Monday, June 27, 2016

Kitab Article III Section 1 The Dulangan Manobo

Article III. The Dulangan Manobo and their Cultural Practices

Section 1. The Dulangan Manobo

The Dulangan Manobo were known in the old days for eight siblings. Whenever they had enemies, they could not sleep. They had to attack the enemies’ territory. They were also known for the clothes and ornaments that they wore, such as tunggal, tising, plegkasin, kelo, sugot, basak, tikis, kegal, and eful. They had earrings. They had tattoos on their bodies, both male and female, as a sign of bravery (Tegefengayaw Agdaw). Their teeth were dark due to betel chewing, a custom that they inherited from their ancestors.

The Dulangan Manobo came from their ancestors Tomigel and her son Lumabet, who lived in Kulaman a long time ago. Her home was Ele-Uboh according to the tales of the elders. The tribe believes she is in heaven now.

Members of the tribe
(1) Etaw Dagel–Dulangan Manobo living in the headwaters of the river, with mellifluous speech, such as the ones in Kulaman and nearby areas
(2) Etaw Dibaba–Dulangan Manobo living downriver, angry-like in speech, such as the ones in Tubak, Dono, and Legodon, who speak the same way
(3) Etaw Dagat–Dulangan Manobo living near the sea, soft spoken, with sweetness on the final syllable of the word

(This post is a part of a series on Kitab, the customary law of the Dulangan Manobos. See my introductory post for the list of posts containing all the sections of the law. You may also see the original Filipino version on Scribd.)

Monday, June 20, 2016

Kitab Article II Definition of Terms

A
(1) Ada–Many
(2) Adal–Dancing
(3) Adat–Practices that were inherited from ancestors
(4) Adew–Painful
(5) Adog–Name of a person
(6) Agdaw–The sun
(7) Adal Delayaw–Dance in tribal festivities
(8) Aken–I
(9) Akay–Friend
(10) Alangan–Scattered on the groom’s path
(11) Alas–A practice in slash-and-burn farming; a stake or some other marker is put in the clearing so that others will not claim the clearing as theirs
(12) Alat–Container for harvested corn, rice, and others
(13) Amayan–Large
(14) Ateh–Very far
B
(15) Baboy–Hog
(16) Bagting–Arrow
(17) Batiya–Incantation of the tribe
(18) Binibilan–May be used as a dowry
(19) Binulan-bulan–Container for betel quid and lime ash
(20) Bekesan–Python
(21) Bekukang–A disease similar to boil
(22) Bekuku–An ornament put on the ears
(23) Bangkong–For defense and dowry
(24) Busaw–Evil spirit
(25) Busug [spear]–A tribal weapon used to catch game
(26) Balit laget–Container for the quid of a princess when there are visitors or during an occasion, also for dowry
(27) Blabagan–North
D
(28) Dapag–Near
(29) Dakel–Large
(30) Delek–For defense and catching game
(31) Delesan–House
(32) Delegdigan–South
(33) Dodok–If the first wife dies, she is replaced by her daughter
(34) Dufang–Swindler
(35) Dugang–Add
(36) Duma–Relatives
E
(37) Ebay–Wondering
(38) Edungan–Beginning
(39) Egalebek–Working
(40) Enugsadan–How much dowry is given to the bride’s mother
(41) Eledan–West
(42) Eglesek–Fish diver
(43) Eglikin–Going home
(44) Egselapan–Playing
(45) Egsugo–Giving an order
(46) Eg-tibah–Clearing a piece of land by cutting and burning the trees
(47) Ele-Uboh–Where Mother Tumegel was from when she went to heaven
F
(48) Fekenan Manok–Wedding
(49) Fenulot–One ganta [2.2 kilograms] of rice with a chicken for men
(50) Fagsudan–Filled with mountains
(51) Fangus–Dried fish
(52) Fatogiyal–Duck
G
(53) Getas Tamok–The method of returning the dowry if the couple separates
I
(54) Ikam –Mat
(55) Ited–A widower can marry a sister of the deceased wife, and a widow can be taken as a wife by a brother of the deceased husband
(56) Iton–Spouse
K
(57) Kalabaw [water buffalo]–For dowry and farming
(58) Kailawan–Ordinary and poor Dulangan Manobos created by God
(59) Kelawit–Used by hunters to catch wild pigs and deer
(60) Kemalaan–Shy person
(61) Kemagi–A kind of property that can be given as a dowry
(62) Kembuye–Dance of a person who is pounding rice and of a happy person
(63) Kinuta–A person who dances and plays music
(64) Kuda [horse] – Used by the datu or the tribe for traveling, dowry, and horse fights
(65) Kulagbu–Used for dowry, worth one horse
(66) Kuden tana–Made of clay, used as a pot for cooking rice
L
(67) Langgaman–Used by women to harvest rice
(68) Lebengan–Burial site of the tribe
(69) Lesung [mortar]–Used to pound rice
(70) Linansayan–For dowry, worth one horse
(71) Lobing–Used for sleeping
(72) Lueb–Used as a container for arrows, a magazine of the tribe
(73) Lungon–Coffin
M
(74) Melugay–A long time
(75) Museng–Charcoal
N
(76) Nugangan–Parent-in-law
P
(77) Felegkasen–Used to increase an arrow’s accuracy
(78) Fliko Tamok–Return the dowry to the man if the woman refuses to marry
S
(79) Segagung–Used during occasions to entertain guests
(80) Sekedu–Used as a water container, made of bamboo
(81) Selagi–Used to call people, the sound depending on the occasion, whether a funeral or a celebration
(82) Sigfu–Used to catch wild pigs and for protection
(83) Sinulon–Used for winnowing rice, corn, and others
(84) Solok–Container for seeds of corn, rice, and others
(85) Sulad–Container for corn, vegetables, rice, and other kinds of crops
(86) Sundang–Used for defense by the tribe
(87) Sunggod–Dowry or bride-price
T
(88) Tabas–Used for war dance and defense
(89) Tegeb–A kind of property that is used for dowry
(90) Tegelesek–Fish diver
(91) Tege-awo–Hunter of wild animals
(92) Tegefigbayi/Tegefigmaama–Philanderer
(93) Tinakepan–Food paired with rice, taken from trees
(94) Tinabanan–[Ambiguous:] If both the wife and the husband commit adultery, the dowry cannot be taken back; or, a situation where a wife commits adultery and the husband cannot take back the dowry
(95) Tising [ring]–A sign that a woman can no longer find a man
(96) Tusung–Hole
U
(97) Ukit–Processes of resolving problems
(98) Ules–Head covering
(99) Ulof–Used to make the enemy sleep
(100) Upowon–Baldheaded person
(101) Usa–Animal meat
(102) Uwan–Song to attract listeners
W
(103) Wagiya–Steel
(104) Wayeg–Water

(This post is a part of a series on Kitab, the customary law of the Dulangan Manobos. See my introductory post for the list of posts containing all the sections of the law. You may also see the original Filipino version on Scribd.)

Monday, June 13, 2016

Kitab Article I Guiding Principles

Section 1. Legal bases in establishing the comprehensive structure and program of the tana tupu are as follows: [The numbering in the original text is confusing, so I made some reorganization in this article.—Blogger]

(1) The inherent rights of the indigenous peoples to pursue their traditional leadership structure, programs and customary laws;

(2) The 1987 Philippine Constitution:

(a) Section 22 Article II, which states that “the State recognizes and promotes the rights of indigenous cultural communities within the framework of national unity and development.”

(b) Section 17 Article XIV, which states that “the State shall recognize, respect, and protect the rights of indigenous cultural communities to preserve and develop their cultures, traditions, and institutions. It shall consider these rights in the formulation of national plans and policies.”

(3) The Republic Act 8371, otherwise known as the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act of 1997

(a) Chapter IV Section 13, which states that “The State recognizes the inherent right of ICCs/IPs to self-governance and self-determination and respects the integrity of their values, practices and institutions. Consequently, the State shall guarantee the right of ICCs/IPs to freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development.”

(b) Chapter IV Section 15, which states that “The ICCs/IPs shall have the right to use their own commonly accepted justice systems, conflict resolution institutions, peace building processes or mechanisms and other customary laws and practices within their respective communities and as may be compatible with the national legal system and with internationally recognized human rights.”

(4) The International Treaties and Conventions:

(a) The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of the Indigenous Peoples

(i) Article 3, which states that “Indigenous peoples have the right to self-determination. By virtue of that right they freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development.”

(ii) Article 4, which states that “Indigenous peoples, in exercising their right to self-determination, have the right to autonomy or self-government in matters relating to their internal and local affairs, as well as ways and means for financing their autonomous functions.” [In the copy of Kitab that I found on Scribd, this part is slightly different. I used the actual text in the UNDRIP.—Blogger]

(iii) Article 5, which states that “Indigenous peoples have the right to maintain and strengthen their distinct political, legal, economic, social and cultural institutions, while retaining their right to participate fully, if they so choose, in the political, economic, social and cultural life of the State.” [In the copy of Kitab that I found on Scribd, this part is slightly different. I used the actual text in the UNDRIP.—Blogger]

(b) The International Labor Organization Convention 169, otherwise known as the Convention concerning Indigenous and Tribal Peoples in Independent Countries:

(i) Article 8 Paragraph 1, which states that “in applying national laws and regulations to the peoples concerned, due regard shall be had to their customs or customary laws.”

(ii) Article 8 Paragraph 2, which states that “these peoples shall have the right to retain their own customs and institutions, where these are not incompatible with fundamental rights defined by the national legal system and with internationally recognised human rights. Procedures shall be established, whenever necessary, to resolve conflicts which may arise in the application of this principle.”

(iii) Article 9 Paragraph 1, which states that “to the extent compatible with the national legal system and internationally recognised human rights, the methods customarily practised by the peoples concerned for dealing with offences committed by their members shall be respected.”

(iv) Article 9 Paragraph 2, which states that “the customs of these peoples in regard to penal matters shall be taken into consideration by the authorities and courts dealing with such cases.”

Section 2. Respect and care for Mother Earth and nature because this is the source of livelihood, culture, tradition and spiritual beliefs of the Dulangan Manobo tribe

Section 3. Respect and recognition of the significance of the stars, moon and sun in everyday activities of the Dulangan Manobos.

Section 4. Recognition and respect for fellow human beings as well as animals and other living things and most of all Nemula (God the Creator)

(This post is a part of a series on Kitab, the customary law of the Dulangan Manobos. See my introductory post for the list of posts containing all the sections of the law. You may also see the original Filipino version on Scribd.)

Friday, June 10, 2016

Rattan Decors

Manobo craftsmen, of course, are also capable of creating modern decors and toys out of rattan. 

Rattan can be used to make a ball for sepak takraw, a game similar to volleyball but has three players only for each team and the players can’t use their hands to hit the ball.

Monday, June 6, 2016

Kitab Preamble

We, the Dulangan Manobo tribe, as one of the indigenous peoples who recognize the Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines, come together to execute the Law concerning our tribe through the revitalization and strengthening of the comprehensive structure of Dulangan Manobo territorial governance as a mechanism to advance the justice system and administration of our ancestral domain.

This shall be our means to uphold the right of indigenous people to self-determination as recognized by the laws of the Republic of the Philippines and also by international treaties and conventions, such as the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the International Labor Organization Convention 169.

Through the President, we shall build a humane society geared towards common good to ensure that we and our progeny attain freedom, progress and peace under the leadership of the Vice President and other chieftains in accordance with the Kepeukit Kitab and Tegdeg, which proclaim truth, justice, love and equality. We swear to obey this Ukit.

(This post is a part of a series on Kitab, the customary law of the Dulangan Manobos. See my introductory post for the list of posts containing all the sections of the law. You may also see the original Filipino version on Scribd.)

Friday, June 3, 2016

Brass Musical Instruments

A group of Dulangan Manobo musicians performs possibly for a Christian crowd, judging by the background. This is a photo of a photo displayed in Delesan Menubo. Since the Manobos have not developed a technology to work metal, the brassware that they use is usually bought from the Maguindanao people.

This set of small gongs is usually laid on the floor and struck by a padded hammer. It’s called kulintang by the Maguindanaos and selagi by the Dulangan Manobos.

Beautifully designed, the hammer in this photo steals attention from the gong. The head of the hammer seems to me to be made of manila hemp.

Wednesday, June 1, 2016

Introduction to Kitab (Customary Law)

Starting this Monday, June 6, and for the next two dozen Mondays, I will be featuring on this blog the customary law of the Dulangan Manobos. I found the law, called Kitab, on the documents website Scribd, uploaded by a person or an organization that goes by the username IPDev.

The original Kitab is written in Filipino, and what I will be posting on this blog is an English translation. I have not had any formal training or solid experience in translating documents, so please don’t rely solely on my blog posts. At most, they can be used as a reference if you have difficulty understanding Filipino or the kind of Filipino that is used in the customary law. (It contains quite a number of Visayan terms that have not been fully assimilated in the national language.) If you need to quote the law in English, check the original document and translate the text yourself or ask someone more qualified than I am.

I tried to come up with rules on translating the document. I wanted to be consistent in handling some terms that are difficult to translate—when to keep them in their original form, when to use their rough English equivalents, and when to insert editorial explanations. I attempted to make parallel the items in some lists. And of course, I did not forget the basics. I tried to be consistent in using capitals and italics, and I tried to make the spellings uniform. Unfortunately, in all of them, I failed.

The Kitab in its original form needs a thorough review and editing, but that’s not mine to worry about, at least for now. So I made the most of what I had. I did the best that I could within my available time. The result leaves much to be desired, but it is help enough for now, I believe. Here’s the timeline for the different parts of the Kitab:

June 6
Preamble

June 13
Article I. Guiding Principles

June 20
Article II. Definition of Terms

June 27
Article III. The Dulangan Manobo and their Cultural Practices
Section 1. The Dulangan Manobo

July 4
Article III. The Dulangan Manobo and their Cultural Practices
Section 1. Fekaenan Manok: Process
Section 2. Marriage Process
Section 3. Process on Taking the Wife of Another

July 11
Article III. The Dulangan Manobo and their Cultural Practices
Section 4. Giving Birth
Section 5. Funeral Practices

July 18
Article III. The Dulangan Manobo and their Cultural Practices
Section 6. Dances of the Tribe
Section 7. Songs of the Tribe

July 25
Article III. The Dulangan Manobo and their Cultural Practices
Section 8. Arts
Section 9. Belief in God

August 1
Article III. The Dulangan Manobo and their Cultural Practices
Section 10. Family Relations
Section 11. Relations with Other Tribes

August 8
Article IV. Dulangan Manobo Ancestral Territory
Section 1. Ancestral Territory

August 15
Article IV. Dulangan Manobo Ancestral Territory
Section 2. Territorial Division
Section 3. Clan-based Territory

August 22
Article V. Land and Livelihood
Section 1. The Need to Live
Section 2. Livelihood of the People

August 29
Article V. Land and Livelihood
Section 3. Process of Planting Rice
Section 4. Harvest Process

September 5
Article V. Land and Livelihood
Section 5. The Forest
Section 6. Policies on Livelihood

September 12
Article V. Land and Livelihood
Section 7. Names of Properties (A) Domesticated Animals
Section 7. Names of Properties (B) Household Items

September 19
Article V. Land and Livelihood
Section 7. Names of Properties (C) Personal Items

September 26
Article V. Land and Livelihood
Section 7. Names of Properties (D) Games of the Dulangan Manobo
Section 7. Names of Properties (E) Wild Animals

October 3
Article VI. Rights and Responsibilities
Section 1. Rights of Children
Section 2. Rights of Elders

October 10
Article VI. Rights and Responsibilities
Section 3. Rights of Women
Section 4. Rights of Men

October 17
Article VI. Rights and Responsibilities
Section 5. Principles Followed by the Tribe
Section 6. The Lemuken
Section 7. Stars

October 24
Article VI. Rights and Responsibilities
Section 8. On Leadership
Section 9. On Responsibilities of Followers

October 31
Article VII. Structure of Governance and Composition

November 7
Article VIII. Tribal Justice System
Section 1. Kitab
Section 2. Penalty for Murder

November 14
Article VIII. Tribal Justice System
Section 3. Rituals
Section 4. Justice and Justice System

November 21
Article IX. Tribal Defense
Article X. General Provisions
Article XI. Effectivity