Monday, October 31, 2016

Kitab Article VII Structure of Governance and Composition

A. Glal – Tribal Titles [This article doesn’t have a Section B.—Blogger]

Section 1. Glal (Tribal Title)
(1) Ulu-Ulu or Pig-ulukan Datu–He is the highest chief, respected, recognized by the whole tribe and good in resolving various problems in the community of Dulangan Manobos.
(2) Ngipen Ulu–In the absence of the Ulu-ulu or Pig-ulukan Datu, he leads in resolving matters or problems along with the datu of the locality.
(3) Datu–He has the power and capability to find solutions to problems. He is also respected and recognized as a lawyer to uphold the law by implementing the policies of the tribe.
(4) Lukes–Adviser to the whole community
(5) Tegepalut–He is the secretary of the leaders of the community if there are problems [I can’t understand the remaining phrase.]
(6) Booy Labi–This is a woman that is a princess and respected. She also knows how to resolve problems in the community.
(7) Ulu-Ulu Sedoy Bata–The leader of the youth of the tribe
(8) Tegebeyahan–Keeper of the wealth of the tribe
(9) Tegetepeng–This person keeps track of the properties of the Ulu-Ulu or Pig-ulukan Datu of the tribe or of the datu of the community.
(10) Agubalang or Alek–Protector of the ancestral domain or territory to ward off bad elements
(11) Sabandal–Servant of the Pig-ulukan, messenger of datus and members of the community
(12) Bleyan–Healer of the tribe given power to communicate with God through dreams

Section 2. Installation of Leaders
(1) The Ulu-Ulu or Pig-ulukan Datu should be chosen by the people of the community themselves based on his capability to give good advice to the youth, women and even to other people.
(2) The datu should know how to resolve problems and is respected by the majority.
(3) The selection of the datu or booy who will lead the place is based on the person’s capacity and capability to dispense justice. No election is conducted. The selection is based on the number of followers.
(4) Leadership position in the Dulangan Manobo tribe may be inherited if the children of chieftains have the capability to resolve problems in the tribe.
(5) A trusted follower can be a datu or leader if he has the capability and power to manage the Manobo tribe.
(6) The Ulu-Ulu or Pig-ulukan Datu, the datu, or the booy may be removed from power if he does not treat well his followers in the community. The followers shall decide the process of removal from power.

(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, October 24, 2016

Kitab Article VI Sections 8 and 9 Leaders and Followers

Article VI. Rights and Responsibilities

Section 8. On Leadership (Beliefs and Being a Leader)
(1) The Ulu Ulu or Pig-ulukan Datu should know how to execute the law, judge, and create laws and should be respected and followed by people.
(2) A slave or an ordinary member of the tribe may become a datu if he knows how to lead people.
(3) He takes care of his land so that his followers will have a place to dwell in.
(4) He does not speak harshly to his fellow datus and to the people of the community.
(5) He’s a good person, understanding, helpful, and knows how to give advice to his followers.
(6) He upholds the law and issues judgments that are just and righteous.
(7) He creates laws that are feared and liked by the people.
(8) The people believes and obeys his word.
(9) The head or leader must come from a clan that has royal blood.
(10) His decisions are respected to fight for the human rights of the community.
(11) The datu is the keeper of the people in the community so he executes the law.
(12) The datu is the keeper of the ancestral domain so that others will not grab it.
(13) He is ready to die for the welfare of the tribe.
(14) He is the adviser of the tribe to attain peace.
(15) He leads in resolving problems and conflicts.
(16) He knows how to protect the properties of his followers.
(17) He metes out appropriate sanctions to whoever violates the law.
(18) He treats people equally when executing the laws of the tribe.
(19) He manages the livelihood of his followers.
(20) The Ulu Ulu or Pig-ulukan Datu may be removed from power if he does not treat his followers well.
(21) A leader of a community may be removed from power if he does not treat his followers well.
(22) Even if a person has committed a sin, the leader should lead him to the right path so that he will not lose hope and his good behavior will return.

Section 9. On Responsibilities of Followers
(1) They should respect the recognized leader of the community.
(2) They have the right to make their own decisions in accordance with the laws of the tribe.
(3) They have the right to voice their opinions and feelings.
(4) They should follow the right decision of the leader.
(5) They have the right to remove the leader from power through the right process and for sufficient reason.

(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, October 17, 2016

Kitab Article VI Sections 5, 6, 7 Nature, Lemuken, Stars

Article VI. Rights and Responsibilities

Section 5. Principles Observed by the Tribe

(a) About Nature

(1) Nature is a source of health, livelihood and food.
(2) God gave nature to and for everyone.
(3) All people should take care, guard, love, and respect the mountains especially the sacred places.
(4) Without land and forest the tribe has no livelihood.
(5) The forest and land are the source of livelihood of the tribe.

(b) About Land

God gave land to the Dulangan Manobos to be planted to crops so that they will have a source of daily food. The ancestors in the past took care of land by observing traditional practices.

(1) The ancestors bequeathed the land as a source of livelihood.
(2) Land is for the tribe to have a home.
(3) Land is for farming and to be taken care of by everything that has life.
(4) Land should not be sold because it is like your parents, a source of livelihood. Selling land brings bad luck.
(5) God made land for all people to work.
(6) The land is a legacy of our ancestors and for the next generations.
(7) Land bequeathed by ancestors should not be sold.
(8) God made land for the ancestors and for the next generations.
(9) Land is a source of herbal medicine for the sick and a place for recreation of the Dulangan Manobo tribe.

(c) About Crops

In planting there are guidelines that the tribe follows. Stars are one basis when planting can be done to have a good harvest.

During harvest time for rice, this is what the elders in the old times practiced. They give thanks, butcher chickens, call all their relatives, and hold a feast for the bountiful harvest. They call and pray to the owner of the land, owner of the trees, owner of rattan and owner of water. They thank God for the blessings he’s given them.

After harvesting the crop, they move to another place to clear so that the land will be able to replenish.

(d) Forest

(1) It was used by the elders in the past.
(2) It was a source of livelihood, such as water, home to fishes.
(3) It is home to animals, a source of forest food and a source of livelihood.
(4) It is a source of gold.
(5) It gives fresh air and a beautiful view.
(6) It is a source of medicinal plants for the sick.
(7) The various kinds of animals in it give help and livelihood to human beings.
(8) Do not abuse it, for it is vital to everything that has life.
(9) It is a source of medicinal plants for the sick and a place of recreation for the Dulangan Manobo tribe.

Section 6. Lemuken
The lemuken is what the tribe listens to when they go to other places or to the forest. The song of the bird gives signs to people and warns them of bad luck in the place where they are going. The bird’s song may also signify a good harvest.

Section 7. Stars
The tribe observes the position of stars. This is how they know when to start clearing the forest and planting crops. Stars also indicate the coming season, whether sunny or rainy. The tribe uses the moon and stars as a basis in counting the days and months that have passed from planting time to harvest time.

(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, October 10, 2016

Kitab Article VI Sections 3 and 4 Rights of Women and Men

Article VI. Rights and Responsibilities

Section 3. Rights of Women
(1) They have the right to be respected because they experience difficulty when giving birth.
(2) They have the right against abuse. Do not be unfaithful to them and do not hurt them.
(3) They have the right receive compassion and love.
(4) Know what they need and do not deprive them.
(5) They are the treasurer of the family.
(6) They have the right to air their side to their husbands.
(7) They have the right to defend themselves so as not to be oppressed by others.
(8) They have the right to defend their farmland so that others will not take it away.
(9) They have the right to respect one another.
(10) They have the right to live peacefully.
(11) They have the right to wear traditional clothes.

Section 4. Rights of Men
(1) They have the right to work hard to support the needs of their children and wives.
(2) They may issue orders that are right and in accordance with tradition.
(3) They are the head of the family and they lead in earning a living.
(4) They work, carry heavy things, and provide for the household.
(5) They are respected and obeyed in the family.
(6) They plan and their families follow.
(7) They have the right to have a second wife if the first wife gives her permission.
(8) They have the right to fight evil people.
(9) They have the right to defend their land so that it will not be taken away by others.
(10) They have the right to defend themselves in the right way against transgressors.

(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, October 3, 2016

Kitab Article VI Sections 1 and 2 Rights of Children and Elders

Article VI. Rights and Responsibilities

Section 1. Rights of Children
(1) Children have the right to be raised properly in a good household.
(2) Teach them good manners for them to be respectful of their parents and other people.
(3) Send them to school so that they will have a good life in the future.
(4) Give them the freedom to choose what can make them happy and can give them a good life.
(5) Do not neglect them so that they will not stray from our culture and traditional way of life.
(6) Let us guide them toward the word of God so that their path in life will be good and they will not do evil.
(7) Let us give them a good source of living in the future.
(8) They have the right to defend the ancestral domain given by God.
(9) They have the right to decide the right thing to do.
(10) They have the right to defend themselves when oppressed by other people.
(11) They have the right to live here on earth with dignity.
(12) They have the right to have their decision respected.

Section 2. Rights of Elders
(1) They have the right to be respected and obeyed by their children.
(2) They have the right to teach their children to be good.
(3) They have the right to guide their children and be followed by them.
(4) They have the right to plan for a good future for their family.
(5) They have the right to be citizens.
(6) They have the right to fight for their rights in their laws.
(7) They have the right to fight for their land.
(8) They have the right to be indignant when they are oppressed.
(9) They have the right to live in peace.
(10) They have the right to execute their decisions.
(11) They have the right to have another wife when necessary.
(12) They have the right to defend the culture and traditional beliefs.
(13) They have the right to solve problems.

(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.)