Dayaw: The Indigenous Peoples Fest

Summary

The video script celebrates the diversity of the Philippines' indigenous peoples, brought together by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA). The festival 'Dio' highlights the rich cultural tapestry of the archipelago, focusing on the theme of 'Kalikasan', a fusion of creation and the natural environment. It addresses the impact of climate change on indigenous communities and their art, agriculture, and lifestyle. The festival promotes cultural education, pride in heritage, and the preservation of indigenous traditions for future generations.

Takeaways

• 🎉 The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) in the Philippines has successfully united indigenous peoples from various regions in a cultural gathering.
• 🌐 The term 'Dio', meaning honor, appreciation, or to show off, is used to represent the diversity and unity of Filipino culture.
• 🏖️ The festival is the fourth in a series of revitalized editions of the Philippines Indigenous Peoples (IP) festivals, each with a unique theme and location.
• 👥 Around 30 ethnolinguistic groups participated in the festival, showcasing their cultural heritage and raising awareness among the Filipino consciousness.
• 🌱 The festival's theme, 'Kalikasan', is a fusion of the words 'liat' (to create) and 'kalsada' (environment), highlighting the impact of climate change on indigenous communities.
• 🌍 The festival brought together not only indigenous peoples but also academics and cultural workers from around the world for discussions on climate change and cultural creativity.
• 🎨 Traditional art demonstrations, such as basketry, mat making, pottery, and weaving, were part of the festival's interactive and educational components.
• 💃 'Palabas in Kasan' is a term used to describe the energetic performances by indigenous groups in public spaces, aiming to educate the public about their culture.
• 🏛️ The festival included academic conferences and exhibitions, such as 'Suri khik Hassan in flux', which focused on the effects of climate change on indigenous cultural practices.
• 📚 The festival serves as an alternative education platform, using dance, song, and skits to illustrate indigenous rituals and everyday life.
• 🔄 The indigenous communities are using the festival as an opportunity to reconfigure their cultural practices in response to environmental changes and to share their knowledge with others.

Q & A

What is the purpose of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) in organizing the indigenous peoples' gatherings?

The NCCA organizes indigenous peoples' gatherings to promote unity and cultural awareness among the diverse Filipino ethnic groups, showcasing their rich cultural heritage and traditions.

What does the term 'Dio' signify across different indigenous languages in the Philippines?

The term 'Dio' has various meanings across different indigenous languages in the Philippines, such as honor or pride in Ilano, appreciation or recognition in Bayah, and to show off or parade in Tigwa. It generally carries a celebratory connotation.

How does the festival address the issue of climate change as it relates to indigenous communities?

The festival addresses the issue of climate change by focusing on the theme 'kalikasan,' which combines the concept of creating (liat) with the natural environment (kalikasan), highlighting how climate change affects indigenous peoples' ability to create art, produce crops, and maintain their traditional lifestyles.

What is the significance of the word 'Suri khik Hassan' in the context of the festival?

The word 'Suri khik Hassan' was coined by anthropologist Yasho Abaya to capture the issue of climate change and its impact on the cultural creativity of indigenous peoples. It signifies the changes in how they interpret nature and their relationship with the environment due to drastic environmental shifts.

How does the festival contribute to the cultural education of the general population in the Philippines?

The festival contributes to the cultural education of the general population by exposing them to the diverse cultures, rituals, and traditions of indigenous peoples through parades, performances, and interactive exhibitions, thereby fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of their heritage.

What are some of the activities that take place during the indigenous peoples' festival?

During the festival, various activities take place, including academic and interactive exchanges, traditional art demonstrations, parades, dances, songs, and skits that illustrate rituals and everyday life, as well as educational engagements in public spaces like schools, government offices, and shopping malls.

How does the festival help indigenous communities feel more connected and less isolated?

The festival helps indigenous communities feel more connected by providing a platform for them to meet, share their experiences, and learn about other indigenous groups. This interaction helps them realize they are not alone and fosters a sense of unity and shared identity.

What is the role of 'Schools of Living Traditions' in preserving indigenous heritage?

Schools of Living Traditions play a crucial role in preserving indigenous heritage by teaching younger generations traditional practices, dances, and musical instrument playing, ensuring that the knowledge and skills are passed down and the cultural legacy continues.

How does the festival address the commodification or near extinction of indigenous cultures?

The festival addresses the commodification or near extinction of indigenous cultures by highlighting the importance of their traditions and ways of life. It provides a platform for indigenous peoples to share their art, rituals, and beliefs, raising awareness and promoting the protection of their cultural heritage.

What is the significance of the festival's theme 'kalikasan' in relation to indigenous art and lifestyle?

The theme 'kalikasan' is significant as it emphasizes the connection between the natural environment and the cultural creativity of indigenous peoples. It highlights how climate change impacts their ability to create art, grow crops, and live their traditional lifestyles, urging for a reconfiguration of their relationship with nature.

How does the festival contribute to the broader cultural trajectory of the Philippines?

The festival contributes to the cultural trajectory of the Philippines by promoting a deeper understanding and appreciation of indigenous cultures. It serves as a positive metonym for celebration, symbolizing the country's emerging cultural identity and its journey back to recognizing the genius of indigenous traditions.

Outlines

00:00

🌟 Unity in Diversity: The Filipino Indigenous Gathering

The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) in the Philippines has successfully united indigenous peoples from various regions, emphasizing the diversity within Filipino culture. The term 'Dio', shared across different languages, signifies pride, appreciation, and celebration, encapsulating the Filipino multicultural identity. This year's indigenous people's gathering is the largest and most ambitious, with around 30 ethnolinguistic groups participating, showcasing their unique cultures and traditions. The event aims to raise awareness and appreciation for the rich tapestry of indigenous cultures that make up the Philippines.

05:02

🌍 Climate Change and Indigenous Lifeways

The script discusses the impact of climate change on indigenous communities, threatening their traditional ways of life, including art and agriculture. The festival 'Dio' this year focuses on the theme 'Kalikasan', a fusion of 'liat' (create) and 'kalsada' (environment), highlighting the challenges faced by indigenous peoples in adapting to environmental changes. Anthropologist Yasho Abaya introduces the term 'Suri Khikhasan' to capture the relationship between cultural creativity and climate change, emphasizing the need for indigenous communities to adapt their agricultural practices and rituals in response to a changing environment.

10:03

🎓 Cultural Education and Exchange

The festival 'Dio' includes academic and interactive exchanges, with conferences and exhibitions that delve into the native Filipino culture. It features traditional art demonstrations, academic discussions, and public parades, aiming to educate both the indigenous communities and the wider public. The event serves as an alternative educational platform, with indigenous groups performing dances, songs, and skits to illustrate their rituals and everyday life. The script highlights the importance of cultural education in fostering understanding and appreciation for indigenous heritage and the need for its preservation.

15:06

🌱 Celebration of Indigenous Identity and Wisdom

The final paragraph celebrates the positive shift in perception towards indigenous communities in the Philippines, recognizing their cultural genius and contributions. The festival 'Dio' symbolizes a journey back to the diverse Filipino identity and the wisdom of indigenous peoples. It emphasizes the pride and determination of these communities to maintain their heritage and pass it on to future generations through 'Schools of Living Traditions'. The script concludes by acknowledging the importance of celebrating life and sustaining an introspective worldview, encapsulated by the festival's theme of celebration and unity.

Keywords

💡Indigenous peoples

Indigenous peoples refer to the original inhabitants of a particular region, who have a historical continuity with pre-invasion and pre-colonial societies. In the context of the video, it highlights the diverse ethnic groups from the Philippines, emphasizing their unique cultures and traditions that are integral to the country's cultural fabric. The script mentions various ethnolinguistic groups such as the Iuga of Kangan, the Balod of NOA Visaya, and the Atti of Aklan, showcasing the rich tapestry of indigenous identities.

💡NCCA

NCCA stands for the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, which is a government agency in the Philippines responsible for the promotion and development of Filipino culture and the arts. The script discusses how the NCCA has organized indigenous people's gatherings, indicating its role in unifying and celebrating the cultural diversity of the country.

💡Cultural diversity

Cultural diversity refers to the variety of cultures, traditions, and beliefs within a society. The video emphasizes the importance of recognizing and celebrating the cultural diversity of the Filipino people, as it is a source of strength and unity. The script illustrates this through the multitude of indigenous groups coming together, each with their distinct customs and languages.

💡Dio

Dio is a term shared by many indigenous languages in the Philippines, with varying meanings such as honor, pride, appreciation, or recognition. The video uses 'Dio' as a metaphor for the celebration of Filipino multiculturalism, highlighting the shared cultural thread that links the diverse indigenous groups.

💡Climate change

Climate change is a significant and lasting change in the statistical distribution of weather patterns over periods ranging from decades to millions of years. The script discusses the impact of climate change on indigenous communities, affecting their traditional ways of life, including art, agriculture, and rituals. The festival's theme, 'Kalikasan,' addresses this issue, emphasizing the need for cultural creativity in the face of environmental challenges.

💡Kalikasan

Kalikasan is a Tagalog word that means 'nature' or 'environment.' In the video, it is used in the context of the festival's theme, which combines the words 'likha' (to create) and 'kalikasan,' to convey the idea of creating or sustaining the natural environment. This theme is central to the discussion of how indigenous peoples adapt their cultural practices in response to climate change.

💡Cultural thread

A cultural thread refers to the common elements or shared values that run through a society's diverse cultural practices. In the video, the term is used to describe the underlying unity among the various indigenous groups in the Philippines, despite their differences, suggesting a shared identity and heritage.

💡Ethnolinguistic groups

Ethnolinguistic groups are communities that share a common cultural and linguistic heritage. The script lists numerous ethnolinguistic groups from different regions of the Philippines, such as the Manan of Mindoro and the Jama mapun of Palawan, to illustrate the country's rich cultural diversity.

💡Living Traditions

Living Traditions refers to the preservation and continuation of cultural practices and knowledge that are passed down through generations. The video mentions 'Schools of Living Traditions' as a means for indigenous communities to maintain their heritage and pass it on to future generations, reflecting the importance of cultural continuity.

💡Cultural education

Cultural education involves learning about and understanding the cultural practices, history, and values of different societies. The script highlights the role of the indigenous people's festival in providing cultural education to the broader Filipino population, particularly those in urban areas who may have limited knowledge of indigenous cultures.

💡PalaBas

PalaBas, derived from the Filipino words 'palabas' meaning 'performance' or 'show,' refers to the public performances by indigenous groups during the festival. The script describes these performances as a form of alternative education, where indigenous peoples engage with the urban population through dances, songs, and skits that depict their rituals and everyday life.

💡Suri khik Hassan

Suri khik Hassan is a term coined for the festival's conference, which discusses the impact of climate change on indigenous cultural creativity. The term is a fusion of words meaning 'in flux' or 'changing,' reflecting the dynamic nature of indigenous cultures as they adapt to environmental challenges.

Highlights

The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) has successfully united indigenous peoples from the Philippines for a cultural gathering.

The concept of unity without uniformity is emphasized, highlighting the diversity within the Filipino nation.

The term 'Dio' is used to represent the celebration of Filipino multiculturalism.

Different meanings of 'Dio' across various regional languages in the Philippines are presented to show linguistic diversity.

The indigenous people's gathering is described as the biggest and most daring event of its kind.

Around 30 ethnolinguistic groups participated, representing the rich tapestry of Philippine indigenous cultures.

The festival aims to increase awareness and educate the mainstream population about indigenous communities.

Indigenous groups from various regions, including those that have reverted to Islam, are mentioned as participants.

The festival's theme 'Kalikasan' focuses on the impact of climate change on indigenous communities.

The term 'Kalikasan' is a fusion of words meaning 'to create' and 'natural environment', highlighting the relationship between culture and nature.

Academic and interactive exchanges are part of the festival, featuring prominent anthropologists and cultural workers.

Traditional art demonstrations, such as basketry, mat making, pottery, and weaving, are highlighted as part of the festival.

Indigenous peoples engage in 'Palabas in Kasan', an alternative education approach through street performances.

The festival serves as a platform for indigenous groups to showcase their rituals and everyday life to a wider audience.

The importance of education about indigenous communities is underscored as a key purpose of the festival.

Indigenous pride in their heritage is evident, and this has been a driving force in preserving their traditions.

The festival promotes a deeper understanding and appreciation of the indigenous peoples' contributions to Philippine culture.

The term 'Dio' is presented as a positive symbol of celebration, reflecting the country's emerging cultural trajectory.

Transcripts

[Applause]

[Music]

speee

[Music]

the Philippines indigenous peoples

coming from far and wide have been

reunited yet

again the country's National commission

for culture in the Arts or NCCA has

succeeded in bringing together this

multitude becoming more and more aware

that unifying does not necessarily mean

singular

fying for the Filipino can be United but

the nation is in fact far from being

[Music]

singular the Filipino is as diverse as

the very Islands they call home

nevertheless across this Rich tapestry

there would always run a cultural thread

that would somehow link and bind the

diversity

[Music]

together to illustrate further the word

Dio is one such thread Dao is a term

shared by many different tongues across

the

archipelago to the ilano of Northern

Philippines it means honor or

Pride to the bayah of the central

Islands it is appreciation or

recognition to the tig wanun of the

South Dao means to show off or parade

in all its linguistic incarnations the

connotation of Dio is

celebratory as such and as a word

encompassing the Filipino multicultura

it was chosen to embody this year's

indigenous people's Gathering touted to

be the biggest and in many ways the most

[Music]

daring the NCCA has organized several

other indigenous people's convergences

in the past described as roaming

Festival

and taking the identity of its chosen

home

[Music]

base there was mindanao's Kuda or

gathering there was Northern Philippines

uog or

unity and Central Philippines dumog

dignity already the fourth in the ncca's

revitalized editions of the Philippines

IP festivals Doo struck with an

unexpected Force taking Urban Manila the

national capital by

surprise around 30 ethnolinguistic

groups out of the country's Legion of

almost a 100 Rose to Herald their

presence into the Filipino

Consciousness from the Philippines

powerful North Lon iuga of kangan

iuga a of

batan Mala of Cagayan

Valley balod of NOA

visaya gang of mountain

Province Kalinga of

Kalinga ibaloy of

Benet Daga of

kzo from the the central archipelagic

region Manan of

mindoro Jama mapun of

Palawan Panay bukidnon of

capis bukidnon of

Negros Palawan of

Palawan and the atti of aklan Negros

Iloilo garas and

capis from Southern Philippines the

crowd was a mix of secular lumads and

peoples who have reverted to Islam Bahan

of balut Island sarangani Daval

Del tiboli of Lake sebu south

cotabato teduray of

magao kamayo of ausan

Del mang wangan of davo Del

nor manobo of

bukid Bobo of davo

City iranol of

magana sang of balut Island sarangani

davo

Del subanon of Zamba

Del mammana of suro Del

nor T of

Hulu Kagan of Dava

Oriental joining them in Lively

celebration are the ethnolinguistic

groups of the Visas lowlands who have

embraced the pronouncedly West

acculturated way of life nonetheless

still as Filipino as their native

Brethren some IP delegations have

Faithfully participated in festivals

past and have now brought along their

younger

Kindred in their hearts they have the

best of

[Music]

intentions

many other indigenous groups otherwise

shy and hesitant have followed suit

having been emboldened by their fellows

who have seen the positive impact of the

festival on the cultural education of

Metropolitan Philip

who unfortunately know too little of

them

[Music]

as it turns out this exposure helped

educate not only the so-called

mainstream

population the indigenous peoples long

been separated by territorial

inaccessibility and a few of them

surviving without the aid of mass media

have been thriving in relative seclusion

and have never heard of others who live

like them albit miles or several Seas

away

and then when we meet them we feel at

homea we share our instruments it's

parallel everything is parallel planting

rual wedding ritual you know

Thanksgiving

ritual during these convergence

festivals they finally realize that they

are not

alone

[Music]

the Philippine indigenous people's

Festival has always highlighted the

biggest issues confronting the IP

communities issues which have at times

become so major as to push their ways of

living and beliefs to Mere

commodification or Worse near

Extinction this time Dio focused on a

different kind of conflict that of man

versus

nature the effects of climate change

have become a threat to the continuous

ability of indigenous peoples to create

art produce crops or simply live life as

they know it hence this festival's theme

is kalikasan a fusion of tagalo words

liat meaning to create and kalikasan or

natural

environment Anthropologist yasho Abaya

who coined the word elaborates khik

Hassan is a term that I thought might

capture this compelling issue of climate

change and how that relates to the idea

of cultural creativity of the indigenous

peoples because prior to these drastic

changes in the environment they do have

relatively stable kind of flow in in how

they do

Agriculture and uh how they deal with

the environment and there are rituals

that are associated with these

activities now because of this climate

change things have really reconfigured

the way they interpret nature how will

they get the resources at what time of

the year how will they grow their crabs

Etc hewing closely into the kalikasan

theme and introducing other aspects of

the Native Filipino to the maneno are a

number of academic and interactive

exchanges highlights of the ongoing

convergence

Festival in the national museum of the

Filipino people Dio becomes cerebral and

contemplative prominent anthropologists

sociologists cultural workers and guests

from around the world flocked together

in the multi-day conference entitled

Suri khik Hassan in flux

Su saang khasan is a series of

exhibitions around the Metro displaying

creative craft and industry along with

photos especially fascinating are the

demonstrations of some local masters of

traditional art

basketry mat

making pottery

and

[Music]

weaving outside the somewhat scholarly

and solemn corners of the

museum the IP delegations took to the

streets eager to parade with pride along

the frenzied roads and corridors of busy

[Music]

Manila palabas in kasan is where the

indigenous peoples engage Manila in

highly energized alternative

education ready with several montages of

dances

songs and skits that illustrate rituals

in everyday

life the delegates regaled their captive

audiences not only in Ral Park the main

venue but also those in

schools government offices

and even in the most unlikely places of

all the shopping

malls but what is alternative if not

daring in the end there will always be

the question why is there a need for an

indigenous people's convergence the of

repeated answer is

education truth be told this reason

alone is profound enough for most of the

country have yet to learn about the

indigenous communities and their

Maverick

[Music]

genius either you're

aita the

way we are using this one as a

needle this one has three colors the

white the red and black okay white

stands for peace and red for bever and

black is for death the pride in

themselves is

evident

this has been a governing force in the

people's will to continue on with their

Heritage which in several points

throughout history were dismissed as

uncivilized this pride has emboldened

them to pass on their ways to the next

Generations through schools of Living

Traditions or

[Applause]

slts

[Music]

we very

glad is traditional dances and musical

instrument

playing only few Master Slinger as of

now in many ways the Philippines is now

in an era of deeper understanding of the

plight and wisdom of the pure native

Native has almost ceased to Bear a

negative connotation a big reason for a

continued celebration of life and the

constant sustenance of an introspective

world view for this Dio as a positive

metonym of Celebration has become the

most apt if not the best word to

symbolize the country's emerging

cultural

trajectory

a spirited Journey Back to the manifold

Filipino

identity and back to the genius of all

things

[Music]

indigenous

[Music]