Module 4 Topic 2 Part 2 - Natural Dimension of the Cordillera IPs' Worldviews(2)

Part 2: Natural Dimension of Baguio and Benguet’s Ibalois’ Worldview

Overview of Indigenous Worldviews

  • Focus on the natural dimension of Ibalois' worldview and the brief narrative of Kalinga and Abra worldviews.

  • Use of key texts such as Indigenous Earth Wisdom: A Documentation of the Cosmologies of the Indigenous Peoples of the Cordillera.

Importance of Land: Doakan

  • Geographical Names: Original names of the mountains: Pidawan, Boken, Kangisi, Sadjo, Mohiyat, Maridit.

  • Richness of the Land: Known for food crops (e.g., bananas, camotes) and various vegetables.

  • Naming and Navigation: Specific locations identified for timber, swidden farms, water sources, and gardens.

Ancestral Legacy and Responsibilities

  • Elders' Wisdom: Stories emphasizing care and management of natural resources passed down generations.

  • Clans' Connection: The clans of Chacchacan, Bayeng, Bogan are responsible for caring for the mountains.

  • Spiritual Significance: The mountain is a maternal figure, vital for sustenance and spiritual practices.

Natural Dimension of the Cordillera IPs’ Worldviews

Conceptual Framework

  • Defining natural dimension: people's notion of nature, their attitudes towards it, and impact on their lives (Jocano, 2001).

  • Selected readings discuss aspects of Cordillera IPs’ worldviews.

Learning Outcomes

  1. Understanding of Cordillera IPs' land concept and changing attitudes.

  2. Appreciation of indigenous resource management, aligning with UN SDG 15.

Key Concepts

  • Indigenous Land Rights: Including communal and individual rights, legal pluralism, and tenurial rules.

  • Muyong System: Traditional resource management rooted in indigenous practices.

Caring for the Mountain

Importance of Environmental Stewardship

  • Caring for Trees: Preservation of small trees as vital resources; preventing fires to protect biodiversity.

  • Resources Provided by Mountains: Lumber for homes, firewood, and ecological balance.

Relationship with Nature

  • Encounters with Wildlife: Importance of preserving habitats for birds and other wildlife.

  • Cultural Practices: The idea that respecting nature leads to harmony and community well-being.

Water Sources

  • Value of Clean Springs: Springs provide vital drinking water; historical significance and changes over time.

  • Pollution Factors: Impact of development (e.g., EPZA) on water sources.

Flora and Fauna of the Mountains

Wild Plants and Herbs

  • Diverse Plant Species: Description of useful and edible plants (e.g., balokok, banabel) and their significance in culture.

  • Culinary and Medicinal Uses: Importance of plants for both nutrition and traditional medicine.

Cultural and Historical Context

Connection to Land and Heritage

  • Generational Transitions: Continuity of land responsibility from ancestors to descendants.

  • Community Practices: Sharing of resources, collaboration in farming, and cultural rituals.

Stewardship vs. Ownership

  • Concept of Land Stewardship: Indigenous perspective sees land as a living entity requiring nurture and respect.

  • Displacement and Land Grabbing: Historical encroachments (e.g., airport construction in Baguio) impacting indigenous lands and rights.

Conclusion: Indigenous Knowledge and Global Recognition

Sustaining Traditional Practices

  • Importance of Indigenous Knowledge: Recognition of traditional ecological knowledge's role in biodiversity conservation by organizations like UN Convention on Biological Diversity.

  • Cultural Resilience: Continued fight against displacement by large development projects, affirming the spiritual and practical significance of the land to the indigenous peoples.