SMU-BIBAK, Bugkalot Culture Bearers Grace IP, Museum Month Celeb
Showcasing their culture and traditions through performances, Saint Mary’s University – Benguet, Ifugao, Bontoc, Apayao and Kalinga (SMU-BIBAK) cultural performers and Bugkalot culture bearers of Barangay Pelaway, Alfonso Castaneda join the celebration of Indigenous Peoples and Museum Month in ‘Himig Katutubo’ held at Patio Alois, October 2.
Organized by the Community Engagement and Indigenous Peoples Studies Center (CEIPSC) through SMU Student Central Council, BIBAK featured indigenous and folk songs along with dance performances while the Bugkalot culture bearers headed by Frederick Barcelo performed ‘Tagëm’, an indigenous dance performed during rituals.
Moreover, the use of the Bugkalot’s traditional bamboo instrument ‘gisada’ and ‘kulising’ along with traditional lullabies and songs during hunting season were witnessed by the Marian community.
In an interview, Barcelo noted that one of the issues that Indigenous communities are facing is disinformation, posing threats to the preservation of their culture and traditions and emphasizing the need for documentation and archiving for the future.
“Ang dami pa talagang mga bagay na dapat malaman at idokumento sa mga Bugkalot,” he shared.
Furthermore, Barcelo challenged the IP youth to acknowledge the importance of their culture and traditions by following the footsteps of their elders.
“May mga elder na nagtuturo, kaya sa mga kabataan pagsikapan din nila na matutuhan kung sino sila, malaman kung sino sila habang buhay pa ‘yong mga elder. ‘Pag nawala na ‘yan, talaga, masasabi ko, ‘yong napakalaking gap, napakalaking bahagi na (ang) mawawala sa kanilang pagkatao,” he said.
The event ended through a community dance led by BIBAK and participated by the students, and employees of SMU.
Written by: Marielle Camonayan, CEIPSC Staff
