Get to know Barangay Tamayong: Unique cultures and traditions are here!

Do you ever catch yourself doing something that would appear seriously strange to someone from another culture? Culture and traditions vary hugely around the world. They are part of what makes our planet such a diverse and fascinating place to live.

Let’s start with some definitions!

What is culture?

Culture is the combination of a particular society or people’s ideas, beliefs, customs, arts, and social behaviors. It is the essence of that society – something that is deeply ingrained and that is unique to that particular population.

What’s a tradition?

A tradition is also deeply ingrained. It relates to a specific activity, event or behavior that has been repeated over and again from generation to generation. 

Introducing the Bagobo Klata Tribe

 

Mindanao is frequently portrayed as a dangerous, hostile, divided, political, and chaotic region. But to truly appreciate its beauty, one must engage with the vibrant Mindanao culture. Davao is one of the many cities in Mindanao. Davao City boasts of unity in diversity among the city’s population including the 11 groups with respect for one’s culture and traditions which made the city renowned for each one’s unique and rich cultural heritage.

In this blog, we are to feature Barangay Tamayong (or Tomayong as they prefer), in Calinan District: One of the barangays located in Davao City and its indigenous tribe Bagobo Klata that preserves and enriches unique cultural practices and traditions.

The Bagobo constitute one of the largest groups among the indigenous peoples of southern Mindanao.  They are composed of three (3) sub-groups, namely the TAGABAWA, the CLATA or GUIANGAN and the UBO.  Although they belong to one socio-linguistic group, BAGOBO, they also differ in some ways, such as the dialects, dance steps, costumes, and color preferences to mention a few.

PEOPLE

 Datu Marcelino “Cocoy” Betil is the Bagobo Klata Tribal Chieftain. He is one of the heirs of Datu Mongcay Betil. He is the Indigenous People Mandatory Representative (IPMR) of Barangay Tamayong Calinan Davao City.

He recently passed last September 17, 2022, and the whole Tamayong Bagobo Klata mourned in his passing for he is a great leader, as Pastor Cocoy and as a Datu or chieftain that encouraged the children, youth, and even the elderlies to showcase their identities.  

CULTURE

CLOTHING

POHORALLA

Right to left, Mrs. Leonora Naraval-Betil (wife of Datu Mongcay Betil) from Tamayong, Appu Jovencio Ambag from Wines, Baguio District (as supplied by Laarni Gaspar); Appu Jose Mandaguit Lee from Acacia, Calinan; Appu Malicon Maing from Wangan, Calinan; and Verna "Odding" Iboc Lee (wife of Jose).   

Description of individual attire:

Ø  Verna is wearing a Tawis/Honnod/Sonnod (skirt) from a Nawwo (textile) classified as "Honnod-awang" or a class with less status.

Ø  Malicon is wearing, a set of attire, which is still on its existence today; A jacket of biases made the Bagobo way, tagged as "Loku-awang", an ordinary upper garment paired with a tediously made "Saluwah" which relatively special.

Ø  Jose is wearing the upper "Loku Boggutuk" or the beaded jacket which is considered a high status apparel. As far as I know, the jacket is owned by the father of Datu Mongcay Betil, Datu Betil Bagobo, when dated, is now on its over 150 years of existence. It is now on the care of Cocoy Betil. The tight fitting pataloons he is wearing is extraordinarily rare, which is identified as "Saluwah ngo bononom" or the all-embroidered pants, with no trace of bead embellishment.

Ø  Jovencio, is wearing the upper "Loku-awang", with the appliques and pants like that of Malicon, with the "Tutuk" on the knee part, then embellished with beads of various colors.

Ø  Leonora, is wearing the Labboy or the sash made of beads with Bagobo geometrical designs, with a biased upper. She is wearing a special type of skirt, identified as the "Kinna-ino" class- that is, this kind of skirt is made from three panels, with the center panel as the mother piece, with design fitting to the societal status of the wearer. This skirt is most probably an heirloom from the mother of Datu Mongcay, who is a respected woman, a Biyya of the Bagobo community in Tamayong. 

All of the men are on their heads, wearing the Klubow, with Malicon wearing the special "Klubow-tinangkulo".                                                                                

"LO'KU BAGOBO"

            This is one of the well-preserved Lo'ku Bagobo owned by Datu Betil of Tamayong, as he is the 4th generation to own the cloth.    

 "LOKU BOGINDU"

     Hiyas sa Kadayawan 2016, Inna Maristela Betil of the Bagobo Klata community (Hiyas sa Bagobo Klata) the pride of Barangay Tamayong; wearing one of the three types of the Bagobo attire called "Loku Bogindu". This Loku Bogindu is owned by Appo Bidang of Tagakpan, which was created in the year 1919. Bogindu, which means "heavily beaded", speaks for its glamour and intricacy.

PLABBAG AND PANGALLOY

   The way they punch holes on their ears is by way of knife cut and then gradually enlarged by a dried sugarcane. Elder Bagobos today, can be identified who once owned a pair of it, evident to the large holes on their earlobes. These garments are presently used by the native Bagobo Klata tribe people in Barangay Tamayong to showcase their creative skills and colorful crafts and arts.

        These are some of the Bagobo Klata tribe fabric design and clothing that each of them are very proud of in showcasing the whole barangay and to the city every time there are programs and activities. These are proofs of the preservation of their culture, as well as encouraging the new generations to be involved and wearing these.

FOOD

Tribu Klata Takkanna

The Bagobo Klata community decided to help operate a restaurant which showcases an authentic sensory experience of food, culture and music. Tribu Klata Takkanna was located at Purok 1, Tamayong Calinan Davao City, and is an initiative spearheaded by Lemuel Betil, a tribal elder and brother of Bagobo Klata Tribal Chieftain Marcelino Betil, and in collaboration with his wife Joy, family and the whole village. Joy’s sister Jenny Loyola, along with Camille Cinchez and Preslyn Ramos are also investors.

    Tribu means “tribe” which is the Bagobo Klata, and Takkanna in their dialect is an eatery. They hope that this enterprise will help provide a means of income as well as reintroduce the rich but fading culture of the Tribu Klata. Tribu Klata Takkanna aims to preserve its heritage by offering food prepared and cooked from local ingredients in the farm.

     As a resident of Barangay Tamayong, this restaurant speaks to the wealthy culture and the identity of the Bagobo Klata Tribe. They are known for their agriculture and for planting crops. Through their hard work, we cannot the fact that the Bagobo Klata's cuisine is unique, traditional, and delicious prepared with love and dedication.  

ARCHITECTURE

The heritage home of Bagobo Klata is unique in that it is entirely constructed of bamboo. The centerpiece of the homes is their kitchen. When visitors enter their modest home, they are greeted in this unique location and supplied with their special food and beverages.Klatas are known to be “forest dwellers”. Their tradional centers included are Tamayong, Biao, Tagakpan, Dalio, Sirib, Gunalong, and Tamugan.

The Bagobo Klata’s architecture depicts a simple but a well-organized structure. It depicts the characteristics of the tribe for whom they value God’s creation and nature. 

TRADITIONS

MUSIC 

     "PALONDAG OLE TOGO"                                                                                                                                                                    Immediately identifiable as Guiangan Bagobo, as from their outfit, the caption speaks of palandag and togo.

Palondag is a long bamboo flute, as from the image. This instrument was also seen from the house of Cocoy Betil. According to the elder bagobo, this instrument is the past time of the musically inclined male. The female instead has the stringed togô, or other communities refer this as saluroy. Togo is a bamboo zither with slits serve as the string. There are six strings actually.

DANCE

    Depicted here is a group of Bagobo people showcasing traditional dance, wherein the two males are the musician (traditionally speaking) and pair of male and female dance barefoot. Their movement, dress, and music reveal the unique Filipino culture and are important in building a national Filipino identity. The dances and music of the tribe depict planting, harvesting to thanksgiving rituals for a bountiful harvest and also other tribal practices. Their language is enriched through chants and music accompanied by traditional instruments that are uniquely performed and play. 

        Our different traditions are an intrinsic part of our different cultures. These unique cultural practices often serve to help define our sense of who we are and where we belong. Both have developed over countless generations. Traditions tend to be unique to certain societies and are usually born of local beliefs and circumstances. It is very significant that we should promote our local pride; the various cultural tribes to preserve and showcase their identities and culture as well as to encourage unity and respect.  

            

Come and visit Barangay Tamayong for more Bagobo Klata Tribe experience! Indeed, this barangay is not just only a peaceful and beautiful community but is home of hospitable, kind, and loving tribal people. Additionally,an abundant place of diverse cultural groups that will surely amaze and inspire us.

Purposive Communication- Prepared by Group 3

Credits to: Pagdatuá neng Bagobo Klata