History of the Higaonon Tribe | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
THE HIGAONON 'LUMAD' OF MINDANAO
Lumad means 'grown to a place'. This term generally refers to the 18 Non-Moro Indigenous Communities in Mindanao which, by force of colonization , were driven to the deepest hinterlands.
The Higaonon Indigenous Nation is among these, with an estimated minimum population today of 200-300,000 and who now reside largely in Agusan del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Misamis Oriental, Bukidnon, Lanao del Norte and Camiguin. On the whole, the Lumad of Mindanao, before being conquered, preserved their own lives. They clung to their communal views of the land, to their co-operative work exchanges, communal ritual, dances, songs and folklores. They revered their own God. Their animistic worship, however, could not have persisted had it not been for the peaceful and non-imposing stance of Islam. A classic manifestation of this is the Non Islamization of the Tiruray and the Manobo, who were part of the common borders and in constant trade with the more socially cohesive Muslim Maguindanao.
Several hundred years ago, the Spaniards, preoccupied with their desperate, but unsuccessful attempt on subduing the fierce and resolute Moro resistance, did little alter the developing non-Moro communities. Except for the dislocation of the Lumads in the north and north-eastern seaboards (Agusan del Norte, Surigao, Misamis Oriental, and Davao Oriental of Mindanao), the majority of Lumads were unaffected by Spanish colonization. The Higaonan were one on these Indigenous Peoples.
The Higaonon Indigenous Nation, which is currently estimated to total about 350,000-500,000 people, includes the Bukidnon and the Banwaon (similarity of lineage and history is proven by the same oral literature called 'Dasang' which can be recited in 8 days and 8 nights by a 'Dumalongdong', meaning sacred assembly). They are distributed in Las Nieves, Sinakungan, San Luis, Talacogon, Agusan del Sur, Buenavista, Carmen, Butuan City, in the Province of Agusan del Norte, Magsaysay, Gingoog City, Salay, Balingasag, Medina, Claveria, Cagayan de Oro, Opol, Manticao, Naawan, Initao, in Misamis Oriental, Manolo Fortich, Impasug-ong, Baungon, Talakag, Libona, Malitbog, Malaybalay, Cabanglasan, Lantapan, and Valencia in Bukidnon Province, Iligan in Lanao del Norte and Camiguin. Written accounts suggest that the term HIGAONON is a combination of the root words: 'HIGA' which means 'to live ' or to reside' or 'to lay in bed'; 'GAON' which means 'mountain'; and ONON which means 'people'. Thus people who live in the Mountains - our Higaonon spiritual leaders and scholars - defined as "People in the Living Mountains".
The Higaonon oral tradition discloses the Indigenous Population that traces their common roots from the mother of the post-deluge generation, 'Apo Entampil', Apo of all Apo - also known as Gahumon or Pinaiyak.
Original Roots: Apo Entampil survived the deluge that was caused by the Creater to cleanse the Earth. Her husband, Panugatan, was drowned in the deluge. Apo settled in Kapayagan (now Mt. Kimangkil), situated in the hinterlands of Claveria, Misamis Oriental, bordering Manolo Fortich , Bukidnon. Then pregnant, she vowed to make a husband out of her child if it was going to be a male, as recited in Dasang ... "Ngani Kang Ko Bahi Sa Lumbay Ko, Panglipaklipak, Ko, Pulo, Ko Kakayo-A ngani Kang Ko Maama Sa Lumbay Ko, Pandayaon, Ag-Asawahon Ko".
As she wished, Tagubon (also called Tahubon) grew to be man, becoming his mother's husband.
Direct Descendants: They bore six children - making another three couples that later settled in different places in Northern Mindanao.
The couple, 'Liyangon-Lungyabon', settled in Agusan Provinces;
The couple, 'Lugong-Tubag Lugong,' settled in Bukidnon Province; The couple, 'Kalitkit-Kabudakan', settled in Misamis Oriental Province. The Lineage: Below is an example of the Giling Lineage Records, as can be recited in Dasang: Apo Entampil Establishment of Customary Laws Several generations later, the renowned **Apo Paboloson (Datu Paboloson) of Apo Kalitkit-Kabudakan's descent, gathered his people in a sacred assembly called 'Dumalongdong', to unite them in the noble virtues taught by Apo Entampil and her ancestors. The Customary Laws, "Bungkatol Ha Bulawan Daw Nang Ka Tasa Ha Lana", which simply means "Love & Peace Law", was manifested and instituted in the first Dumalongdong. The social structure was likewise made clear to their understanding, and The Datu System was established with job description.
Datu means Chief or Caretaker of the teachings handed down from generation to generation. The tradition bearer and keeper of the Royal Lineage manifested according to River Clans.
From the Tagoloan River area, two of Apo Paboloson's sons left for a journey (nangalasan ku bugta). Seeking the heart of the heartland (taliwada ku bugta) it took a few generations more before they reached Sinakungan, the land of their quest, now a barangay in the Municipality of Esperanza, Agusan del Sur. It was here where the second biggest Dumalongdong was held in history. The other children stayed behind (nababalay ku bugta). Inter-marriages through generations nevertheless made this tribe reach the Provinces of Bukidnon and Lanao del Norte. Datu Paboloson's daughter, Apo Agunya, was married to a Spanish Merchant, Apo Lorenzo, in Cagayan de Oro. This was the first marriage between the Higaonon tribal people and Spain. This indicates the early assimilation pattern of the ethnic Higaonon to the lowlanders.
At present the Higaonon can be classified into three categories:
The Higaonon who belong to the Category 1 are those who strictly adhere to the Customary Laws - Bungkatol Ha Bulawan daw Nang Ka Tasa Ha Lana's teachings and discipline (Code of Conduct). They live in the thick forests in the semi-settled communities, subsisting on wild game, fishing, root crops, rice and trading (barter trade), of forest products and handicrafts. The social organization is still that social system instituted during the earliest Dumalongdong, with modification made to suit contemporary times. In spite of the fact of the semi-feudal system prevailing in the bigger Philippine Society, its influence cannot affect the distinct lifestyle which these Indigenous People are striving hard to develop and preserve.
Those Higaonon who fall into the Category 2 are slowly moving toward assimilation. Although-they still live by Bungkatol ha Bulawan teachings, the laws, tradition, culture and social system of the Majority Filipinos have exerted strong influence on their lives. Category 3 are those who have assimilated into the Filipino majority. Some have become-professionals and hold positions in the government. But these people still identify themselves as Higaonon and in solidarity with their people in their struggle for self -determination. Like all other Indigenous Peoples considered an ethnic minority, the Higaonon are victims of land-grabbing of their ancestral lands, Christian chauvinism, Government neglect, militarization, and other forms of exploitation and oppression.
Bungkatol Ha Bulawan Daw Nang Ka Tasa Ha Lana literally means 'Treasured Unity'and 'Code of Conduct'. This is the sacred bond that unites the entire Higaonon People who share the common root, language, history and culture and a code to guide the conduct of man for a good and just society. Sacred Teachings were taught in the form of 'Sacred Order', enumerated as follows:
Under the Bungkatol Ha Bulawan teachings, land is a loving gift of Magbabaya (Supreme Creator) for all Men. Because land produces life's nourishments, land is life in itself. It cannot be sold and or taken away by anyone. It has been kept under the stewardship of the great, great-great Ancestors whose spirits continue to keep watch so the land could be used for generation to generation. The Bungkatol Ha Bulawan also teaches brotherhood, equality and respect to the Higaonon Social System.
Since these are Customary Laws in a society where there is absence of contradicting interests of social classes, economic, political, cultural and military spheres of life are taken separately but rather come integrated in a traditional framework. So, Higaonon society is run not as a social organization per se but rather as a 'Big Family'.
The Datu leads not as ruler but as an administrator, with community as children assuming individual tasks based on one's capacity, experience and also maternal and paternal sanguinary lineage approved by the community. It is traditionally plain division of labor in a village. And for the entire Higaonon population, they do the allocation of tasks and responsibilities in a Dumalongdong - every task is defined and everyone is installed into a task in front of the assembly if she or he would be willing to accept and continue with the obligations and responsibilities inherent. It is also in Dumalongdong where garbs, tubao, (headdress), bronze bracelets and china pieces are given out as symbols of responsibility and capacity to serve the people. Every common undertaking comes through ethnic ritual - dispensing of justice, launching military actions, hunting, building a hut, and cleaning a field. All gets done after a prayer ritual offered to deities over a sacrifice of blood - usually pig or chicken. It is always a man physically doing the work with the help of the blessings of the Ancestor's spirits. Men committing misdeeds transgress the Bungkatol Ha Bulawan and the Community are always helped to rectify themselves by making an offering sacrifice to the deities in the presence of the community, sharing his sincerity to correct his mistakes for the entire community to witness.
Advocacy
on Tribal Organization and Networks, Incorporated (ATONI) has founded on April 2,
2000 after the incidence of a great forest combustion of the hinterland areas
of Iligan City of the Southern Philippines and duly recognized by the National
Government Agency thru the National Commission of Indigenous Peoples Lanao del
Norte Provincial Office as partner organization on that particular year together
with the Provincial Consultative Body of the said government agency and duly registered
with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 31, 2012.
The leadership of the
said Non-government Organization is composed of full-blooded Higaonons and Muslims
and a Higaonon-Muslim individuals. Since the beginning of the year 2000, ATONI conducted
joint projects with the Barangay and Tribal Councils, National Commission of
Indigenous Peoples, Rotary Club, Institute of Peace and Development of Mindanao
(IPDM), Mindanao Peoples Caucus (MPC), Local Government Unit of Iligan City,
Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology and the Department of
Education Division of Iligan City. ATONI is an on-going member of the Southeast
Asia-Pacific Cooperation Circle of the United Religions Initiative.
There were many projects implemented by ATONI and some of them are the
following:
1.
1-5
May 2000 Tree Planting
2.
June
2001 Hunglos Farming System
3.
January
2002 Medical Mission
4.
18
September 2003 Cultural Show
5.
08
July 2004 Clean and Green Program
6.
01
January 2005 Tribal Customary Laws Formulation
7.
April
2006 Gender Awareness
8.
March
2007 Mapping of Indigenous Peoples Territory
9.
January
2007 Support to Barangay Development Plans
10. August 2008 Support
to Ancestral Domain Titling
11. November 2009 School
of Living Tradition
12. December 2010 Peace
and Development Advocacy
13. 25 August 2011 Documentation
of Caves and Legendary Sites
14. 18 December 2011 Research
and Publication of the Interfaith Numeracy
15. 09 January 2012
Rehabilitation and Recovery Forum
16. 8 May 2012 Support to
Environmental Summit and Forum
17. 08 June 2012 Ongoing Indigenous
Peoples Curriculum Program with Department of Education
Regular Activities includes:
I.
Meeting
with Barangay Captains and City Councilors
II.
Meeting
with the Department of Agriculture/IPDM/MSU-IIT/MPC/DepED
III.
Higaonon
Summit/Workshops
IV.
Free
Prior and Informed Consent Meetings with NCIP
V.
Organizing
of Tribal Councils
VI.
Tribal
Conflict Resolution/Alternative Dispute Resolution
VII.
IPs
Council Meeting
VIII.
Tribal
Dialogue on Peace Process
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