THE National Commission for Culture and the Arts recently concluded its celebration of National Indigenous Peoples Month through the Dayaw Cultural Outreach Program 2022.
Before the Mindanao leg of the celebration which was held in Koronadal City, South Cotabato, Dayaw was also celebrated in Luzon held at the Luneta Park and then in Bacolod City.
Present during the two-day festivities in Koronadal and Lake Sebu were NCCA Southern Cultural Communities and Traditional Arts Commissioner Abubakar Datumanong and NCIP Ethnographic Commissioner Bae Jennifer Pia Sing-Las, aside from cultural workers from other parts of Mindanao. The Cultural Masters and some young learners from the Sangir and Blaan School of Living Traditions of Balut Island were also there to join in the discussions and showcase their traditional arts through music and dance.
Officially known as the School of Living Traditions (SLT) Blaan and Sangir of Davao Occidental, it is the adopted community of Add Peace Mindanao, a non-government organization that advocates peace by supporting different Indigenous Cultural Communities, among others. Add Peace Mindanao, through their Chairperson Ms. Jai Cawa, has been recognized by the NCCA Sub-commission on Cultural Communities and Traditional Arts as its supporting organization. The SLT has cultural masters that teach the young members of their communities the traditional arts, specifically mat and basket weaving, cuisine and performing arts through music and dance. Because of this, the traditional practices will be nurtured and preserved. This can also be one of their sources of income since they also sell the products that they have made themselves. Their products have been featured in different trade fairs all over the country.
It is also noteworthy to mention that the Philippines and its 28 SLTs from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao have received a recognition during the 16th Session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Paris, France. They were given global recognition by including the SLTs in the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO) Register of Good Safeguarding Practices.
The Dayaw 2022 was an avenue for cluster heads to discuss matters that are significant to the growth and preservation of their communities. Topics mainly about peace, sustainability and ancestral rights were on top of the list. The participants came from different clusters namely Maguindanaon/Iranun cluster, Tausug cluster, Yakan cluster, Subanen cluster, Teduray/Arumanon cluster, T’boli cluster, Blaan/Sangir cluster and Maranao cluster. The learners were also given the opportunity to share their traditional performing arts through music and dance.
They gave performances in different venues: The Provincial Capitol of South Cotabato Gym, Green Valley College Foundation Inc., Lake Sebu Municipal Gym and finally during the Solidarity Night held at the Acacia Hall of the Paraiso Verde Resort in Koronadal City. The Blaan learners headed by their Senior Cultural Master, Marly Beth Aguil performed the Maral, which is the basis of all other dances performed during rituals and celebrations. The learners of Sangir Senior Cultural Master, Amidan Colano, performed the Palandagoh. It is a dance depicting two (2) warriors fighting for the love and attention of a Sangir woman.
Dayaw 2022, organized by the NCCA, was instrumental in inspiring the young learners to embrace their culture and traditions even more. It was heartwarming for them to meet and bond with their fellow learners from different SLTs all over Mindanao. They shared with each other their thoughts, fears and triumphs. During the Solidarity Night, they promised each other to work harder in preserving their culture and traditions, no matter how difficult it is. The Cultural Masters were assured that the hard work they have given is not put to naught.
