December 2017
Something to watch out for in 2018 - The Diminishing Aeta Culture …
Our vision is derived from the concept of sustainable development and aims to re-build the forest and replace resources that are both natural and human made in equal or greater value without degrading or endangering the natural forest system. Instead, we aim to shift the focus to social and economic development while protecting the environment for future generations.
Because the Aeta tribes live in the forest, preserving their cultural identity is an important part of our vision and values. The Aeta Tribe Foundation supports the indigenous Aeta communities which can include the Aeta, Ati, Ayta, Agta, and Dumagat. Early this year, we visited the Ati people in Panay, Aklan Province on the island of Visaya. Most of the Ati people have similar straight hair to the non-indigenous Filipinos due to interracial marriages. They occupied private lands near the city instead of the forest. Some of them are being forced by the police to move out from these private lands. The mayor of Panay offered them options to purchase the lands in the forest at a low cost but the Ati refused to move as they enjoy the conveniences of the city. They all wore modern clothes and the Ati children performed modern dances instead of traditional dances. It is difficult to distinguish them from the non-indigenous Filipinos because of their straight hair. Since the Ati people did not want to live in the forest, our foundation was unable to assist them.
Today, the Aeta population comprises less than 5% of the total Philippine population of 101 million people. The true Aeta who are not part of interracial marriages and who live in the forest are far less than 3% of the total population.
We found that the Aeta’s cultural identity is either diminishing or has disappeared entirely as we witnessed with the Ati people in Aklan Province. This trend of losing one’s cultural identity is alarming as the people are slowly being absorbed into local and modern societies. They are pushing themselves very hard to assimilate and turning away from their culture and traditions as a way of fitting into modern society. Many children have fewer curls in their hair and teenage girls are getting their hair straightened. I can only imagine that the population will continue to shrink until they can no longer be recognized as indigenous Aeta. The Aeta people see their indigenousness as a disadvantage as they face racism and inequality. The Aeta communities were displaced in resettlement areas without water systems, sanitation facilities, electricity, and roads. The Filipinos regard the Aeta as beggars. When we participated in festivals and in the parade, the Filipinos threw coins at the Aeta in a demeaning display. Lastly, the children study hard to complete high school but when they graduate, they are unable to find jobs because some job qualifications require employees to have light skin. The condescending attitude from the Filipinos towards the Aeta people has permeated through the Aeta communities and transformed the way they see themselves. As we involve ourselves in their lives this time around, we will work to pave the way to the Aeta reclaiming their rightful place in the forest that is both sustainable and buildable.
When the Spaniards colonized the Philippines, the Aeta moved to Mount Pinatubo because they did not want change. Now that they have been forced to live among the non-indigenous Filipinos, the Aeta tribes are re-inventing themselves to assimilate into modern society. Recently, one of our Aeta honorary representatives corrected me. “We are no longer hunter-gatherers,” she said. Many Aeta want to stay near the city or town plaza where they can sell even the smallest amount of produce. They have also relied heavily on the medicines they are able to obtain from the health clinic or from doctors instead of curing themselves with herbal medicines and spiritual ceremonies. Bit by bit, an entire Aeta culture is being dismantled. Hence, this is leading to the end of their unique cultural identity.
The importance of living in two worlds must be known, communicated, and accepted through intercultural exchanges that will contribute to the wealth and knowledge of the Aeta community. The primary culture of the Aeta should take precedence over modern culture. The Aeta should be able to find the best cure and optimize their access to health care in cases of life and death. They must have the option to use either the herbal medicines or the medical system available to them.
The first time I visited the Aeta village in 2015, I was greeted with their ceremonial dances and their traditional clothes; the men wore G-strings and the women wore wrap-around cloths. The authenticity of their traditional dances was on display in their indigenous existence. This has changed so quickly; it is time to slow down the disappearance of the Aeta culture.
As a group of outsiders, our foundation was quick to recognize the change in the Aeta’s culture and it is our hope that we can be of assistance in preserving their way of life, their beliefs, and their cultural identity. The Aeta are striving to break the pattern of trying to fit into modern society and suppressing their cultural heritage.
In 2018, cultural identity will become part of our efforts to encourage the Aeta to reclaim their cultural heritage and start taking a stand to promote their way of life. We will start taking steps to reconnect many of the Aeta villages through the tribal leaders and to preserve their cultural identity. Our campaign will be called “Balik Kultura,” which means “back to the culture.” We will reach out to tribal leaders to ask them to deliver messages to their communities and villages about their strength as an indigenous community. We can only rely on the tribal leaders to transfer and share our messages to the entirety of the Aeta communities. They must realize our foundation is committed to provide them with the needed services for a safe life. We recognized them as indigenous communities and together, we can begin the process of sustaining their culture and facilitating adequate resources for their survival.
Our foundation will offer guidance to preserve and restore traditional knowledge such as the ceremonial dances and the use of plants or animals for medicine. It is about reconnecting with other Aeta villages and building a self-identity that will move the communities towards self-worth and a belief that their culture is unique, special, and worth saving. The children must be taught to understand who they are and must learn how to straddle life in two very different worlds. Should they stay true to their indigenous identity, they must feel safe and protected. The fact that they are now known in the world should prove that this was an accomplishment and that they should accept and respect their rich indigenous heritage, and celebrate it year after year.
With our new campaign of “Balik Kultura,” we can no longer accept donated clothes except for children who need them for school. Schools require that students wear modern clothes and while this squashes their indigenous individuality, it is unavoidable. We can only hope that the tribal leaders will do a better job at preserving their identities and overcoming the racism they face. Instead, the entire Aeta community should work collectively to preserve their culture, beliefs, and traditions that have been in practiced for centuries.
Because the Aeta tribes live in the forest, preserving their cultural identity is an important part of our vision and values. The Aeta Tribe Foundation supports the indigenous Aeta communities which can include the Aeta, Ati, Ayta, Agta, and Dumagat. Early this year, we visited the Ati people in Panay, Aklan Province on the island of Visaya. Most of the Ati people have similar straight hair to the non-indigenous Filipinos due to interracial marriages. They occupied private lands near the city instead of the forest. Some of them are being forced by the police to move out from these private lands. The mayor of Panay offered them options to purchase the lands in the forest at a low cost but the Ati refused to move as they enjoy the conveniences of the city. They all wore modern clothes and the Ati children performed modern dances instead of traditional dances. It is difficult to distinguish them from the non-indigenous Filipinos because of their straight hair. Since the Ati people did not want to live in the forest, our foundation was unable to assist them.
Today, the Aeta population comprises less than 5% of the total Philippine population of 101 million people. The true Aeta who are not part of interracial marriages and who live in the forest are far less than 3% of the total population.
We found that the Aeta’s cultural identity is either diminishing or has disappeared entirely as we witnessed with the Ati people in Aklan Province. This trend of losing one’s cultural identity is alarming as the people are slowly being absorbed into local and modern societies. They are pushing themselves very hard to assimilate and turning away from their culture and traditions as a way of fitting into modern society. Many children have fewer curls in their hair and teenage girls are getting their hair straightened. I can only imagine that the population will continue to shrink until they can no longer be recognized as indigenous Aeta. The Aeta people see their indigenousness as a disadvantage as they face racism and inequality. The Aeta communities were displaced in resettlement areas without water systems, sanitation facilities, electricity, and roads. The Filipinos regard the Aeta as beggars. When we participated in festivals and in the parade, the Filipinos threw coins at the Aeta in a demeaning display. Lastly, the children study hard to complete high school but when they graduate, they are unable to find jobs because some job qualifications require employees to have light skin. The condescending attitude from the Filipinos towards the Aeta people has permeated through the Aeta communities and transformed the way they see themselves. As we involve ourselves in their lives this time around, we will work to pave the way to the Aeta reclaiming their rightful place in the forest that is both sustainable and buildable.
When the Spaniards colonized the Philippines, the Aeta moved to Mount Pinatubo because they did not want change. Now that they have been forced to live among the non-indigenous Filipinos, the Aeta tribes are re-inventing themselves to assimilate into modern society. Recently, one of our Aeta honorary representatives corrected me. “We are no longer hunter-gatherers,” she said. Many Aeta want to stay near the city or town plaza where they can sell even the smallest amount of produce. They have also relied heavily on the medicines they are able to obtain from the health clinic or from doctors instead of curing themselves with herbal medicines and spiritual ceremonies. Bit by bit, an entire Aeta culture is being dismantled. Hence, this is leading to the end of their unique cultural identity.
The importance of living in two worlds must be known, communicated, and accepted through intercultural exchanges that will contribute to the wealth and knowledge of the Aeta community. The primary culture of the Aeta should take precedence over modern culture. The Aeta should be able to find the best cure and optimize their access to health care in cases of life and death. They must have the option to use either the herbal medicines or the medical system available to them.
The first time I visited the Aeta village in 2015, I was greeted with their ceremonial dances and their traditional clothes; the men wore G-strings and the women wore wrap-around cloths. The authenticity of their traditional dances was on display in their indigenous existence. This has changed so quickly; it is time to slow down the disappearance of the Aeta culture.
As a group of outsiders, our foundation was quick to recognize the change in the Aeta’s culture and it is our hope that we can be of assistance in preserving their way of life, their beliefs, and their cultural identity. The Aeta are striving to break the pattern of trying to fit into modern society and suppressing their cultural heritage.
In 2018, cultural identity will become part of our efforts to encourage the Aeta to reclaim their cultural heritage and start taking a stand to promote their way of life. We will start taking steps to reconnect many of the Aeta villages through the tribal leaders and to preserve their cultural identity. Our campaign will be called “Balik Kultura,” which means “back to the culture.” We will reach out to tribal leaders to ask them to deliver messages to their communities and villages about their strength as an indigenous community. We can only rely on the tribal leaders to transfer and share our messages to the entirety of the Aeta communities. They must realize our foundation is committed to provide them with the needed services for a safe life. We recognized them as indigenous communities and together, we can begin the process of sustaining their culture and facilitating adequate resources for their survival.
Our foundation will offer guidance to preserve and restore traditional knowledge such as the ceremonial dances and the use of plants or animals for medicine. It is about reconnecting with other Aeta villages and building a self-identity that will move the communities towards self-worth and a belief that their culture is unique, special, and worth saving. The children must be taught to understand who they are and must learn how to straddle life in two very different worlds. Should they stay true to their indigenous identity, they must feel safe and protected. The fact that they are now known in the world should prove that this was an accomplishment and that they should accept and respect their rich indigenous heritage, and celebrate it year after year.
With our new campaign of “Balik Kultura,” we can no longer accept donated clothes except for children who need them for school. Schools require that students wear modern clothes and while this squashes their indigenous individuality, it is unavoidable. We can only hope that the tribal leaders will do a better job at preserving their identities and overcoming the racism they face. Instead, the entire Aeta community should work collectively to preserve their culture, beliefs, and traditions that have been in practiced for centuries.