Philippine CultureA Cultural Anthropology Perspective

Prof. Emily Comedis for DLSAU Culture and Arts Week Feb. 22, 2013 1330 at Osmea Hall

Figure 1-1 The Subdivisions of AnthropologyThe four major subdisciplines of anthropology (in bold letters) may be classified according to subject matter (physical or cultural) hand according to the period with which each is concerned (distant past versus recent past and present). There are applications of anthropology in all four subdisciplines.Fields of Anthropology

The Anthropological PerspectiveTo make the strange familiar, and the familiar strange( Strangeness, the unfamiliar is scary and can lead to misguided feelings of anger and hate, which may eventually lead to warfare and death.)Most interpersonal or inter-group conflicts are caused by a lack of understanding.Discovering similarities between ones own culture and that of others leads to more harmonious relationships.

Kan Ghu Ru = We dont understand!

*Some anthropological findings are funny only in retrospect because when cultures first interact, there are bound to be mistakes.

One of the earliest and most famous mistakes was when Christopher Columbus named Native Americans Indians because he thought he had come to India. These two photos illustrate one of many cultural differences even 500 years later.*

How Baguio City got its name?Legend has it that when the Americans reached Kafagway (Baguio City) they asked the natives for the name of the place while pointing to the soil. Not understanding what they were saying, the Ibalois gave the name of the mossy flowering plant that covered the ground "bag-iw, which the Americans pronounced "bag-i-yo."

Iow, language is essential.In the Philippines, there are between 120 and 175 dialects, depending on the method of classification. Four dialects no longer have any known speakers. Almost all the Philippine dialects belong to the Austronesian language family. Of all of these , only 2 are considered official languages in the country while (as of 2010) about 12 are considered official auxiliary.

In Asian Am. communities, the most common slurs are not such terms as Chink or Jap, but FOB (Fresh Off the Boat) or white-washed, meaning too assimilated.

In Philippines, we have amboy, Chinoy. A Twinkie is a person yellow on the outside, white on the inside.Native Americans call other Indians Apples if they are red on the outside but white on the inside. African Americans call other Blacks Oreos if they judge them to be brown on the outside but white on the inside.*Common Ethnic Metaphors Based on the Colors of RED, YELLOW, and BROWN.

Cultural AnthropologyCultural anthropology is concerned with how and why cultures vary or are similar in the past and present.

The Three Branches of Cultural Anthropology are:ArchaeologyLinguisticsEthnology

Cultural AnthropologySometimes known as ethnology, cultural anthropology examines contemporary societies and cultures throughout the world.Participant observation:EthnographyEthnographic data

Scattered thoughts about Cultural AnthropologyIts holistic (as opposed to atomistic or narrow)Its comparativeEtic (from outsiders vantage point)Emic (from an insiders vantage pointPerspectives run the gamut from relativism to ethnocentrismYou will get your hands dirty (fieldwork)

Culture consists of1. Learned concepts and behavior 2. Underlying perspectives (worldview)3. Resulting products nonmaterial (customs and rituals) material (artifacts)

Chuck Krafts definitionCulture is a complex, integrated coping mechanism.

Value of AnthropologyIndividualThe study of different cultures provides a better understanding of ones own culture and develops valuable leadership skills.SocietalUnderstanding different cultures can contribute to the solution of pressing societal problems.

The Relevance of AnthropologyIn order to understand humans, it is essential that we study humans in all times and places.Anthropological studies can illustrate why other people are the way they are, both culturally and physically.

Goals of Anthropology To eliminate ethnocentrism.To promote socio-cultural change.To give people a voice.To educate non-indigenous people.

EthnocentrismEthnocentrism is the idea that one persons culture is superior to other cultures.Eliminating these attitudes is one of the primary goals of anthropology in general.

Sociocultural change

Cultural Change

To educate non-indigenous people of indigenous culture.A Kayapo chieftain wears the traditional botoque through his lower lip. The plate is made out of balsa wood, and is a sign of courage meant to frighten the enemy. An Igorot chieftain wears the traditional Igorot clothes.

Defining culture Philip Bock What makes you a stranger when youre away from homeRuth Benedict learned patternsCharles Kraft Complex, integrated coping mechanismBob Sjogren -- What makes us us and them them

Culture is what makes you a stranger when you are away from home

Viewing culture as successive levels Diagram by Lloyd Kwast

What makes up a culture?What are those learned patterns and behaviors?

Cultural Universals

George Murdocks 70 cultural universals

1. Place and time

2. Family life

3. Economics

4. Food, clothing, shelter and transportationSee note

Note: Drives vs. cultureHunger is a basic human psycho-biological drive. How that hunger is satisfied involves all kinds of cultural things (what is eaten, how it is prepared, how it is eaten . . .).

5. Communication

6. Government

7. Arts and recreation

8. Education

9. Quest for the supernatural

Indigenous Group : LuzonPhoto by: Jacob MaentzAgta; Aeta; Ayta

Aeta

CultureAeta in hunting.Photo by Sammy de Leon

LuzonAgta; Ayta; AetaAgta CagayanAgta CasiguranAetaPakkak GadangPugotNegritos (Pinatubo)Who? The Aeta people in the Philippines are Australo-Melanesians. Today other groups of Australo-Melanesians are the Aborigines in Australia, Papuans and the Melanesians of the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Fiji, New Caledonia etc.

AgtaArt A traditional form of visual art is body scarification. The Aetas intentionally wound the skin on their back, arms, breast, legs, hands, calves and abdomen, and then they irritate the wounds with fire, lime and other means to form scars.Clothing Today most Aeta who have been in contact with lowlanders have adopted the T-shirts, pants and rubber sandals commonly used by the latter.

Cordillera-IgorotBontocBontoc

Cordillera-IgorotIsnegBontoc

Banawe Rice Terreces

Igorots

Northern Cordilleran Ilocano (Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur)Isneg (northern Apayao Province)Gaddang (Nueva Vizcaya and Isabela)Ibanagic Ibanag (Cagayan and Isabela)Itawis (Southern Cagayan)Yogad (Isabela)

Central CordilleranKalingaItneg Kalinga (Kalinga Province)Itneg (Abra Province)Nuclear Balangao (eastern Mountain Province)Bontok (central Mountain Province)Kankanaey (western Mountain Province, northern Benguet

Cordillera-IgorotSouthern Cordilleran Ilongot (eastern Nueva Vizcaya, western Quirino)Pangasinan (Pangasinan)Ibaloi (southern Benguet Province)IgorotIgorot is the collective name of several Austronesian ethnic groups from the Cordillera, Northern Luzon. They inhabit the six provinces of Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Kalinga, Ifugao, Mt. Province; plus the lone city of Baguio.

CultureTattoosThey formerly practiced head-hunting and had distinctive body tattoos. The Bontoc describe three types of tattoos:TattoosThe chak-lag, the tattooed chest of the head taker; pong-o, the tattooed arms of men and women; and fa-tk, for all other tattoos of both sexes. Women were tattooed on the arms only.

IgorotIgorot in TattooIgorot in tattoo

Mindoro and PalawanMindoroAlanganBuhidHanunooTadyawanTaubuidIrayaRatagnonPalawanBatakPalawanTagbanwaTautbatu

MangyanMindoroMangyan is the generic name for the eight indigenous groups found in the Philippine island of Mindoro, each with its own tribal name, language, and customs.MangyanThe ethnic groups from north to south of the island are: Iraya, Alangan, Tadyawan, Tawbuid (called Batangan by lowlanders), Buhid, Hanunoo. An additional group on the south coast is labelled Ratagnon.

Mindoro and Palawan (Mangyan)MindoroPalawan

MangyanMangyanMangyan

A member of the Mangyan tribe aims his spear during a "Sibat" throwing

MangyanMangyanMangyan

Palawan-TagbanuaPalawanThe Tagbanwa or Tagbanua, one of the oldest ethnic groups in the Philippines, can be mainly found in the central and northern Palawan. Tagbanwa are possible descendants of the Tabon Man.Central Tagbanua are found in the western and eastern coastal areas of central Palawan. They are concentrated in the municipalities of Aborlan, Quezon, Puerto Princesa.

Palawan- TagbanuaTagbanuaCalamian Tagbanwa, on the other hand, are found in Baras coast, Busuanga Island, Coron Island and in some parts of El Nido.

Arts and CraftsThe traditional costumes of the Tagbanwa were fashioned from the bark of trees, particularly the salugin. The preparation of this bark was unique.

Palawan: TagbanuaTagbanuaTagbanua

TagbanuaTagbanuaTagbanua

Tagbanua

Visayas- AtiAtiAti are scattered in Western Visayas in the provinces of Aklan, Capiz, Antique, Iloilo, Guimara, Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental. AtiThe biggest population settled in Nagpana, barangay Lipata, Barutac Viejo (lloilo). Other bigger groups are found in Hanti (Antique), Malay (Aklan), and Lambunao (lloilo). The total population is 63,654 (OSCC, 1987)

Visayas-AtiAtiAtis practices animism. They believe in the existence of Kalosonin (spirit of the forest) and the aswang(witch). They hold a unique wedding rite on top of a hill. The bride is made to run fast one hundred meters away from the groom. AtiThey have retained their dialect with traces of the ancient terms of "Kinaray-a" and dialects of the present time "Hiligaynon".

Visayas AtiAti

VisayasAtiAti

Visayas-HamtikanonHamtikanonHamtikanon/Kiniray-a known also as Antiqueo, Hantik, and Hantikanon, they are concentrated in the municipalities of San Jose (36,902), T. Fornier (24,254), Culasi (27,915), and Bugasong (23,767). HamtikanonIn the province of Antique, they number some 369,872. The total national population is about 529,285 (NSO 1990).

VisayasHamtikanonHamtikanon

Visayas-MagahatMagahatThe Magahats are also known as the Ati-Man and Bukidnon. There are concentrations of Magahats found in southwestern Negros, Santa Catalina, Bayawan, and Siaton in Negros Oriental; and in Negros Occidental. MagahatTheir language is a mixture of Hiligaynon and Sugbuhanon.Magahats practice swidden agriculture, because their settlements are in mountainous areas. They are food gatherers and good hunters as well.

VisayasMagahatMagahat

VisayasSulodSulodthe term "sulod" meaning "interior" or "closed place". They are also called "montesses" by lowlanders, meaning literally "mountain dwellers." To distinguish them from the Ati who live in the foothills.

VisayasMolbogMolbogThe Molbogs probably migrated from North Borneo. They might be related to the Orang Tidung pr Tirum, an Islamized indigenous group found in the northeastcoast of Sabah since they have similar dialect and socio-cultural practices.

Visayas-MolbogMolbogHowever, some Sama and Tausug words are incorporated in the Molbog dialect. There are also differences in their socio-cultural life that separates them from the Orang Tidung.MolbogThe Molbog's livelihood is composed of farming and fishing. They also barter with the nearby Sulu Bangsamoro and Sabah.

VisayasBagobo tribeMolbog tribe

Mindanao - MangwangaMangwangaThe Mandaya are a complex group (Mangwanga, Mangrangan, Managosan, Magosan, Pagsupan, Divavaonon, Dibabaon, Mansaka) and can be found in Davao Oriental province where there is a population of some 22,000 (NSO 1980). Traditionally, each domain has a headman, bagani, whose word is considered law and who wears distinctive clothing. His rule is tempered by an advisory council, angtutukay, usually composed of elders in the community. With the disappearance of the bagani structure at present the civil structures of the barangay prevails.

MindanaoMangwangaBagobo tribe

Mindanao-MandayaThe Mandaya/Mansaka are famous for their distinctive dress and ornamentation.

Mindanao

Mindanao- ManoboThe Manobo cluster includes eight groups: the Cotabato Manobo, Agusan Manobo, Dibabawon Manobo, Matig Salug Manobo, Sarangani Manobo, Manobo of Western Bukidnon, Obo Manobo, and Tagabawa Manobo. Social life for the Manobo is patriarchal, or male-dominated. The head of the family is the husband. Polygyny (having more than one wife at a time) is common, and is allowed according to a man's wealth. However, among the Bukidnon, most marriages are monogamous. The only exception is that of the powerful datus, or headmen.

Mindanao

Mindanao - BadjaoThe Badjao are popularly known as "Sea Gypsies" of the Sulu and Celebes Sea. The name "Badjao" is a Malay-Bornean word which connotes "man of the seas" or Orang-Laut in Bahasa Malayo. Their Sama and Tausug neighbors call them by pejorative names such as Samal Palau (outcast Samal). The Badjaos are oppressed tribe. They are referred to as palao or lumaan (God forsaken) by the Tausugs. Badjaos developed an inferiority attitude towards the Tausugs and the Samals who always look down on them.

Badjao

Thought for the day: I personally prepared this for my Anthropology Class, hoping that they will learn to cherish the moment I shared them indigenous culture. Emily Comedis As you age naturally, your family shows more and more on your face. If you deny that, you deny your heritage. Frances Conroy

Howard Culbertson, Southern Nazarene UniversityPearson Education 2011Indigenous People in the Philippines ( Comm. On Ind. People)

Reference

**Anthropology is concerned with understanding the other. Power dynamics.*******************