TAGABAWA

From Hunting to Farming: and Beliefs Rituals

BRIEF HISTORY
Tagabawa bawa which means south They are one of the Bagobos subgroups First indigenous community to be discovered by

the Spaniards Considered most well-dressed by the Americans The biggest history in Tagabawa was the period of military activities in their land. In the early 70s Tagabawa Bagobo evacuated to Toril, Poblacion due to peace and order situation.

HUNTING (MANGAYAM)
Hunting has been their primary source of food.

They do rituals to ask for the hunters protection.

It is only done from the month of February until

the end of August. Hunting usually lasts for 3 days

They hunt wild boars, langgam (bird) and

binaw (deer). They use lit-ag (traps) or bangkaw (spears) to capture animals and are forbidden to capture small and pregnant animals so as not to disrupt the reproduction cycle.

FARMING (MAGTANOM)

They cultivate corn, radish, sayote, abaca, etc.

and sell to nearby towns Occasionally, they use kabaw (carabao) but they prefer manual removing of weeds using bolos.

HUNTING VS. FARMING

Farming provides more stable food than

hunting Hunting is very difficult compared to farming Faming provides a stable source of income Vegetables are also healthier than meat

FARMING RITUALS
The tagabawa only plant when it is tibuk (full

moon) and barang (quarter moon) Planting should start six days after ngitngit (new moon) because it is believed that this will bring good harvest They do not plant at noon time and during the months of May and June

They pray to the Manama*

Offering of white chicken and egg for good

harvest Bagakay (kind of bamboo) is placed at the center to prevent the crops from being cursed Balakayo (small bamboo) is placed in an area where there are lots of stars so that the crops will be blessed by heaven
* These are diwatas (fairies) that carry out punishment and give rewards

They do not remove weeds when planting to

preserve the richness of the soil The Tagabawas do not allow someone whose relative just passed away to visit the farm because they believe that the crops will die if they do so Like all tribes, they offer a thanksgiving prayer during harvest and before eating

BALATIK
Constellation of stars that resemble the Orions

belt It is also a trapping device in their native language The Tagabawas use this as a sign to start their preparations before planting and yearly sacrifice

PREPARATIONS
Consecration of tools which will be used in

cleaning the forest The offerings rice and chickens are cooked in bamboos The blacksmiths call on spirits Any activity, work, entertainment is banned for 3 days

The fields are cleaned and burned

Seeds must be sowed until after another

constellation appears which signifies the start of planting season

HARVESTING
Women use gelat a small knife in harvesting After the harvest, gatuk- biaan or pakakaro

the most abundant feast is celebrated It is the only ceremony wherein agongs are not played but native guitars and flutes are played instead The dishes used in the celebration are kept in the rice granary until the next festival Bagkes- final ritual of the season

REFERENCE LIST:
Mangune. S.D. (2001) History. Tagabawa Bagobo (pp. 2-3). Intrmuros, Manila: National Commission for Culture and the Arts Mangune. S.D. (2001) On farming. Tagabawa Bagobo (pp.28-29). Intrmuros, Manila: National Commission for Culture and the Arts Mangune. S.D. (2001) Rituals and beliefs. Tagabawa Bagobo (pp.19-21). Intrmuros, Manila : National Commission for Culture and the Arts

Santos, A.J. (2011) Knowing the tagabawa. Date Ret: December 14, 2011. http://allfreepapers.com/print/KnowingTagabawa/1281.html Dr. Dante L. Ambrosio and the ethnoastronomy in the Philippines. Date Ret: December14,2011. https://journeytothestars.wordpress.com/tag/balatik/