Indigenization

INDIGENIZATION

by Antonio C. Antonio

October 29, 2014

Indigenization is a term used primarily by anthropologists to describe the process and results when upland indigenous communities are subjected to something (culture, practice or belief) from the “outside” and is assimilated by these communities.  The primary indigenous community which is internationally recognized are the Ifugaos.

“Ifugao” is a local term “i-pugo” which means “i” (signifying a person/people) and “pugo” which means “hill”.  Putting these two meanings/definitions together will simply mean “people of the hill” which is what the Ifugaos want to known for.  The Ifugao is a mountainous landlocked province in the northern part of the Luzon Island in the Philippines.  The Ifugao province is known for the Rice Terraces of the Cordilleras and the Banaue Rice Terraces which were declared as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.  The construction and subsequent productive use (rice farming) of these terraces is done using the artisan’s (meaning: a worker in a skilled trade that involves making/crafting products and produce by hand) bare hands.

The contemporary Ifugaos are agricultural families where traditional farming skills are passed on from generations to generations.  Modern Ifugao families however allowed their children to attend schools where they started to assimilate new knowledge and technology (to include information technology) as well.  This is where the conflict between old and new ways of life starts.  The more profound effects of indigenization will happen if and when indigenization of the Philippine education curriculum will happen.  This program of the DepEd has already commenced.

If we were to consider harmonizing, balancing and integrating traditional beliefs with modern technology, education should be the key to accomplishing this.  There are no quick solutions in the indigenization process.  But the fact that indigenous communities are now open to the idea of sending their children to school is a fair beginning.  “The process of indigenization would depend on the pace of each community.  It will happen in one snap.  Our target is that each school with indigenous people learners should indigenize its curriculum.  The curriculum should be culture-sensitive, contextualized, responsive and flexible for the communities.” according to Rozanno Rufino of the DepEd’s (Department of Education – Philippines) Indigenous Peoples Education Office.  For this program to work there should be an active and functional process of consulting with the leaders and elders of individual indigenous tribes for them to be able to interface their respective traditional culture and practices with the curricula for primary and secondary-level education. 

For our indigenous communities to embrace change related to economic developments, progress, modernization and modern technology, one thing is absolutely needed… indigenization.

Just my little thoughts…

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