1st of a two-part series
ON THE morning of Wednesday, August 23, 2023, I had the opportunity to meet the forest warriors – the Bagobo Klata tribe – as I was part of a mission at a well-known mall here in Davao, extending their efforts to support the tribe as they celebrated the Kadayawan Festival.
My heart was elated throughout the experience, knowing that this celebration is one we can take immense pride in. It made me appreciate our rich cultural heritage even more, reaffirming that it's truly worth celebrating and preserving.
It led me to ponder: is their culture genuinely thriving, or is it merely surviving in this modern world? This is where my role comes into play – to fully immerse myself and seek answers that can either validate or challenge this perception.
Before delving into finding answers to these questions, I took the initiative to get to know their cultures and traditions better. Coincidentally, this year's winner of Hiyas sa Kadayawan 2023, Kristine Claire Tar, is a member of the Bagobo Klata tribe, and I had the opportunity to speak with her and ask her about their dynamic tribe.
The rich culture of Bagobo Klata
Tar described the Bagobo Klata as an ethnic group or tribe that stands out due to their distinctive culture and historical home range. It differentiates itself with a unique dialect that is not spoken by the other two sub-tribes of the Bagobo ethnic group — the Bagobo-Tagabawa and the Obu-Manuvu. Although they share common traditions, rituals and sociopolitical institutions with the two.
The Davao River to the north, the Lipadas River to the south, the current border between North Cotabato and Davao City to the west, and Davao City to the east define the Bagobo-Klata area.
“If you Immerse yourself in our tribe; we have so much to offer gyud (surely). We possess a beautiful culture, and if you look closely, makita gyud nimo daghan gyu’g (you’ll see there are indeed a lot of) unique things among our culture that you would enjoy,” Tar shared
The name "Klata" is derived from the word "klat-tang," which refers to a long bamboo or wooden staircase used in single-post houses. These houses reached heights comparable to full-grown trees, relying on a single sturdy post for support. The "klat-tang" was designed to be easily removed or concealed, rather than permanently attached to the post.
“This design served a specific purpose, especially during nighttime, to thwart potential enemies or intruders with malicious intentions from gaining easy access to the house. It also created the illusion that the household members were absent,” Tar added.
The Bagobo Klata people are recognized as forest dwellers and warriors. They are called forest dwellers because the Klata traditionally lived in the forest. They are also referred to as warriors because in history, when the Spaniards arrived, the Klata tribe was known for their role as warriors who protected their community from the Spaniards.
“Even today, we still have Bagani (warriors) in our community. Some of our Bagani can be found in the rural areas of South Davao, while others have integrated into the city and adopted a more civilized way of life,” Tar said.
Clothing serves as a clear representation of the Bagobos in general, encompassing all three tribes. Among these, the Klata tribe stands out for its vibrant colors, boasting distinct attire characterized by the prominent use of beads and embroidery.
Historically, Bagobo Klata clothing was held in high regard and recognized for its nobility and visual appeal. In fact, Tar mentioned that they were often referred to as warriors, a reflection of their esteemed status within the tribal community.
Despite the world's modernization, the Klata tribe tries to continue to adhere to their culture and traditions as a sign of respect for their heritage. They practice these traditions only on special occasions or important celebrations.
Panubadtubad is a traditional ritual performed at the start of their celebrations. Without exception, they always initiate their festivities with this ritual. Before and after each harvest, a specific ritual is carried out, both of which celebrate the abundance of their harvest.
“Ang ritual mahitabo before harvest it indicates pag guide siya na safe ang harvest kanang bountiful ang harvest and ang after harvest it is a bountiful celebration na gyud. Each ritual naa gyud gina-offer na mga animals like chicken,” she said.
(The ritual when done before the harvest means you ask for guidance for safety, and the harvest to be bountiful, and when done after harvest it means you celebrate the bountiful harvest. For each ritual, we offer animals like chicken.)
As I immersed myself in the heart of their tribe and delved deeper into their culture, I couldn't help but realize the vital significance of their role. Their culture is not merely a heritage to preserve; it's a living tapestry of traditions and wisdom that must endure for generations to come.
Every intricate detail of their way of life, from their vibrant clothing adorned with handcrafted beads and embroidery to their time-honored rituals like Panubadtubad, speaks to the richness of their heritage that deserves our utmost respect and preservation.
The discovery of once-considered last weaver
It was September 4, 2019, a significant milestone was achieved when the one considered the last weaver of the Klata tribe was found. Appo Rita, who was over 90 years old at the time, played a pivotal role in revitalizing the weaving culture of her tribe. She successfully trained her successor to master intricate weaving techniques, ensuring the continuity of this cultural tradition.
The El'lom Association, consisting of Bagobo Klata women, is committed to reviving their declining weaving and bag-making traditions. Their goal is both to preserve the weaving heritage and provide a source of income for the women of the Klata tribe.
The association is putting in efforts to cherish what Appo Rita taught and ensure that her efforts do not go to waste. The El'lom Association is striving to make its products known and appreciated.
Things have changed rapidly, including the production of their traditional products. The association is also encountering challenges not only in terms of manpower but also in sourcing raw materials.
“In our weaving, we are no longer able to obtain natural colors because it has become quite challenging. So, what we do now is purchase ready-made colors to use for our weaving. The way we wear our traditional garments remains the same, but the process of making them has become more modernized,” Tar said.
If you genuinely think and consider these types of cultures and traditions to be valuable, it's not only important to acknowledge and appreciate their tribe, but also to provide the indigenous communities with rich cultural heritage the support and recognition they rightfully deserve.
The death of the weaver, the death of the tribe?
Sad news broke on September 18, 2023, announcing the passing of Appo Rita Agon.
Appo Rita served as the beacon of hope and the guiding light in preserving and reviving Klata culture. She was truly a hero, dedicating herself tirelessly to instructing the Klata community in the intricate art of weaving and binobbod-making. She spent her remaining days imparting her knowledge to the Klata tribe, driven by her desire to pass on this wisdom to the generation and those that will follow.
As the tribe mourns the passing of Appo Rita, Tar believes that their language, which symbolizes their identity, is also dwindling within their community.
"It really affected our tribe in various ways. With modernization, the youth in our tribe no longer know how to speak, and I think that's because of the society or community around us, as they also no longer know how to speak,” Tar believes.
"At the same time, it also has its advantages as it can raise awareness among other people. Because we can't really stop modernization, technology continues to evolve. So within our tribe, we'll just have to evolve alongside these changes. If we remain stagnant, we'll eventually fade away, which is why we need to evolve and keep pace with the changes. We can still practice our culture and traditions while simultaneously adapting to the evolving world,” Kristine added.
In terms of numbers, according to Tar there are many Bagobo Klata in the southern part of Davao. The youth are aware that they are Klata, but some traditions are no longer practiced. Language usage has disappeared from their families. When it comes to traditions and culture, it is feared that they may be forgotten in the face of the modernized world.
“We cannot blame them because their parents are not active in some of our activities in the tribe. That's why we encourage them to take the initiative and actively involve their parents. If it's not their parents who will carry on, then who will it be? It's us, the youth. If we don't learn, who will pass on our cultures and traditions to the next generations? It's us, the youth. It is indeed a challenge for us to learn and not solely rely on the older generation,” Tar said.
As I listened to these words from the Hiyas sa Kadayawan, I realized it is indeed disheartening to learn about the challenges their tribe currently faces. On the other hand, if one were to contemplate it, their tribe is undeniably rich in cultures and traditions. However, this does not conclude my curiosity or my inclination to reflect and inquire further. I was truly captivated after immersing myself in the beauty and richness of Klata culture.
This leads me to wonder: following Appo Rita's passing, is the weaving culture or even the entire Klata tribe at risk of gradually fading away? (To be continued)