Ganging on the gongs

BANGLADESH -- If there is one thing which brings Indigenous Peoples together, it’s the playing of the drums and gongs. And so it is manifested during wedding celebrations, victorious exploits, and agricultural festivals when the community members come together and join in the celebration of the event. It is during this time that relatives, friends and the community join in the celebration and feel the spirit of what cultural togetherness means.

In contemporary times, we have been witness to the conduct of the Lang-ay festival among the people of the Mountain Province come every April 7 in commemoration of the celebration of the province’s foundation when residents from the ten towns come together and share the diversities of their respective culture.

The Adivay Festival among the Benguet people also do likewise during their foundation day. A moment of togetherness is also witnessed among Ifugaos during their Tungoh or Imbayah festival in June.

It is interesting to note that even hostile tribes come together and take part in such celebration as noted among the feared Basao tribes during the laglagsak ya ab-afak (fun and contest) Unoy Festival in Tinglayan Kalinga. Such an effective way to bring warring tribes together which is seeing progress.

Similar activities happen during this festivals- a display of cultural attires, cultural presentations, indigenous games, photo exhibits, and the conduct of a cultural ceremony to grace the occasion.

Among the Adivasi- Santals of northwest Bangladesh, while they conduct the above, they hold the festival to discuss issues which are vital to them. In a Baha (Spring) festival for one, some Santals here at Godagari of northwest Rajshahi came together and talked about their land- related problems in workshops specially held for the purpose.

Much as they held discussion workshops among themselves, speakers also delivered their thoughts and perspectives on dealing with the current land problems of the indigenous peoples here.

Some 90 percent Adivasis here are landless due to land grabbing committed by non-Adivasis. Even their sacred graveland of their forefathers have been turned into khas land (land open for application) by the government of Bangladesh .

Likewise, with the issue of autonomy and other issues as well which hound the Cordillera, festivals could play a big role in coming up with collective insights on how development could be seen in this very timely occasion. While it may be considered a time to play and enjoy, it is also a time to come together and talk.

The celebration of Cordillera Day for one, which is held every April 24 by the militant Cordillera Peoples Alliance makes it a point to discuss issues which are of vital importance to the economic and political life of the Cordilleran.

Autonomy is one lingering issue which had been given many attempts at making it happen. Letting it tested and discussed during these provincial festivals or during a Cordillera festival for one could be one way to know if such is a feasible idea. How consultative the discussion-participants would be though is a major consideration so that it would not end up as a gathering of power-hungry politicians or a roundtable of development technocrats.

In much the same way, other issues which grab the limelight of Cordillera concerns pertain to graft and corruption especially where it concerns infrastructure projects. Just how open and transparent government would be in finding a schedule and discussing these issues during a festival which usually lasts to a maximum of 7 days, is something to think about.

That elusive quest for unity, peace and development among Indigenous Peoples does not seem that elusive after all when festivals happen and the playing of the drums and gongs begin./ginadizon@yahoo.com