The Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act of 1997 (IPRA), officially designated as Republic Act No. 8371, is a Philippine law that recognizes and promotes the rights of indigenous cultural communities and Indigenous peoples in the Philippines.
Customary laws are essential indigenous peoples identity, defining rights, obligations and responsibilities of members relating to importance of their lives, cultures and world views. It can refer to the use and access of natural resources, land rights and obligations, inheritance and property, spiritual life, preservation of cultural heritage and knowledge systems, and many other issues.
According to several researchers Lumads tribes are distinct in their beliefs and practices according to their location.
Manobo-Pulangihon in Quezon, Bukidnon
A ritual is a ceremonial that is extremely important to the Manobo – Pulangihon tribe. Before engaging in any action, they must perform rituals to ask for particular wishes from God.
The Manobo-Pulangihon seek permission and blessings from their “Magbabaya” for a variety of activities. They perform various kinds of rituals. Each ritual necessitates the presence of specific ingredients. The ingredients usually include live chickens of different colors, white or red cloth, red or white wine, peso coins, twenty-cent coins, glass beads, tobacco, rice, lime, and other goods.
Manobo in Sitio Banahao, Surigao del Sur
The Manobo tribe in Sitio Banahao has a larger plot of land to cultivate. Their so called “umahan” is located near Sitio Mahawan, where they established their hamlet prior to the 1999 landslide catastrophe. This kind of livelihood is also known as “hungos” requires all the members of the community to engage and participate in communal farming and harvesting. They divided themselves into groups in order to maximize their time and for easy way of cropping.
There are some practices and beliefs that they need to do before they plant or do the farming, through the help of their tribal worship leader known as “Babaylan or Baylan”. This Babaylan or Baylan performs the “pag-uyagdok”, a tribal ritual in which they worship their “Magbabaya” in order to ask for a better and more fruitful harvest. This rite is carried out in the presence of the people on the land where they wish to till, utilizing a candle, mam-on, bujo, apog, chicken, and other items. The whole community will do the so-called “Kahimunan” where they market their items and perform the dancing traditions.
Subanon in Zamboanga del Sur
Subanon lived peacefully under their hereditary rules, culture, and traditions. Their place is rich and full of resources that can supply their daily needs through production, and the mountain is still suitable for planting fruits, vegetables, and other plants that will help them survive in their everyday lives. They did more than merely preserve the area; they also developed and protected their lands, which they inherited from their ancestors. They have preserved the beauty of the nature for the future generation to enjoy and live in harmony with it.
Subanon believed in various manifestations of “Diwata” (God), including Diwata of the Forest, Land, Water, Stone, and many others. They also have a type of courting known as “Guyab,” in which men and women execute a dance form of courting while holding a piece of white fabric that represents the “diwata” agreed upon by the couple.
References:
IFI Mindanao Bishops Conference-Lumad Accompaniment Program Research