BONTOC, Mountain Province – The Provincial Culture and the Arts office has taken steps to boosts the cultural values of Inayan, Lawa, Ogogfu/Obobbo and Binnadang amidst modernization and commercialization in society believed to erode such values.
The advocacy is being hastened to arrest the diminishing influence of culture on young people.
Culture encompasses shared behaviors, beliefs, values, and material objects that characterize a particular group or society. It’s a complex system learned and transmitted through generations, influencing how people think, feel, and interact.
Culture also defines what is right or wrong, acceptable or unacceptable within a group, tribes, or aggrupation. Language is a fundamental part of culture, allowing for communication and the transmission of knowledge and beliefs.
Culture is dynamic and constantly evolving: It is influenced by various factors, including globalization, migration, and technological advancements. Understanding culture is crucial for fostering intercultural understanding, promoting social harmony, and facilitating development.
The tribes of the province have their cultural values that are being practiced and to stay among the people. Among them are the cultural concepts and practices such as Inayan, LawaPaniyew, Og-ogfu/Ob-obbu and Binnadang.
Inayan attributes to the forbidden acts, thoughts, or spoken words which are ought to be considered taboo in society and observed in Igorotland. Lawa/ Paniyew is believed to be negative traits and should not be considered in dispensing actions which are anathema to right moral conduct, while og-ogfu/ob-obbu is the spirit of mutual help and is akin to “bayanihan”, a trait referred to in the other places. Binnadang is similar to og-ogfu/ob-obbu, though the former does not need to be reciprocated. It is a voluntary act of helping others without expecting something in return.
A manifestation of og-ogfu is the voluntary rendering of work such as farm activities in one or group’s paddies involving other persons rendering reciprocal works. Once done, work shall also be done in another’s rice field or farm until all the participants shall have done their tasks in all the participants’ rice fields.
This writer, as the Provincial Culture and the Arts Officer, speaking in a forum commemorating the Indigenous Peoples month culminating activities in CENRO-Sabangan at Cabunagan, Tadian, advocated for the revival of the cultural practices.
The audience were enticed to teach their children to observe the Inayan and Lawa cultural practices which are now waning. A concrete example is the bullying happening in schools which should not be done if the children embrace the Inayan practices.
In a radio program aired over Radyo Natin here, the Inayan traits were again emphasized with anchor and radio station manager John Pelew saying that “the cultural practice is similar to observing the biblical ten commandments which are, among others, honor thy parents, not to steal, not to covet thy neighbors’ goods, do not kill, and the likes”.
He cited the enormous responsibility of the office in safeguarding and promotion of culture. **ROGER SACYATEN with info from Joy Dulay
