Kali: A book on women
WOMEN and their voices have been highlighted in a collaborative book.
Kali: Cordillera Women’s Voices, themed Cordillera Women’s Perseverance in the Struggle for Land, Rights and Dignity, was launched December 14, by indigenous women human rights defenders in the Cordillera, their families and advocates.
The collection includes poems, songs, stories, artwork and collaborative compositions is about the diverse issues confronting women from disadvantaged sectors and their situation as they persevere in the struggle to protect and defend land, life, rights and dignity.
This anthology also reveals the current crisis brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic, and how this has made the women’s lives even more challenging.
Cynthia Dacanay-Jaramillo, executive director of Cordillera Women’s Education Action Research Center, Inc. [CWEARC] led the launching and said through this publication, they hope to honor the women of the Cordillera who continue to exercise and protect their rights as women and as indigenous peoples amidst present circumstances and challenges.
“This is also CWEARC’s humble contribution to the global campaign to end violence against women,” Dacanay-Jaramillo.
The book, according to its editors, Abigail Anongos and Milagros Ao-wat, is a creative and artistic way of transmitting particular or shared sentiments and aspirations that have always been part of the traditional lifeways of Cordillera indigenous peoples.
Cordillera heritage is replete with songs, chants and stories such as Daddad-at, Uggayam, Ullalim, Salidummay, Kullilipan and Hudhud depicting peoples’ lives and struggles.
“Through the years, publishing Kali: Voices of Cordillera Women has been the humble contribution of the Cordillera Women’s Education, Action Research Center (CWEARC) to such practice. This edition of Kali is by indigenous women human rights defenders (WHRDs) in the Cordillera, their families and advocates who, through the years, have gained an understanding of Cordillera women’s hopes and aspirations such that they have dedicated themselves to standing by and struggling with the WHRDs and their communities,” the two editors added.
Anongos and Ao-wat said the collection of poems, songs, stories, arts and collaborative literary compositions is about the diverse issues that confront women from disadvantaged sectors and their unsettling situations as they persevere in the struggle to protect and defend land, life, rights and dignity. This anthology also reveals the current crisis brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic, and how this has made the women’s lives even more challenging. Their literary pieces and artwork present how women grapple against restrictions imposed by the State, making ends meet and sustain simple necessities of their families while guarding against the health impact of the virus.
“Women have drawn strength and courage from each other, bonding together through their organizations. They have gained deeper knowledge, understanding and skills in analyzing issues. They are collectively taking actions with their communities and joining hands with other sectors to effect changes and challenge the status quo that perpetuates the historic and unjust system they face. They create relevant literature, stories, songs and visual arts inspired by forebears that now inspire others to fight for their rights and well-being. These creative practices have contributed to sustaining generations of people to resist and overcome adversities and challenges they relentlessly confront,” the editor’s note read.
CWEARC draws inspiration from these brave and valiant women. It is from them that we cultivate initiatives that hone their potentials as leaders, organizers, educators, trainers and as human rights defenders. Our work can only be meaningful if it advances initiatives that put forward the hopes and ideals of those in the margins of society. Women’s anthologies are part of undertakings to propagate wisdom that promotes changes women desire for their sectors and communities.
The need to reclaim the fast-eroding traditions that sustain communal endeavors and positive value systems are then of utmost importance. The renewal of Cordillera indigenous peoples’ rich cultural heritage and sustained efforts to nurture and pass on precious knowledge and skills from elders to youth will keep these valuable traditions alive. These endeavors persist in fostering hopes among our people in shaping the future we aspire for — a society that is just, humane, egalitarian, sustainable and self-determining that will benefit our children and generations to come.