DTI Subanen Tribe Documentary

Summary

This video highlights the vibrant culture and traditions of the Subban people in Zamboanga del Norte. It focuses on their agriculture-based livelihood, weaving skills, and dedication to preserving their heritage. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has played a crucial role in supporting local entrepreneurs through training, technology, and market access. The Subban's unique crafts, like their banana wine and woven goods, are being promoted, while the local government is dedicated to cultural preservation. The video also discusses ongoing efforts to empower the community and ensure their continued progress and self-sufficiency.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Subban people are one of the largest indigenous tribes in Zamboanga del Norte, living in the hinterlands and relying on agriculture.
• 😀 Their agricultural activities include the production of corn, rice, bananas, and other crops, but they face challenges in getting their products to market due to difficult road conditions.
• 😀 Despite challenges, some Subban people have adopted modern technology, such as rice and corn mills, to improve their agricultural productivity.
• 😀 The literacy rate among the Subban is improving, but some still struggle with reading and writing, as indicated by their thumbprint signatures.
• 😀 Subban women are skilled in weaving, creating products from Romblon and pandan leaves such as mats, bags, coin purses, wallets, trays, and baskets.
• 😀 Subban men also engage in handicrafts, making products from bamboo, including mats and baskets.
• 😀 The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has supported the Subban through entrepreneurship and financial literacy training, as well as by providing access to markets.
• 😀 The Subban community has benefited from DTI's Shared Service Facility (SSF) project, which provided machines to help with the processing of Ibaka fibers, increasing productivity.
• 😀 The local government unit (LGU) is actively working to preserve Subban culture, including displaying traditional costumes and promoting the local banana wine.
• 😀 The DTI is focused on helping the Subban develop and promote local products, including the banana wine, through initiatives like trade fairs and product development workshops.
• 😀 The Subban people are receiving increasing support from DTI, including training, coaching, and marketing platforms, to help them achieve greater economic success and take pride in their cultural identity.

Q & A

What are the main agricultural products of the Subban people in Zamboanga del Norte?

The Subban people are primarily engaged in agriculture, producing crops such as corn, rice, bananas, and other crops.

How does the local infrastructure affect the ability of the Subban people to sell their products?

The roads to the remote areas where the Subban people live are steep and challenging, making it difficult for them to transport and sell their products in the capital or downtown areas.

What traditional tools did the Subban use before adopting modern technology?

The Subban traditionally used stone grinders and mortar and pestles for processing their corn and rice.

How has modern technology improved the livelihoods of the Subban people?

The adoption of modern technology, such as rice and corn mills, has improved productivity and efficiency in processing crops, helping to boost the Subban people's livelihood.

What challenges does the Subban community face in terms of literacy?

While literacy rates have improved, some Subban individuals are still illiterate, as shown by their use of thumbprints instead of signatures.

What crafts are the Subban women skilled in making?

Subban women are skilled in weaving products from Romblon and pandan leaves, including mats, bags, coin purses, wallets, trays, and baskets.

What role has the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) played in supporting the Subban people's crafts?

The DTI has supported the Subban people through entrepreneurship and financial literacy training, skills development, and marketing their products to wider audiences.

How has the DTI helped the Subban with their Ibaka production?

The DTI assisted the Subban with the Shared Service Facility (SSF) project, providing them with machines to strip Ibaka fibers more efficiently, improving productivity and the quality of the fibers.

What cultural practices and traditions are being preserved in the Subban communities?

The Subban community is focused on preserving their cultural practices, including traditional costumes worn during special occasions, their banana wine, and their handicrafts. Local governments help sustain these practices.

What vision does the DTI have for the future of Subban products?

The DTI envisions developing more local products from the Subban, showcasing them in trade fairs like the Zamboanga Peninsula Exposition, and eventually getting them into local stores across the country.