[2017 Youth Meets ICH] Video 4. Panubok, Philippines

Summary

The video explores the rich intangible cultural heritage of the Panay Bukidnon, an indigenous group from the mountainous regions of the Visayas in the Philippines. It focuses on their unique traditions, including the chanting of epic stories (sugidanon), the Binanog courtship dance, and the intricate binukot embroidery, which reflects their environment and daily life. The video highlights how women play a crucial role in preserving these cultural practices, emphasizing efforts to revive and pass on these traditions through a School of Living Tradition for the younger generation.

Takeaways

• 📚 The video is presented by John Harvey Lopez, Christine, and Lahav, third-year students from the University of the Philippines Visayas, on a mission to explore the intangible cultural heritage of the Panay Bukidnon people.
• 🏔️ The Panay Bukidnon are an indigenous group living in the mountainous regions of Visayas, divided into four subgroups: Paylawanon, Akeanon, Binan-on, and Halawodnon.
• 🎶 The Panay Bukidnon are famous for their epics (called 'Sugidanon'), dances, rituals, and embroidery. Their stories focus on family life, livelihood, and political structure.
• 🕊️ The Binanog dance, mimicking the movements of a bird, is a traditional courtship and social dance of the Panay Bukidnon.
• 🧵 The Panay Bukidnon are known for their unique embroidery called 'Panubok', a rare tradition in the Philippines, with designs inspired by their natural surroundings.
• 👑 Women play a crucial role in preserving Panay Bukidnon culture. They are responsible for learning the Sugidanon stories, practicing dances, and mastering embroidery, especially the 'Binukot', akin to a princess, who is kept away from men until marriage.
• 🎨 Traditional Panubok embroidery uses designs like fish bones, mountain ranges, and bird eyes. Historically, it was done on abaca cloth, but modern embroidery uses commercial textiles.
• 🏫 The School of Living Tradition was founded to teach young Panay Bukidnon their cultural practices, ensuring that their heritage is passed down to future generations.
• 👚 The Panay Bukidnon wear embroidered garments during rituals and dances. The designs are an integral part of their identity, seen in items like women's skirts and men's long-sleeve shirts.
• 🌍 Despite globalization, the Panay Bukidnon continue to preserve their rich culture, with hopes that their legacy of embroidery and traditional practices will not be forgotten.

Q & A

Who are the speakers in the video?

The speakers are John Harvey Lopez and Christine, third-year students from the University of the Philippines Visayas.

What is the mission of the students in the video?

Their mission is to learn about the intangible cultural heritage of the Panay Bukidnon, an indigenous people in the mountainous regions of the Visayas, Philippines.

Who are the Panay Bukidnon, and how are they divided?

The Panay Bukidnon are an indigenous group from the central Panay area. They are divided into four groups: Panay Bukidnon, Alawodnon, Aklanon, and Iraynon.

What are some key cultural elements of the Panay Bukidnon?

The Panay Bukidnon are known for their chants or epics called 'Sugidanon,' dances like the Binanog (a mimetic bird-inspired dance), rituals, and embroidery known as 'Panubok.'

What are 'Sugidanon' stories, and what do they reveal about Panay Bukidnon culture?

Sugidanon stories are chanted epics based on the social and family life of the Panay Bukidnon. They reveal insights into the group’s livelihood, political structure, and cultural traditions.

What is the significance of the Binanog dance?

The Binanog is a traditional Panay Bukidnon dance inspired by the movements of the Manag bird. It is performed during courtship and social gatherings, often accompanied by traditional attire.

What is Panubok embroidery, and why is it unique?

Panubok is the traditional embroidery of the Panay Bukidnon. It is unique because while many indigenous tribes in the Philippines have weaving traditions, embroidery traditions are rare. Panubok embroidery is rich in symbolism, with designs inspired by nature and the environment.

How does gender play a role in Panay Bukidnon culture?

Women are the primary culture bearers in Panay Bukidnon society. They are responsible for learning and preserving cultural traditions like the Sugidanon chants, Binanog dance, and Panubok embroidery.

What efforts have been made to preserve Panubok embroidery?

Anthropologist Dr. Alice Magos helped revive Panubok embroidery by promoting its recognition as part of the Panay Bukidnon's cultural heritage. A school of living tradition was also established to teach young Panay Bukidnon their traditional practices.

What are some of the designs found in Panubok embroidery, and what do they represent?

Panubok designs are inspired by the environment and daily life. For example, the 'Sig-id' represents fish bones, 'Tuga-tuga' depicts mountain ranges, and 'Punai' represents the eye of the Punai bird. These designs carry deep cultural meanings.