INDIGENOUS VISUAL ARTS

Indigenous Art Traditions Group 2

Evolution of Art Forms

  • Ancient traditions evolved and adapted to the changing social environment and physical surroundings.

  • Art serves both functional and decorative purposes with techniques like:

    • Molding

    • Weaving

    • Carving

    • Casting

  • Many designs reflect natural beliefs linked to appeasing spirits through symbolic items and rituals.

Cultural Influences on Filipino Art

  • Influenced by various cultural traditions:

    • Oceanic traditions from Polynesia (tattooing, wood carving)

    • Animism, Indian Hindu-Buddhism, Chinese, and Arabic-Islamic cultures before the 16th century.

  • Cultural exchanges occurred across southern Japan, Ryukyu Islands, and northern Philippines, fostering similarities in pottery and weaving.

Indigenous Wood Carving

  • Rooted in Southeast Asian Malay traditions, particularly the Okir art of the Maranao and Tausug.

  • Key designs:

    • Sarimanok: Symbol of the human spirit.

    • Burraq: A half-animal figure related to Islamic lore.

  • Motifs showcase a blend of indigenous and Islamic influences expanded post-13th century.

Islamic Influence During Colonization

  • Following Spain's colonization, the first Muslim sultanate was established in Sulu, embedding Islam in Southern Philippine culture.

  • Islamic art includes:

    • Mosques with minarets

    • Calligraphic inscriptions from the Quran

    • Brassware for ritual vessels (kendi, gadur)

  • Notable structures and artifacts illustrate Islamic influence in local art forms.

Impact of the American Period

Persistence of Indigenous Practices

  • Traditional wood carving, metalcraft, and embroidery persisted despite Spanish influence, merging indigenous techniques with Western art styles during events like fiestas and Holy Week.

  • American colonizers imposed a narrative portraying indigenous groups as 'uncivilized' while seeking to change their ways of life.

  • Cash-crop economy displacing indigenous textile plants and weaving traditions.

  • WWII bombings devastated traditional lands; introduction of industrial cotton altered local practices.

  • Migration to Mindanao spurred intermarriage but also ethnic tensions impacting indigenous art and culture.

Post-World War II and Contemporary Issues

  • Filipino governments exacerbated ethnic divisions with majority-versus-minority narratives.

  • Market economy commodified indigenous art into tourist souvenirs, complicating relationships between ethnolinguistic groups and national identity.

  • Indigenous People's Rights Act of 1997 enables Lumad communities to assert their land and cultural rights.

  • State initiatives promote traditional arts, recognizing and supporting artisans while preserving knowledge.

Pottery

Maitum Burial Jars

  • Notable for anthropomorphic designs resembling human figures, reflecting deceased individuals.

  • Displaying sex-specific forms indicating gender distinctions in burial rituals.

Manunggul Jar

  • Used in secondary burial practices, showcasing beliefs in the afterlife.

  • Notable for its lid depicting two figures illustrating the soul's journey, common among early Filipinos.

Kalinga Pottery

  • Vibrant within Kalinga culture, integrating history, beliefs, and land connection into functional vessels.

Tapayan

  • Large jars used for multiple purposes (fermenting, storing, cooking).

Ifugao Contributions

  • Bulol: Stylized wooden figure crucial in rice culture rituals.

  • Hagabi: A prominent wooden bench signifying status and power.

Okir Carvings

  • Refers to carved forms in Maranao art, marking graves with limestone tombstones.

Decorative Motifs

  • Sarimanok: Bird depicted in various forms.

  • Naga: Mythical serpent design.

  • Pako Rabong: Stylized fern.

Panolong

  • Decorative beams in Maranao houses signifying prestige and power.

Additional Art Forms

Kulintang

  • Musical instrument used in various celebrations and events.

T’nalak

  • Traditional fabric from T’boli culture, intricately woven from abaca.

Kris and Barong

  • Iconic blades of Filipino culture, intertwined with social significance.

Conclusion

  • Contemporary artists are rediscovering and collaborating with ethnic traditions, fostering lively exchanges that revitalize Filipino cultural identity through art.