IVATANs -Indigenous Peoples, Filipinos key of the Past

[By: K1024734 Rubelyn Candelario]

Culture and Heritage Informatics CI3130

Table of Contents
Executive Summary: ..................................................................................................................................... 3 About the Client ........................................................................................................................................ 3 Synopsis .................................................................................................................................................... 4 Objectives: ................................................................................................................................................ 4 Theoretical and intellectual issues ................................................................................................................ 5 Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 6 The Profile ..................................................................................................................................................... 7 Ivatan Culture................................................................................................................................................ 8 What is a Laji ................................................................................................................................................. 9 Ivatan Beliefs and their Scientific Basis..................................................................................................... 9 Learn some of the Basics ....................................................................................................................... 16 Philippine Census Reports for Ivatan speakers: ...................................................................................... 16 Cultural terms of the Ivatan people: ....................................................................................................... 17 References: ................................................................................................................................................. 20

TITLE:

IVATANs-Indigenous Peoples, Filipinos key of the Past:

A web based participation encounter of the future generation

Executive Summary: About the Client: Friendly Borders, World Ethnic Groups, and National Museum of the
Philippines Friendly Borders with World Ethnic Groups strives to preserve ancient and modern culture and languages around the world. Founded in 2004, it has established numbers of ambitious goals itself, with the aim of protecting the world cultures and languages from extinction. National Museum of the Philippines, a Trust of the Government, is an educational, scientific and cultural institution that acquires, documents, preserves, exhibits, and fosters scholarly study and public appreciation of works of art, specimens, and cultural and historical artifacts representative of our unique to the cultural heritage of the Filipino people and the natural history of the Philippines. The main purpose of these institutions is to preserve the national culture and languages of the Ivatans (oldest reining ethnic group in the northern part of the Philippines). Currently, the National Museum national network comprise nineteen regional, branch and site museums throughout the archipelago. The National Museum manages and develops the national reference collections in the areas of cultural heritage.

Synopsis
On the counterpart, this study on the Indigenous Peoples of the Philippines, with the administration of the Friendly Borders/World Ethnic Groups, and The National Museum of the Philippines, bespoke me to create a prototype referring on A web based participation encounter of the future generation, this website allows the audience to actively participate and share their encounters with ethnic tribes by posting their videos and photos. This new develop technology will enable the future gen to actively participate on forums, (pcmag 2013) A Web site that provides an online exchange of information between people about a particular topic. It provides a venue for questions and answers and may be monitored to keep the content appropriate.

Objectives:

This project aims to: To educate the young one about the importance of a culture Give the young citizens a deeper understanding on culture Help preserve and enhance the languages and the culture of those ethnic peoples

Theoretical and intellectual issues

The site features some selected insights, information, and useful videos and photos of the Ivatans of Batanes. Accoding to the : Friendly Borders, World Ethnic Groups, and National Museum of the Philippines the Ivatans of Batanes are one of the most preserve tribes in the Philippine Archipelago.

As we venture and grow old, some of us are unfamiliar of this people who are actually part of our past and these are the people that continue to nurture our culture here in our world. The site is an open blog, which the viewer can interact with the host through participating on the blogs that are posted they can also watched videos through the help of Youtube and upload comments and suggestions on each articles that are posted. The site also got some informations on the current studies on the Ivatans using the different website on the reference below.

The site of the activity is hosted to a dedicated server with adequate resources and it is accessible from the website <http://candelariorubelyn.wordpress.com/>

Introduction
Batanes - Land of the Ivatans Going to Batanes is like going back to a world frozen in time. It comprises a group of islands that for centuries has been shaped by the sea and wind. It has rugged cliffs and hills that are covered with grass and solitary trees. Cattle and livestock is not an unfamiliar scene on the hillside.

The people of Batanes, known as Ivatans are friendly by nature. The province is very peaceful and prides them with zero crime rates. The only thing violent in Batanes is the ravaging storms and typhoons that regularly visit them every year.

The Ivatans are found chiefly in the Batanes group of small islands. Most of them are on the islands of batan, Sabtang and the Itbayat. There is solid evidence for believing that present Ivatans are the Christianized surviving group of an ancient people who once occupied all of the islands Luzon and Taiwan, and who are probably reperesented in the purest from today by the natives of Botel Tobago. However, there probably exists a fairly strong cultural element on batan derived from Chinese contact which is absent on Botel Tabago. The people call their language Chirin nu Ibatan, but it is better known as "Ivatan". Its dialects are the northern (Basco), Itbayat (Itbayat Island), the southern (Sabtang Island), and possibly Yami.

The Profile
The main languages spoken in Batanes are Ivatan, which is spoken on the islands of Batan and Sabtang, and Ichbayaten, which is spoken primarily on the island of Itbayat. The Ivatan which is dominant in the province is considered to be one of the Austronesian languages. From college level down to elementary level, the dialect is widely spoken. Batanes lies on a group of islands collectively called Batanes Islands and they are the northernmost islands of the Philippines. They are located between the Babuyan Islands (belonging to Cagayan Province) and Taiwan. The islands are sparsely populated and subject to frequent typhoons. The three largest islands are Itbayat, Batan, and Sabtang. The northernmost is Mavudis Island. The islands are situated between the vast expanse of the waters of Bashi Channel and Balintang Channel, where the Pacific Ocean, merges with the China Sea. The area is a sealane between the Philippines and Japan, China, Hongkong and Taiwan. It is rich with marine resources, including the rarest sea corals in the world. The province is hilly and mountainous, with only 1,631.50 hectares or 7.10% of its area level to undulating and 78.20% or 17,994.40 hectares varying in terms from rolling to steep and very steep. Forty two percent (42%) or 9,734.40 hectares are steep to very steep land. Generally, the Ivatans (people of Batanes) are very simple. They wear simple clothes and eat local produced food. They are also recognized for being hospitable to visitors

Ivatan Culture
The cultures of the Ivatans are partly influenced by the environmental conditions of the place. Together with its culture, the architecture, agriculture, religion and the maritime technology are adopted. Unlike the old nipa huts in the country, the Ivatans have adopted a distinctive stone house. These houses are built with thick walls of stone and lime and thatched with thick layers of cogon which is designed as a protection against the unfriendly climate. Sturdier sea boats call faluas serves as the main mode of transportation in the islands. Ivatans are considered to be hospitable, religious and industrious. Their religion is mostly catholic. They are a Filipino Ethno linguistic Group. Their main dialect is Ivatan. The Ivatan literacy rates and professional education index are comparatively high. They are considered to be fluent in speaking Filipino as well as in English and many other languages. The lyric song Laji is one of the most valued traditional literary forms sung individually and its own lyrics are known to be the best Ivatan Folk Poetry. The Kalusan a working song which was sung by the Ivatans while working in the field wherein a Vachi or the song leader starts the singing is such. This province believes in Spirits World and Beliefs but never deemed to such Anitos. The entire archipelago is just like a living museum with six large rooms, the six municipality- Basco, Mahatao, Ivana, Uyugan, Itbayat and Sabtang. Time seems to be idle in this captivating place because of its well preserved natural exquisite views. Aside from its terrific natural land resources, this paradise is also rich in its marine resources, wherein most tourists are being fascinated and identify this place to be the Paradise of the North.

What is a Laji
Laji is a traditional oral poetry sang in their dialect. According to studies, Laji is sung after work hours or during the drinking sessions of the Ivatans to entertain themselves. This tradition has been with the Ivatans before the Spanish era, and it was in 1962 when it was written on the books.

Ivatan Beliefs and their Scientific Basis

Ethno - hydrography - is a study of Ivatan beliefs and practices about ocean water behaviors. It embraces the study of the rhythm of the tides, the pattern of currents anf the behavior of the water waves within Batanes islands, particularly around Batan Island.

Ethno - hydrography Beliefs:

1. The moon rises about an hour later at night.

Explanation: The moon rises 50 minutes later each night. This being so, makes the calculation of fishers of about an hour to be very close.

2. Low/hide tide is observed daily. It occurs an hour later following the motion of the moon.

Explanation: The moon influences the waters and causes the tides.

3. Currents at Balintang channel are usually strong. Navigating small vessels experience rough seas especially during the southwest Monsoon.

Explanation: During southwest monsoon, the currents at Balintang channel reach a velocity of 3 knots and become erratic.

4. Shallow portions in the water produce turbulence on the surface which is dangerous to sea crafts, and so they must be evaded.

Explanation: Shallow portions in the water are due to the elevations in the seafloor. Waters surrounding the areas rush towards the shallow portions causing waves of greater amplitude.

5. Chinahan is the best time to cross the sea in between the islands.

Explanation: Chinahan means slack water which has a velocity equal to zero. It happens when two opposing waves meet and terminate each other.

6. Reversing currents are more often experienced in between Sabtang, Ivana and Adekey.

Explanation: Reversing currents are caused by reflection of the water as they hit barriers.

7. There are two periodic currents that accompany the rise and fall of tide. These are Amteng and Isaak Currents.

Explanation: Periodic currents are tidal currents and they occur because of the change in tides.

8. The general direction of the vessels drifted by the current is towards China or Taiwan on the north.

Explanation: Currents can drift vessels. Such currents are caused by the general circulatory system of the worlds oceans. Like the Kuroshio and Equatorial currents which are classified as permanent currents. They both move northward within the Tropic of Cancer due to Earths rotation.

9. There are two high tides and two low tides in a day. If the lowest low tide occurs 3:00 PM, the first one must occurred at the same time in the early morning.

Explanation: The gravitational force of the moon on earth causes two bulges of water simultaneously occurring. One is caused by the direct influence of the moon and is called direct tide; the other in the opposite end is caused by the centrifugal force due to the earths rotation.

10. The lowest low tide takes place every full moon and new moon, when the moon is exactly overhead.

Explanation:The rotation of the earth tends to carry the tidal bulge forward of their position in a direct line with the moon. As a result, high tides do not occur until several hours after the moon is overhead.

11. Fishing during full moon is avoided because of poor catch.

Explanation: During full moon, the wind and current become relatively stronger, particularly during the southwest and the northeast monsoons. These conditions make the fishing operation difficult. Also, a full moon makes the surrounding bright by dispersing light. If a fishing gear that makes use of a weak ordinary light is employed, no fish will be become attracted to it because the light is not concentrated.

Ethno - Agricultural Beliefs - is a study of Ivatan beliefs and practices about farming.

Ethno - Agricultural Beliefs and Practices:

1. "Avayat" (West wind)

- Harvesting banana and citrus fruit is not advisable during west wind. Likewise, strong crops (rice, corn, garlic, and other root crops) are prevented because accordingly, mealy bug infestation occurs and agricultural products easily get spoiled. Farmers also refrain from weeding their farms during west wind.

Explanation: The beliefs and practices in relation to west wind direction has something to do with the humidity of the atmosphere combined with strong sea sprays thus affecting generally those agricultural products to rot.

2. Covering Laveng with Vula leaves (Colocacia macrohriza Linn.)

- "Laveng" is a farming practice usually employed to yam and spiny yam, which is done after preparing the seed-pieces intended for planting division. It is a pit-like structure about one and a half foot deep and one meter long. After the seedpieces have been prepared vinadtak, these are nicely arranged in the laveng in a pile structure. After this process, it shall be covered with vula leaves prior to covering with surface soil.

Explanation: The leaves serve as protector from too much moisture during heavy rains and provide warmer temperature to heal the wounds of seed-pieces. It also prevents them from the attack of soil pathogens.

3. "Kapanavun su atngeh nu muhamuha" (Hilling-up)

- Hilling-up as a farming practice is done simultaneously with weeding and cultivation. This is accomplished by loosening the soil around the plants, followed by scraping it towards the basal portion of the plant forming a mound-like structure.

Explanation: It provides good soil tilth, aeration, and adequate area for storing moisture during rainfall, expansion of tubers and good establishment of roots to prevent plants from lodging during strong winds.

4. "Maytutu du isa-isan" (cutting of branches of trees along the sides or borders of the farm area)

- Farmers practiced cutting of branches of trees in all sides of the farm area usually done before or just after planting. This practice is employed with the belief that sunlight is very important to the growth and development of the crops.

Explanation: This is practiced to prevent the plants from suffering stress of etiolating or the discoloration of the leaves of the plant due to sunlight deficiency which affect the photosynthetic activity of the plants.

Ethno Climatic Beliefs - is a study of Ivatan beliefs and practices about weather forecasting.

Ethno Climatic Beliefs:

5. When the color of the sunset is intensely orange, in 2-3 days time, a typhoon will come.

Explanation: When a typhoon is about to come, its winds can already be felt even if it has not yet reach a particular place. And because of this, dust particles and soot particles spread into the atmosphere scattering the rays of the sun making the whole sky painted yellow red or orange.

6. Ivatans say that when the native orchid kaduday and the native daffodils plants bloom, they bring not only rain but most of the time storm.

Explanation: The native orchid only blooms during rainy season because this is its flowering time. Same is true with the native daffodils.

7. When winged ants come out, it foretells rain.

Explanation: Ants have the ability to sense when rainy season is approaching and when this time comes, they take their food and head for shelter.

8. When aryes and palomaria trees along the roads and farms bear shoots usually foretell the coming of rains and winds.

Explanation: These trees can only bear and produce shoots during windy and rainy weather

because this is where they can adapt. That is why the aryes is a very strong tree particularly during tropical storm. It is because they have adapted to the weather for they only bear shoots when winds and rain comes

9. When the moon forms a halo or a corona around it, this illustrates observable fact that there would be a strong current on the following day.

Explanation: The ice crystals that cover the halo signify high altitude, thin cirrus clouds that normally precede a warm front by one or two days. Typically, a warm front will be associated with a low pressure system which is commonly referred to as a storm.

Ethno-Agricultural Beliefs:

1. It is mostly appropriate to plant during high tide to ensure a good harvest.

Explanation: High tide raises the water table. This enables the plants to this increase the amount of water available to the plant. Thus, planting crops that require water like root crops, and rice may bring about a good harvest.

Ethno-Pediatric Beliefs:

1. Do not take too much sweet food during pregnancy period.

Explanation: Pregnant mothers are prevented from eating sweet foods or other energy-rich foods only if they are diabetic. Diabetes, whether appearing only before the pregnancy or before it, may result in the development of characteristically big babies. Fetal size is one of the crucial determinants in vaginal birth.

2. Walking the woman around the house to empty her water bag during labor is supposed to ease childbirth.

Explanation: Walking stimulates uterine contractions. When the contractions become active, the pressure becomes strong enough to cause progressive rapid cervical dilatation. Sometimes, the water bag incidentally ruptures as a result of the contractions. As the water or amniotic fluid, begins to come out, the baby is forced to come out also. Rupturing of the water bag is preferred when the opening of the cervix starts to reach 6 centimeters wide and the mother is expected to deliver within a few hours. Otherwise, a too early rupture will expose the baby to an unsterile environment where he/she may become infected.

Other Beliefs:
1. Ivatans avoid ironing clothes while in an open air.

Explanation: Anyone working in an occupation such as ironing, in which they extensively use their hands is said to be prone to pasma. From the traditional cause of "init" and "lamig", this is a traditional concept sufficiently intact in the contemporary Philippine psyche to be accepted, alone as a cause for pasma.

2. Whenever faunas such as snakes and insects from the Mt. Iraya descend to the community, a volcanic eruption is expected to happen.

Explanation: Swelling of the volcano signals that magma has accumulated near the surface causing the rise of soil temperature and so these faunas tend to leave the mountain. 3. Mothers who newly delivered a baby arent allowed to read for theyll experience aches. Explanation: Because of the mothers drain labor, they still cannot regain their normal health status and so they can easily get tired and dizzy.

4. Mothers who delivered their babies at home wear binders tahed.

Explanation: This supports the lower abdomen of the mother due to the expansion of it and to bring back the hip bone to its normal position.

Learn some of the Basics

Ivatan (Chirin nu Ibatan) is a language spoken by 30,000 people on the Batanes Islands, north of Luzon Island, Philippines, and south of Taiwan. There are also about 1,000 Ivatans relocated on Mindanao near the boundary of Bukidnon and Cotabato. The genetic affiliation of Ivatan is still questionable. It is tentatively classified as a member of the Northern Philippine family which comprises the languages of the Batanes (Bashiic languages), Cordilleran languages (such as Ibanag, Ilocano, and Pangasinan), and those of Northern Mindoro. Standard Ivatan is based on the Basco dialect. The three main dialects are northern (Basco), Itbayaten (Itbayat Island) and southern (Sabtang Island).

On the Island of Babuyan, the language IBATAN is spoken by about 900 people. Its intelligibility with Itbayaten Ivatan is 64%, and its intelligibility with Basco Ivatan is 31% (SIL). SIL reports a 60% literacy rate on Babuyan and a 91.8% literacy on Basco.

Philippine Census Reports for Ivatan speakers:

1948: 13,367 1960: 11,882 1970: 14,105

Cultural terms of the Ivatan people:

Foods: uve: yam (staple crop); sudi (taro), wakay (sweet potato), bulyas (onions). Animal husbandry: baka (cow), kaddin (goat). Work: kayvayvanan (friendship, cooperative work by a community which starts at the blow of a shell horn called a vodiadong); payohoan (helping one another, work club of teenagers who alternate their shifts).

Boats: three boats for fishing are called paluwa, chinarem, and the tataya.

Phonology:

Vowels a, e, i, u; Diphthongs: aw, iw, ay, ey, oy Consonants b, ch, d, f, g, h, hh, j, k, l , m, n, n, ng, ny, p r, s, t, v, w, y.

Numbers:

1 asa 2 dadwa 3 tatdu 4 apat 5 dadima 6 anem 7 papitu

8 wawahu 9 sasyam 10 asa puho. [ = glottal stop]

Selected Proverbs:

Ipangudidi mu u mapya nanawu. (carry you ART good teaching) Carry with you good teaching, always bear in mind sound advice. Arava u mayet an namaes u ryes. There is no strong man when the sea is at its worst. Arava u ryes a abu su vinyedi. There is no current that does not bounce back. Tumuhutuhud makaysed a tachi. The feces that is dropped is sure comfort (consumated things are permanent). Ulungen mu ava u kakedkeran mu. Do not gore the peg where you are tied (do not forget your heritage). Matakaw ava dimu u kasulivan. Nobody can steal your knowledge. Nyeng mu a hukbiten ta isek ni tatumuk. Grasp the opportunity because the bed bugs will carry and hide them inside the floor. Kanen mu ava u kakamay mu. Do not eat your fingers (do not take advantage of your relatives). Arava u susuhan da su vahay a mapsek. No one burns the house of a good man.

Selected Idioms:

Mahmahma u vatu kan uhu naw. Stones are softer than his head (he is stubborn). Umsi ava su vahusa u kamates. Tomatoes do not bear eggplants (children are like their parents).

Tud da payramun u vinata naw. They washed their face with what he said (they did not understand him). Inulay mu ta tya naydited u uhu na. Leave him alone for his head is tangled (leave him alone as he is upset). Machitbatbay ka avan asa ka kaban amed. Do not speak of a cavan for a measuring lime unit (you are out of order).

References:
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/archaeology/research/tags/culturalheritage http://www.friendlyborders.org/ http://www.nationalmuseum.gov.ph/nationalmuseumbeta/Mandate%20and%20Objectives.html http://www.friendlyborders.org/about-us/ http://www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia/term/57794/internet-forum http://www.nationalmuseum.gov.ph/nationalmuseumbeta/Mandate%20and%20Objectives.html http://iloko.tripod.com/Ivatan.htm http://www.mysmartschools.ph/web/ivatanbeliefs/ivatan_belief.html http://library.thinkquest.org/C003235/ivatan.html wikipilipinas/laji http://www.mysmartschools.ph/web/ivatanbeliefs/ivatan_culture.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batanes