INDIGENOUS PEOPLE/TRIBES IN LUZON

42

INDIGENOUS
PEOPLE IN
SOUTHERN
LUZON

43

ITAWES

TRIBE

PREPARED BY: JOANNA MARIE BAGTAS

44
FOOD PREPARATION/

PRESERVATION TECHNIQUE




They take the term “food for the soul” quite literally. In this case, the food is nothing
else but their main produce as an agricultural land: rice. Similar to suman, the rice
cake, or dekat in Itawit, is made from glutinous rice steamed in a banana leaf. To
complement that dekat is the issi or laro, a sweet syrup made from coconut sugar
syrup and curdled coconut cream. Locals say the rice cake symbolizes the “Body and
blood of Christ," the dekat being the body and the issi as the blood. On the other
hand, some would also call it “Dila ni Hudas” as a reference to how Jesus Christ’s
blood was shed after Judas betrayed him with a kiss.

AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES




They still use traditional tools and equipment in planting and harvesting grains.
The rice farmers are practicing their traditional animistic beliefs for good luck and
thanksgiving for their good harvest. Also, participants are hesitant to adopt the use
of the modernized machines in rice farming due to lack of financial capabilities and

low skills in terms of technological competence.

45
AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES




DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DIFFERENT TOOLS UTILIZED BY
ITAWES FARMERS

46

HERBAL MEDICINE/MEDICAL
PRACTICES

Guava is their traditional remedy for a

number of ailments. Preliminary research
suggests that compounds in guava leaf extract
may have a positive effect on a range of
illnesses and symptoms, including menstrual
cramps, diarrhea, the flu, diabetes, and cancer.

Building Houses

The typical Itawes house distinguishes itself from the rest of other Filipino houses
from its unique features; the Patagguab/Balkon, main house, the Duba, Batalan
and the Kusina. Materials used are hardwood species like Madre De Cacao as post,
Pasingan bamboos as main construction materials, woven Vulu for walls and
windows and Cogon grass or nipa for roofing and bamboos as floors.

47

BUGKALOT

TRIBE

PREPARED BY: JOANNA MARIE BAGTAS

48

FOOD PREPARATION/ PRESERVATION
TECHNIQUE

Swidden agriculture, also known as
shifting cultivation, is one of the
major economic activities of the
Bugkalot. They grow crops that are
harvested and sold to lowlanders.
Eating “bugas mais” or rice corn is
the best substitute for rice for them
and also they dried corn for
preservation

AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES

Bugkalot women dominate the spectrum of
rice production in Wasid. Women are relied
upon to select the best seeds from the batch
of bundled panicles based on the relative
weights of similar bundles. The task of seed
selection is left to the women because they are
considered more sensitive to slight differences
in weight. Bugkalot men have become so used
to carrying heavy weights that they have
become less sensitive to small variations in
their load. Moreover, Bugkalot women also
monitor the rice stocks held in storage. While
they must ensure that the household has food
every day, women are responsible in making
sure that seeds are available for the next
planting.

49

METALLURGICAL
WORKS

(WEAPONRY/ORNAMENTS)

Bugkalot are known for having decorative elements such as a headdress
made of horn bill, shell, wire, rattan and hair; bracelet and necklace made of
brass, beads and mother of pearl; men's ear pendants made of hornbill, discs
of shell, beads and brass; earrings made of shell, brass and beads; hair
ornament; and a pendant made of Japanese coins, brass, aluminum and glass.

50

HERBAL MEDICINE/MEDICAL
PRACTICES


They made use of dawag for

contusions, rheumatic
arthritis, cough, cut, and
malaria. Aside from it, they
also utilized yacon for
hyperglycemia, blood
purifier, and fertility
emhancer.

Building Houses

Along with the Agta or Dumagat
people, they were among the first
inhabitants of the forests of Quirino,
Nueva Vizcaya and Aurora provinces
who initially built their houses on trees
as protection from their enemies. Their
lifestyle is generally interwoven as can
be seen in the way they build their
houses which must be interwoven with
rattan.

51

BATAK

TRIBE

PREPARED BY: JULIUS VERANA

52

FOOD PREPARATION/
PRESERVATION TECHNIQUE




Batak cuisines retain its indigenous
Austronesian cooking traditions;
such as cooking meats (especially
pork) along with its blood.

AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES




For the Batak, this species indicates the pangras zone, where they do
most of their farming. Its presence in old fallows suggests there will

be few weeds in a cleared swidden

53

METALLURGICAL WORKS

(WEAPONRY/ORNAMENTS)

The Batak used many
methods to capture animals
like pigs with the use of
bows and arrows or "sibat".

HERBAL MEDICINE/MEDICAL PRACTICES



The most powerful members of a
Batak community are ritual
specialists, known as datu. They are
experts in religion, and are most
often members of the village’s
founding family. A datu’s most
important possession is his ritual
staff, made of special wood that
symbolizes the tree of life.

Building Houses

Batanes is surrounded by major bodies of
water including the South China Sea and
the Pacific Ocean, hence it doesn’t have a
very stable climate. The Ivatan houses are
made of metre-thick limestone and coral
walls as well as cogon grass roofs, and
they are sturdy enough to withstand
strong winds.

54

INDIGENOUS
PEOPLE IN
BICOL
REGIONS

55

TABANGO
N

TRIBE

PREPARED BY: CARLO SUPAN

56

FOOD PREPARATION/ PRESERVATION
TECHNIQUE

Bicol's tabangon tribe has
been nomadic for
generations. For their
daily consumption, they
produce crops and
veggies.

AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES

The Agta- Tabangon tribe in Coyao-yao, Tigaon, Camarines Sur is a
community of indigenous people who had abandoned their former
nomadic way of life and opted tosettle in a permanent location. Slowly
they are embracing the modern way of life, new farming techniques
and new livelihood opportunities.

57

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