade and communications among the Igorots, established an elementary educational system, and introduced modern health measures.   Despite of a promising beginning of this endeavour, America failed the Igorots. Instead of educating the Igorots, the Catholic and Protestant missionaries from the US and Europe monopolized the educational system. These uninvited teachers have subjected them to religious oppressions. This persecution continues as the US government denied the Igorots to have a national autonomy. They assumed that the rights and identity of the Igorots would be protected by the lawful existence of the Mountain Province. They also thought that Philippine national government would respect that, it was a mistake. Even if it is against their will, the Igorots were to follow what is forcibly bestowed upon them. They were imprisoned by Filipino Nationalism which has a belief grounded on the Filipinization of all tribal people which would include the colonization of their lands. After the procurement of the home-rule under the Jones Law in 1916, Filipino legislators began to bite away at the borders of the Mountain Province. During the 1920s, the national government’s ignorance gave away Amburayan, a large part of Lepanto and Benguet, to the Filipino provinces of La Union, Ilocos Sur, and Abra.            By the 1930s, Filipino politicians were attacking the very concept of the Cordilleras. These leaders argue that the Igorots pose a danger to national unity. According to them, the unification of non-Christian people and the partition of the Mountain Province are very risky. In June 18, 1966, President Ferdinand Marcos made Republic Act No. 4695 a law. This legislation divided the mountain province into four provinces: Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga-Apayao, and a reduced Mountain Province. After six years of Marcos’ presidency, he declared martial law. He continued his attack on the Igorots by creating twelve larger administrative regions. Benguet and Mountain Province were assigned to region I while, while Kalinga- Apayao was put in Region II. Through this manipulation and gerrymandering, Manila was able to engineer how to effectively exploit the rich mineral deposits of gold, and the other valued natural resources contained in the mountains. These also simplified the Filipino occupation of Igorot lands.  During World War II, the Igorots played a large part in the success of the war especially in fighting the Japanese in Central Luzon. They also had a part on the Korean and Vietnam war when the Americans were still occupying the Philippines. Regardless of their bravery, they are still discriminated. Instead of showing a good portrait of the Igorots to hasten their assimilation into the mainstream of Philippine society, a large number of Filipinos would rather isolate the Igorots by continuing derogatory stereotyping against them. So, instead of defending their people, some Igorot sons and daughters have yielded to the pressure and chose to discard their Igorot identity. The Igorots have the power to choose their leaders. They have a Governor for the entire region, congressmen for the different municipalities and leaders for the different local governments. The local leadership is headed by a mayor who is assisted by his Vice-mayor and a 12 man legislative council. Each of these leaders has a 4-year term and can be re-elected for three consecutive terms. Election for these officials are done on May (Aguhod). Even if the Igorots were given their own local governments it is still under the control of a government run by Filipinos which dictates every move they do. Because of these, the improvement of the Cordilleras is very slow. Needed resources and funds needed to improve this part of the Philippines are always delayed. Its natural resources are being exploited by the Filipinos but the Igorots get nothing in return. Up to now, the aim of the Cordillerans to have an autonomous form of government is not approved.          President Benigno Aquino Jr. claims to respect human rights but it is just in words. Like his mother, President Corazon Aquino, or the other former presidents, no attempts were made to re-establish the 1912 borders of the Cordilleras. They are still divided into two regions and four provinces. The President has not removed all the Filipino colonists from the lands of the Igorots.   It is dismaying that all the leaders think that the Philippine is to benefit the Filipinos only. They are forcing the tribal minorities to adapt as fast as they could. The national government should be pushed to allow the Igorots to national identity. This external pressure should be intensified and continue or the end result will be an ethnic minority where their lands, their culture, national identity and future will continue to be disposed. For decades, the Cordillera has been requesting for autonomy which was given to Mindanao, another ethnic part of the Philippines. The autonomy of the region will greatly benefit all Cordillerans since it will give them greater control of the regions resources which is being exploited by the Filipinos. This will lessen the limitation given by the outsiders. Having the Cordillera as an autonomous region will also speed up the development of this part of the Philippines which has been delayed for ages. Since the establishment of the Cordillera as an Administrative Region on July 15, 1987 by President Corazon Aquino in preparation for its autonomy not much progress was done. During the establishment of the Cordillera Administrative Region, the Igorots had a vision, it says, "We the people of the Cordilleras, proud of our culture and heritage rooted in spirituality, shall have a truly autonomous region of united, enlightened and empowered citizenry who shall pursue sustainable development where responsibilities and benefits are equitably shared by all (“ Cordillera Administrative Region” 2).” This visions is makes the Cordillerans a strong united group of people. The Law developed from five major ideologies such as the formation of a lasting regional identity for the Cordillera, no reduction in the benefits and powers of local governments, nationally paid officials and employees will continue to be nationally paid, grant of a funding to the Autonomous Regional Government by the national government in the amount of P10 billion for the first five years and P5 billion for the succeeding five years and the continuous support of the national government to the Regional government after the expiration of the 10year subsidy period. The goal of a well-balanced and equitable development of the country, its various regions, more so the traditionally left out regions such as the Cordillera must be given the much needed attention it deserves and the same could be achieved with the establishment of an autonomous region (“Cordi autonomy to spur Cordillera development” 1). References Finin, Gerard. The Making of the Igorot. Manila: Ateneo de Manila University, 2005. Print. Howells, William White. Getting Here: The Story of Human Evolution. Washington: Compass Press, 1997. Print. Peters, Jens. Philippines Travel Guide. Quezon City: Jens Peters Publications, 2009. Print. San Beda College Alumni. 1227369. Colegio de San Beda, Alumni Assiocaition Inc. 12 November 2012. Web. November 19, 2012. Pinkerton, Rosita. An Igorot’s Journey. Tucson: Wheatmark, 2006. Print. Aguhod, Rutchie C. Comelec Sets Campaign Periods for Candidates on May 2013 Elections. Philippine Information Agency. 11 September 2012. Web. November 18, 2012 “Cordillera Administrative Region”. A Tourism Oriented Organization 2009: 1-2. Print. “Cordi autonomy to spur Cordillera development.” Northern Philippine Times. 15 Janaury 2012. Print Read More