ANC-NCCA Dayaw Episode 1: "Lupa, Kagubatan, Karagatan" (Inspiring, Challenging Environments)

Summary

This script explores the rich heritage of indigenous Filipinos, highlighting their deep connection with nature and the environment. It delves into their ingenious methods of land use, such as the Ifugao rice terraces, which are not only a testament to their survival skills but also a vibrant culture. The script also touches on the boat-building techniques of the Sulu archipelago and the unique music of the Palawan people, all of which reflect a profound respect for the environment and a way of life that is both sustainable and artistic.

Takeaways

• 🌿 Indigenous knowledge is vital for understanding our roots and direction, with a deep connection to nature, songs, epics, and technology.
• 🏞️ The Philippine indigenous peoples have developed sustainable ways of life that guarantee survival and a distinct identity, using the environment wisely.
• 🌾 The Ifugao Rice Terraces are a testament to indigenous engineering, with a system that supports life and culture, possibly built by ancestors fleeing Spanish colonizers.
• 💧 The terraces rely on intricate water distribution systems, showcasing the Ifugao's social sharing and communal resource management.
• 🛠️ Maintaining the terraces is labor-intensive, requiring constant rebuilding and restoration, highlighting the hard work behind their survival.
• 🚣‍♂️ The Sulu archipelago's boat-building techniques demonstrate the mastery of maritime navigation and the adaptation of traditional designs to modern engines.
• 🛶 Art Valdez's adventure of building and sailing an authentic balangay (ancient Filipino boat) shows the effectiveness and seaworthiness of indigenous boat designs.
• 🎵 The Palawan people's music is a unique form of intangible heritage, inspired by and responding to the natural environment, reflecting animist beliefs.
• 🎨 The Palawan's artistic tradition in mat and basket weaving is a source of pride, showcasing their intricate craftsmanship and creativity.
• 🌳 Animist groups believe in the life principle animating all things, fostering a deep respect for nature and its preservation.
• 🔍 The loss of indigenous knowledge and practices is a threat to both the environment and the cultural identity of indigenous peoples, emphasizing the need for preservation.

Q & A

What is the significance of learning from indigenous peoples according to the script?

Learning from indigenous peoples is significant as it helps us understand their deep knowledge of nature, relationships, survival techniques, and cultural heritage, which can provide direction and a sense of identity in an age of globalization.

What is the role of indigenous knowledge in the context of environmental balance?

Indigenous knowledge plays a crucial role in maintaining environmental balance by ensuring sustainable use of resources and preserving a precious equilibrium with nature.

What are the Ifugao Rice Terraces and why are they important?

The Ifugao Rice Terraces are ancient farming systems carved into the mountains of the Cordillera region in the Philippines. They are important for their agricultural, cultural, and historical value, and for demonstrating a sustainable way of life.

How do the indigenous people of Kinakin, Ifugao, utilize the rice terraces?

The people of Kinakin, Ifugao, utilize the rice terraces through a complex system of knowledge that involves irrigation, social sharing of water resources, and maintaining the terraces, ensuring their survival and the sustainability of their environment.

What is the significance of the traditional boat-building techniques of the Sulu archipelago?

The traditional boat-building techniques of the Sulu archipelago are significant as they represent a mastery of maritime skills, allowing ancestors to travel, trade, and live on the water, showcasing a deep understanding of wave dynamics and boat construction.

How did Art Valdez experience the traditional boat-building techniques of the Sulu archipelago?

Art Valdez commissioned a boat from the Sulu boat builders, encouraging them to use their traditional knowledge in constructing the boat as authentically as possible. He also involved the Society of Naval Architects and Maritime Engineers to ensure the boat's seaworthiness.

What is the concept of 'Shell First Construction' in boat building?

The 'Shell First Construction' is a traditional boat-building method where the hull or shell of the boat is constructed first, followed by the addition of the ribs, which is the opposite of modern boat-building techniques.

Why is it ironic that the Philippines imports rice despite having indigenous knowledge of rice cultivation?

It is ironic because the indigenous people, like the Ifugao, have mastered rice cultivation in challenging terrains, yet modern circumstances have led to the Philippines needing to import rice, indicating a loss of traditional agricultural practices.

What are the animist beliefs of the indigenous people and how do they influence their relationship with nature?

Animist beliefs hold that everything in nature is alive, including rocks, water, earth, and fire. This belief system fosters a deep respect for nature, discouraging destructive practices and promoting a harmonious coexistence with the environment.

How do the indigenous people of Palawan express their cultural heritage through art and music?

The indigenous people of Palawan express their cultural heritage through intricate mat and basket weaving, as well as a unique form of music that directly responds to and is inspired by the natural sounds of their environment.

What is the importance of preserving the intangible heritage of indigenous peoples?

Preserving the intangible heritage of indigenous peoples is important as it helps maintain their cultural identity, traditional knowledge, and practices, which are often deeply connected to the environment and contribute to sustainable living.

Outlines

00:00

🌏 Indigenous Knowledge and Sustainable Living

The first paragraph introduces the importance of learning from indigenous peoples who have a deep connection with the land and nature. It emphasizes the richness of their knowledge, which is reflected in their songs, epics, technology, and creations. The script highlights the need to preserve this heritage, as it provides direction and identity in an age of globalization. The Ifugao Rice Terraces are presented as an example of indigenous technology that supports life and culture, with a debate on their age and the role of the UGA people in their creation.

05:22

🏞️ The Ifugao Rice Terraces: A Testament to Indigenous Ingenuity

This paragraph delves into the intricacies of the Ifugao Rice Terraces, detailing the traditional systems of water distribution and social sharing among families. It discusses the challenges of maintaining the terraces, such as rebuilding walls after natural disasters, and the importance of inheritance in ensuring their preservation. The terraces are not only a source of pride but also a symbol of the Ifugao's sustainable relationship with the environment.

10:23

🛶 Mastering the Seas: The Boat-Building Techniques of Sulu

The third paragraph shifts focus to the maritime skills of the Sulu people, particularly the master boatbuilders of Tawi-Tawi. It describes the unique boat designs, such as the kumit campan sapit and birir, which were used for trading and travel across the archipelago. The narrative follows a modern man's journey to replicate a traditional balangay boat, consulting with experts and the local boatbuilders to ensure authenticity and seaworthiness, showcasing the enduring relevance of ancient maritime technology.

15:24

🎵 The Intangible Heritage of Music and Art Inspired by Nature

This paragraph explores the cultural expressions of indigenous peoples, such as the music and art of the Palaw'an people, which are deeply connected to their environment. It discusses the anthropological studies that reveal the animistic beliefs that attribute life to all elements of nature, fostering a profound respect for the environment. The narrative also touches on the impact of environmental destruction on indigenous cultures and their identity.

20:25

🌲 Animist Beliefs and the Respect for Nature

The final paragraph emphasizes the animist belief system that views all aspects of nature as alive, leading to a deep respect for the environment. It discusses the consequences of losing this connection, such as environmental degradation and the erosion of indigenous cultural practices. The paragraph concludes by reflecting on the importance of indigenous knowledge systems and the treasures of intangible heritage that they yield, such as music and art inspired by nature.

Keywords

💡Indigenous Knowledge

Indigenous Knowledge refers to the traditional and practical understanding of indigenous peoples about their environment, culture, and ways of life. It's integral to the video's theme as it highlights the wisdom of indigenous communities in living harmoniously with nature and their surroundings. For example, the script mentions 'vast stores of indigenous knowledge' that Filipinos can learn from to ensure survival and maintain a distinct identity.

💡Cultural Heritage

Cultural Heritage encompasses the traditions, values, customs, and artifacts that are passed down through generations within a community. The video underscores the importance of recognizing and preserving the cultural heritage of indigenous peoples, such as their songs, epics, and creations, which are manifestations of their deep connection with the land and their environment.

💡Sustainability

Sustainability in the context of the video refers to the ability of indigenous communities to maintain their way of life and the environment over time without depleting resources or causing harm. The script illustrates this with the example of the Ifugao's rice terraces, which are not only a testament to their survival but also a sustainable method of agriculture that respects the balance of nature.

💡Ifugao Rice Terraces

The Ifugao Rice Terraces are a series of approximately 2000-year-old terraces that were carved into the mountains of Ifugao in the Philippines. They are highlighted in the script as an astounding example of indigenous engineering that supports life, sustains natural resources, and enhances culture. The terraces are a physical manifestation of the Ifugao people's deep understanding of their environment and their commitment to sustainable living.

💡Indigenous Peoples

Indigenous Peoples are ethnic groups that have lived in a region for many generations and have a strong cultural and historical connection to that land. The video emphasizes the importance of learning from these communities, whose knowledge, technologies, and ways of life have been developed over centuries and are crucial to preserving their identity and the environment.

💡Globalization

Globalization is the process of increased interconnectedness and interdependence among countries, which often leads to the spread of a common culture and economic practices. The script mentions globalization as a reminder for Filipinos to look back at their indigenous knowledge, which is in danger of being lost amidst the homogenizing effects of global trends.

💡Ecology

Ecology is the study of the relationships between living organisms and their environment. The video discusses the ecological wisdom of indigenous communities, such as the Ifugao, who have developed a deep understanding of their forests, watersheds, and mountainous terrain, allowing them to create sustainable agricultural systems.

💡Traditional Boat Building

Traditional Boat Building refers to the craft of constructing boats using methods and materials that have been passed down through generations. The video script features the boat-building techniques of the Sulu people, which are known for their speed, lightness, and ability to ride waves. These techniques are a testament to the indigenous knowledge of navigating and living off the sea.

💡Animism

Animism is a belief system that attributes a living spirit to natural objects, such as trees, rivers, and mountains. The script discusses animism as a key aspect of the indigenous cultures in the Philippines, influencing their respect for nature and shaping their way of life, rituals, and customs.

💡Intangible Heritage

Intangible Heritage refers to the practices, representations, expressions, knowledge, and skills that communities recognize as part of their cultural heritage. The video emphasizes the importance of preserving the intangible heritage of indigenous peoples, such as their music, rituals, and traditional knowledge, which are in danger of being lost.

💡Cultural Identity

Cultural Identity is the sense of belonging to a cultural group and sharing its values, traditions, and history. The video script discusses how indigenous knowledge and practices contribute to the cultural identity of Filipinos, providing a sense of pride and direction in an age of globalization.

Highlights

Indigenous peoples possess valuable knowledge and skills in harmony with nature, technology, and survival.

Filipinos should cherish and learn from indigenous knowledge to preserve cultural heritage.

Indigenous peoples have sustainable ways of life that maintain a balance with the environment.

The Ifugao Rice Terraces are an ancient and astounding example of indigenous engineering and environmental harmony.

The age of the Ifugao Terraces is debated, with evidence suggesting they may be more recent than previously thought.

The terraces demonstrate the Ifugao's ability to utilize natural resources for survival and cultural vibrancy.

Indigenous methods of water distribution and terrace maintenance are essential for the Ifugao's survival.

Inheritance of terraces is carefully managed to prevent family disputes and ensure sustainable use.

The Philippines' reliance on rice imports contrasts with the Ifugao's mastery of rice cultivation in challenging terrain.

Indigenous groups across the Cordillera region have developed diverse and innovative land use methods.

Animist societies like the Ifugao have belief systems and customs deeply connected to nature and the environment.

Master boat builders of Sulu have preserved traditional boat-making techniques for generations.

Traditional boats like the balanghai are designed for speed, lightness, and adaptability to different power sources.

Art Valdez's adventure of building an authentic balangay boat demonstrates the effectiveness of traditional boat-building methods.

Science has confirmed the technical capability of traditional boat designs for open sea navigation.

Indigenous peoples have a deep respect for the environment, viewing it as a source of inspiration for art and music.

The Palawan people have a unique musical tradition that directly responds to the sounds of nature.

Animist beliefs foster a deep respect for nature, recognizing the life principle in all elements.

The loss of indigenous knowledge and disrespect for nature has led to environmental degradation and cultural erosion.

Indigenous peoples have developed vital arts and knowledge systems that are a source of pride and identity.

Transcripts

[Music]

there is much to be learned from people

who have lived on this land much longer

than we

have a knowledge that manifests itself

not only in the relationships with

nature their songs and epics their

technology and Creations but in their

very

survival only by being aware of this

Heritage of the indigenous can we find

not only Our Roots but our

Direction their pride and ours captured

in one word

[Music]

da in an age of increasing globalization

we Filipinos are constantly reminded to

look back to the vast stores of

indigenous knowledge that like our own

natural resources are in danger of being

forever

lost we have much to learn from our

indigenous peoples vast stores of

knowledge Technologies and ways of life

that guaranteed not only survival but a

distinct

identity Lupa karagatan Katan an

environment that inspired their

indigenous peoples to make the best use

of resources while guaranteeing a

precious balance a balance where we are

so in danger of losing

[Music]

today Grand to look

at astounding to

[Music]

behold challenging to

[Music]

understand the eagal rise tesses

represent a dynamic indigenous responds

to the

environment one that combines hard work

and tenacious industry with a deep

understanding of how our forests

watersheds mountainous terrain and

Engineering can come together to

guarantee a people's

survival the age of these Terraces is

much

debated some Scholars have said that

these Marvels are 2 or 3,000 years

old recent archaological evidence points

to a much later dating and poits that

these Terraces were built

by the lowland ancestors of the UGA who

were fleeing the Spanish

colonizers but whether they are 3,000 or

300 years old what is most astounding is

that the UGA have carved from the grand

cordelier mountain range an entire

system capable of supporting

life sustaining natural

resources

and enhancing a vibrant

[Music]

culture while we see tourist attractions

the UGA see their very survival and the

environment that must be harnessed

[Music]

sustainably in kinakin a village not

normally on the tourist route we learn

the ways in which these poo the Terrace

fields are a result of a complex system

of knowledge that has served the euga

well

R we called it chape rice teres it's a

part of the study of h

[Music]

k

if you could

see among the best of the teres in

kinakin s barang

kinakin the IFA system of tering begins

first with

irrigation

[Applause]

for forested area

RI through

gravity

rice the watersheds at feed the Pao do

so with nothing simpler or more durable

than bamboo tubes or roughly Hune

Carns the euga have worked out

traditional systems of social sharing in

which the precious water is distributed

equally among

families the hardest work goes into

building and maintaining these Terraces

no matter how sturdy they may look a

storm a sudden surge of too much water

can cause the walls to

collapse and we have nothing more than

simple tools and muscle the walls must

be rebuilt again the water Distribution

Systems

restored then the hard work of creating

and maintaining the stone walls

[Music]

begins

for

for

[Applause]

[Applause]

for

wall so important are The Terraces that

the matter of inheritance must always be

settled beforehand to avoid division in

the family just after

marriage boundaries or

PES area Rice

Field

I'm I find it a great irony that the

Philippines now has to import rice when

the epag mastered such rugged terrain to

be able to produce it of course times

have changed and populations have grown

dramatically but what do we stand to

lose by carefully looking at how the

eaga worked the mountains not to change

them but to make the best of what nature

had challenged them

[Music]

with all over the Cordillera region our

indigenous peoples have developed their

own ingenious and Innovative methods of

land use that are both respectful and

[Music]

creative tering is not exclusive to the

eugal other indigenous groups have also

developed their own forms of tering

whether on gentle slopes or high

plateaus The Terraces of of the

Cordillera are studies in natural form

dictating function and

[Music]

purpose along with such adaptation come

belief systems

architecture ritual and

custom in such animist societies as the

[Music]

euga

nature its Spirits its features its

rhythms and Cycles are what shape the

way they

live believe and commune with the

dieties and with one

another from the mountains to the Seas

and to the adventure of one very modern

man who looked at and experienced for

himself the ways in which the s d of suu

mastered the

seas in an archipelago such as ours why

do many of us know so little about the

boat building techniques that allowed

our ancestors to travel trade and even

live on the water surrounding our

Islands for Generations the master

Boatman or tuang of Sulu specifically

cutu Island have been turning out boats

known for their speed lightness ability

to ride the

waves the kumit campan sapit and birir

are only four of the variants of the

boat form that the sibutu Masters are

expert in

building with such vessels as these the

traders of Sulu traversed the Waters of

Holo reaching as far as Boro Malaysia

and

brunai the secret of these boats is a

hall designed to ride the waves the main

body is constructed from planks that the

tukang constructs not from paper plants

but from his own combination of

practical knowhow and memory

the body of the boat with its

streamlined Hull is constructed from

logs first before the rib framework or

is put

in this simple elegant form was designed

to be powered by the wind but it is so

versatile it can be adapted to motor and

diesel engine a testament to a

technology that is as old as a balanghai

and yet

as current as any

yacht one man chose to experience this

technology for himself and it was the

adventure of his life well actually it

started after coming down from Mount

Everest we thought what's next why not

build the boat that our forefathers used

in their waves of

migration and as authentic as possible

what happened then was that I went here

at the national museum Museum talked to

the archaeological section and asked for

advice and they said that this how the

boat was built they gave me a handbook

of Father Alena the Jesuit Maritime

priest during Spanish time and I look at

it I said who can build this boat he

said no one now among the people except

if you go to batanes the iatan built the

same kind of boat or you go to tawi the

s deay yeah they built they still built

that kind of boat so I went to tawi tawi

and look at how they built the boats and

that's how it

[Music]

started displayed in one of the

courtyards of the national museum is a

very boat that art Valdez commissioned

from the S dilaut he encouraged them to

use all their knowledge in constructing

this one boat in as traditional a manner

as

possible

then I saw that it's still the

traditional way of boat building Shell

First Construction if youve noticed the

modern boat building is that once the

kill is set they put up the ribs and

then the walls or the sidings but the

Shell First Construction is that you

have the kill and then you built planks

you built a shell of this kind and then

the ribs is the last part that you put

it together so I went out and did

research and I asked the national museum

that I can build an authentic balangay

based from the diggings in bhan and

that's how the boat was

built VES experience for himself just

how effective this method of building

was and he was amazed to find out that

the Master Builders could calculate and

design based purely on experience and

memory but I was not content enough

because uh I'd like to ensure that the

boat is really fit to travel in Open

Seas so while they're building the boat

I also asked the Society of Naval

Architects and uh Maritime Engineers

that the boat we're building is also

technology wise based on science is

really fit to sail on Open Seas and even

ocean sadad and uh they made a h

hydrostatic study on the performance of

the boat because I asked the master

builder Asama delaya what is the draft

how deep is the water for this boat to

float at 2 ft of water it will

float and then I asked the naval

Architects what is the result of your

hydrostatic uh uh study of the boat and

they said that sir at 18 in your boat

will float science has confirmed their

technical capability to build that kind

of

boat in a courtyard of the national

museum art valdez's boat sits Far Away

From the Rough Seas it has journeyed on

18 men accompanied him his friends from

the Mount Everest team Coast Guard and

the Navy but the most indispensable were

the S boat Builders themselves

especially at the time when thease

becomes so rough and they have to tell

me they're quite familiar of the

performance of the

bo the boat is powered by the wind and

stirred by the Stars Celestial

navigation that's how it was and we try

to be as faithful as possible the way

our forefathers said this has been

handed from generation to generation

that would explain why that indeed we're

we're really a maritime people the

mountains the Seas both are equally

demanding environments yet the UGA of

the cordilleras and the S dilaut of Sulu

have mastered these environments or is

mastered really the right word did they

simply and over time study their

environments and make the best of what

they had Without Really Trying To

Conquer anything what other knowledge

systems were born out of a respect for

the environment and what Treasures of

our intangible Heritage did they

[Music]

yield the environment as a source of

music and art but of course among the

palaos the forests and Skies over their

Mountain Homes are inspiration for their

unique music a music that Echoes the

very songs of the birds and the

wind the people of Palawan have no

Monumental structures of architectural

agriculture or

technology the people of Palawan have a

very fine artistic tradition of mat and

basket weaving considered the most

colorful and intricate in the country

their p cup baskets are masterpieces of

delicate painstaking skillful

art and they can be proud of a unique

form of intangible Heritage a language

of music that is a direct response to

Nature it was the renowned

Anthropologist Nicole Revel who studied

the ways of life of the semi nomadic

Palawan her studies revealed the unique

musicology that was inspired by and

responded to the sounds of the

Sheltering

forests in this rare footage the late

gawad manang Bayan or gamaba award

masino inarai demonstrates the complex

Rhythm patterns etched out on the

simplest of

instruments there are so many things

that we can learn from the animist

groups one of the most important is that

the animist that's why they called

animist believe that everything is

animated by the life principle that

means everything is alive rocks water

Earth fire all of these are alive

especially trees the moment you believe

that trees mountains of spirits you'll

be afraid to destroy you'll be afraid to

Lug forest for just for timber because

there are beings inside them once you

lose uh the idea that uh Nature has

Spirit then you will no longer respect

nature when we see what we have done to

our forests our coastlines our

mountains we don't just see crimes

against the

environment by destroying these we have

also taken away from our indigenous

peoples their sources of Life their

identity ities the very sounds of nature

that inspires art as complex as any way

we can

create a collage of images and

connections that is how we've envisioned

da a mountain range in its Terraces the

Sea and the vessels that ride its waves

a forest and the music that both nature

and man create all we show how

indigenous peoples in different

environments all over the archipelago

have developed not only survival skills

and Technologies but a vital art as well

a true source of Dao our knowledge our

[Music]

[Music]

pride

[Music]

[Applause]

[Music]

B

[Music]

[Applause]

[Music]

[Applause]

[Music]

he