DAYAW Season 7 Episode 2: ATI KAMI (A School of Living Traditions in Negros Occidental)

Summary

This video explores the efforts of the Ati people in preserving their culture and traditions through the School of Living Traditions in the Philippines. It highlights the Ati's deep connection to nature, their sustainable lifestyle, and their struggle against marginalization. The video emphasizes the importance of preserving both tangible and intangible heritage, including language, crafts, and values such as fairness and social unity. Through the work of cultural workers and community leaders, the Ati demonstrate resilience and a commitment to passing on their knowledge to future generations, offering valuable lessons on sustainability and cultural survival.

Takeaways

• 😀 The work of teachers and students in the archipelago blends ancient traditions with modern teaching methods, preserving culture for younger generations.
• 😀 The Schools of Living Traditions focus on preserving intangible cultural heritage while fostering the sustainability of traditional livelihoods.
• 😀 Indigenous cultures, especially the Ati of the Philippines, are not only about crafts and costumes but are shaped by historical, social, and economic realities.
• 😀 The Ati people, considered the original dwellers of the Philippines, have a deep knowledge of their environment, built through generations of survival skills and sustainability.
• 😀 The Ati practice sustainable living long before it became a global concern, ensuring minimal environmental impact through their traditional way of life.
• 😀 A popular Ati legend, the barter of Panay Island, reveals how colonial history and land encroachment led to the retreat of the Ati into the mountains.
• 😀 The Ati people's cultural survival is rooted in principles of social and gender equality, fairness in social interaction, and the primacy of their native language.
• 😀 The School of Living Traditions in the Maricudo settlement has become a center for preserving Ati crafts and traditions while offering a model for sustainable livelihood.
• 😀 Many indigenous children struggle to speak their native language due to the dominance of Tagalog, English, and media influences, making language preservation efforts crucial.
• 😀 Cultural workers, often outsiders, play a significant role in supporting and managing the sustainable development of indigenous communities, but the Ati have always had resilience built into their culture.
• 😀 The Ati offer valuable lessons in sustainability, resilience, and living in harmony with nature, reminding us of the importance of cultural preservation in a modern world.

Q & A

What is the primary focus of the 'Schools of Living Traditions' mentioned in the transcript?

The primary focus of the 'Schools of Living Traditions' is to preserve indigenous cultures by blending ancient knowledge with modern teaching methods, ensuring that younger generations inherit and continue these traditions.

What is the significance of the 'Ati' or 'Ita' people in Philippine history and culture?

The Ati are considered the original dwellers of the Philippines, with vast knowledge of the environment and a lifestyle based on balance and sustainability. Their culture and practices provide deep insights into the early, eco-conscious ways of life in the archipelago.

How does the legend of the barter of Panay Island reflect the perceptions of the Ati people?

The legend reflects the perception that the Ati traded valuable land for material goods like gold, a view that oversimplifies their historical struggle. A more realistic narrative suggests that their move to the uplands was due to the encroachment of other peoples on their land.

What are some of the values that the Ati community holds dear, as highlighted in the script?

The Ati community values principles of social and gender equality, fairness, social interaction, and the primacy of language for social unification, all of which have guided their society and ensured their survival.

What role does weaving play in the Ati community's survival and livelihood?

Weaving is both a sustainable cottage industry and a source of innovation within the Ati community. It plays a key role in preserving intangible heritage while providing economic opportunities through the creation of handmade products.

What are the challenges the Ati face in terms of language preservation?

The Ati face the challenge of language erosion, as many children no longer speak their native language due to the influence of mainstream languages like Tagalog and English. Efforts are being made by elders and cultural workers to teach the children their native language to prevent it from being forgotten.

How do the 'Schools of Living Traditions' contribute to the cultural survival of indigenous communities?

The 'Schools of Living Traditions' play a crucial role by providing education that fosters both the preservation of tangible crafts and the intangible cultural heritage of indigenous peoples, while also promoting sustainable livelihoods and cultural pride.

What is the significance of 'Dayao' as mentioned in the context of the Ati people?

'Dayao' refers to the deep, intrinsic knowledge and pride that the Ati people carry with them, encapsulating their understanding of sustainability, cultural resilience, and their historical role as the original bearers of the region's traditions and wisdom.

How do the Ati community's environmental practices compare to modern concerns about sustainability?

The Ati people have long practiced sustainable living, such as treading lightly on the environment, which aligns with modern concerns about carbon footprints and ecological conservation. Their lifestyle offers valuable lessons in environmental stewardship.

What is the broader social and historical context behind the Ati people's movement to the uplands?

The movement of the Ati to the uplands was largely a result of encroachment on their lands by other groups, not a voluntary retreat. This historical context highlights the marginalization and exclusion the Ati have faced in the broader social and economic landscape of the Philippines.