Preservation of Panay Bukidnon culture gets boost
To preserve and protect the indigenous culture and tradition of Panay Bukidnon, an evaluation was recently conducted in Barangay Garangan, Calinog. The focus of the quarterly assessment is the Sugidanun.
Sugidadun is epic chanting, wherein "binukot" or kept maidens are considered as good chanters among the Panay Bukidnon. The "binukot" learned the art of epic chanting from their great grandmother, grandmother or relatives. At all times, they are heard reciting the epic.
The evaluation which was conducted last week is a project of the National Commission for Culture and Arts (NCCA), National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP), UP Center for West Visayan Studies and municipality of Calinog. It was Dr.Alicia Magos, who first documented the Panay Bukindon's culture and tradition.
According to Vima Latoza of the NCIP, the evaluation centers on some 50 students of the Balay Turun-an or the Central Panay School for Living Tradition (SLT). The Balay Turun-an in Barangay Garangan served as venue of the training. It is three to four hours walk.
The main figures or teachers in the epic study were Gawad Manlilikha ng Bayan awardee Federico Caballero and his equally talented brother. Federico is considered as the living master chanter.
Latoza said apart from epic chanting, the study also includes dance, specifically the "binanog." Binaog is a dance that imitates a hawk. Other forms of oral literature like ambahan (welcome joust), dilot (love song), talda (repartee) and ulawhay (long chanted stories), and craft like panubok (embroidery or needle work) and bamboo work are also being taught to the students. The students aged from three years old to 25 years old. The classes are held every Saturday.
The quarterly evaluation likewise aims to improve the knowledge and skills of students, inspire the students as well as their parents to continue the advocacy and learning of indigenous people and same time encourage parents to act as "para-teachers" to their own children.