Tuesday, November 04, 2008 Streams of Ethnicity By Ritchie Landis Doner Quijano
INDIGENOUS peoples’ month is celebrated every October. And to mark the event there used to be exhibits, programs and campaigns that promoted the current issues and concerns of our native brothers.
And the showcase of ethnic cultures from different tribes in the country was in the forefront of the celebration. That was how it used to be.
October has passed and nothing important happened. Well, no one complained but at least it’s now all clear that our government has other priorities; and local culture, the natives and the alleviation of tribal communities are not on top of the list.
I wonder why the government spends too little in creating an awareness that highlights the very root of Filipino culture and the local tribes who are our living connection to our pre-Hispanic past.
Anyway, I still believe that if the native tribes can survive over the centuries in a country that has detached government, our tribal brothers can outlast and outlive the government.
The tribes, though hidden away in the far-flung territories of the country, have in a way inspired and influenced modern society.
We now see much native consciousness around us. The return to nature living and other “natural” philosophies are seen as ”cool.”
Native designs are incorporated in architecture and fashion. In art we are seeing a steady stream of ethnicity. Not only in
the depiction of the indigenous way of life but also in the utilization of native materials as medium.
Here are a few fine examples. The artwork of Jordan Mang-osan is a classic example of ethnographic painting.
Entitled “Peace Talk,” it is a literal and pictorial representation of a tribal council using native symbolism and decorative patterns.
Most heavy on patterns, which is typical in tribal design, the mixed media painting “Gloria In Excelsis” by Dexter Sy appears like a native weave, print or tapestry.
The artwork “Bantay…Salakay” by Wilson Belarmino is different for using indigenous materials making the work both environmental and transformational.
Look out for these streams out there and you’ll find native culture is still very much alive in the midst of contemporary life and culture.
Just in case you bump into a member of a cultural minority, like the Badjaos, in the streets just be kind to them.
And here’s hoping that you’ll realize that the natives—tribes, indigenous people, ethnic minority or whatever you want to call them—actually look more Filipino than we do.
