THE National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) led the celebration of the National Indigenous Peoples’ Month this October with Dayaw Suroy.

Dayaw Suroy (Suroy, a Bisaya term for stroll) highlights the richness of the cultural communities and native tradition through a media caravan in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

Bacolod City is one of its several stops which started in San Fernando City and Baguio City in Luzon, Iloilo in Visayas, with Davao City and Zamboanga city later this month.

This year, IP month banners the theme “Vital Wisdoms: Learning with the Indigenous Peoples” (Buháy na Dunong: Pagkatuto Kasama Ang Mga Katutubo).

“Vital Wisdoms” refer specifically to Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) grouped into five domains by UNESCO, namely: oral traditions and expressions; performing arts; social practices, rituals and festive events; knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe; and traditional craftsmanship.

Rather than adopting the notion of “learning from,” which conjures up “unidirectionality and exotic others” spins, the theme espouses “learning with,” which marks learning as a social relational process.

At the same time, it considers the diverse positionalities and agenda among actors, be they IPs or non-IPs, involved in conversations on ICH in the Philippine context.

Alphonsus Tesoro, head of the NCCA Subcommission on Cultural Communities and Traditional Arts (SCCTA) said it is important to enjoin all sectors in celebrating the National Indigenous Peoples’ Month.

“The government is recognizing the significant roles, participation and contributions of the indigenous communities in nation building,” Tesoro added.

The month-long celebration will be highlighted with anational conferencecalled “Kálkalí,” which means “conversation” in Kankana-ey on October 28 to 29 at the Maryhill School of Theology in Quezon City. (PR)