Anthropologists Apologize to Lumads

Mindanao Culture and Arts
Museum and Research


Anthropologists Apologize to Lumads

Carolyn O. Arguillas / MindaNews

ISLAND GARDEN CITY OF SAMAL - "Patawarin n'yo kami" (Please forgive us).

A public admission of guilt and a public apology to the Lumads, delivered by no less than the president of the Ugnayang Pang-agham Tao (UGAT or Anthropological Association of the Philippines), capped the three-day 24th National Conference of anthropologists here.

"I publicly would like to apologize to the Datu," said Prof. Leonardo Estacio, UGAT president, as he called on his colleagues to do "a lot of self-reflection" on the manner by which they treat their objects of study and reminded them of their reason for being and the Code of Ethics they are supposed to observe.

Estacio was reacting to a comment by Datu Al Saliling of the Arumanen-Manobo in North Cotabato of how some researchers tend to look down on Lumads as "uneducated" when "you do not even know what is our own worldview."

"Listen to us. Find out from us," he said.

Earlier, in a speech delivered in Cebuano on the Lumads' view on the peace process in Mindanao, Datu Al said "no one and forgive me for saying this, no sector is genuinely interested in the survival of the Lumad. No one."

On Monday evening, after the launching of the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism's video documentary, "Katutubo: Memory of the Dance," Beting Colmo, a Manobo from Mt. Apo, also spoke of how the ill practices of many researchers had forced them to want to be left alone.

The favorite subject of many a researcher, the indigenous peoples, whether in Mindanao or elsewhere, too often become mere objects of study, not participants, and are too often forgotten after the researcher obtains his or her masters or doctorate degree.

The researcher also too often does not return to the host community to validate the research or give them copies, in their own language, of the research findings.

Many, too, do not return documents or artifacts borrowed from communities.

"Mea culpa, kasama ako sa guilty (I am guilty, too),

Estacio said after reading in public UGAT's Code of Ethics.

The Code of Ethics, consisting of three paragraphs, is embodied in the organization's Constitution, under Article III, Section 2.

An anthropologist, the code states, "must be scientifically objective (truthful) and relevant to national and community goals; sincere to his host community and obliged to explain to them the objectives and implications of his research; to listen to criticism by his host community of the research he has conducted; and eventually to provide them a copy of his work, ideally in their language, for the host community would be the final arbiter of the validity of his research."

An anthropologist doing research, the Code adds, "has the obligation to make available the results of his research data not only to the host community and is scientific community, but also to the larger community."

The anthropologist, the Code adds, "has the right and the obligation to criticize unethical practices of fellow anthropologists and other individuals and institutions that affect the practice of anthropology."

Two other anthropologists delivered a public apology and called on their colleagues to reflect on their practices.

It was not, however, the first time anthropologists apologized to the Lumads in an UGAT conference.

An UGAT member told MindaNews that he has witnessed public apologies to indigenous peoples in several UGAT conferences, "and yet, many, unfortunately, have not learned from the mistakes."

http://www.mindanaoculture.com/research/research/2002/anthro.shtml

Want to appreciate Mindanao better?

Want to appreciate Mindanao better?

Codes: K3 C6
Author:
Source: Mindanao Times
Date Published: 04/08/02
Starting Page: internet edition

WANT to have a better appreciation of Mindanao in just three days? Attend the 24th National Conference of the Ugnayang Pang-Aghamtao (UGAT) or Anthropological Association of the Philippines at the Paradise Island Beach Resort from Monday to Wednesday and listen to scholars speak about the distribution of archaeological sites in Mindanao from the Paleolithic age to the present by island and provinces; the origin of Monkayo; the Higaonon decline in Northern Mindanao; the implications of the Butuan archaeological find on Asian linkages; how a T'boli epic singer and a Manila-based diva relate with Lake Sebu; a Manobo feminist practice in the oral epic Agyu; the subjectivity in the Agusan Manobo's ted-em (song).

Learn about the Tudbulul, the song of the old T'boli man; the indigenous concepts of power and the artisan's muse among the Tagabawa Bagobo in Sibulan, Davao del Sur; the bio-diversity conservation program in Lopez Jaena, Misamis Occidental; the shifting anchorage and violence in the lives of the Badjao; the survival of Sama-Dilaut in an urban setting; the Iranun historiograpical contours of the Subpangan principality and the Pulangui River-Illana Bay Corridor from 1515 to 1765.

Under the conference theme, "Rootwork and Network: Weaving Mindanao Anthology," four panels have been created to tackle archaeology, history,ecology; indigenous art, music and rituals; Asia-Pacific perspectives on Mindanao; and cultures of peace, violence and development.

Ever wondered how Indonesians view Mindanao and the Mindanawons? Find out from Herry Yogasawara of the Indonesian Institute of Sciences. Floor Quibuyen of the University of the Philippines in the Visayas will tackle wayfinding, a "disappeared" knowledge in Philippine pre-history and anthropology; Gus Miclat, executive director of the Initiatives for International Dialogue will talk on solidarity and the Mindanao struggle; while Aurora Roxas-Lim of the University of the Philippines' Asian Centerwill deliver an overview of the East Asean Growth Area. Panel 4 on the Cultures of Peace, Violence and Development will have Cynthia Neri Zayas of UP Diliman speak on "Shifting Anchorage and Violence in the lives of the Badjao;" Anthony R. Balisi also of UP Diliman will talk on "Panandayuhan at Pang-aangkop: Ang Usapi ng mga Badjao ng Mindanao;" Nimfa Bracamonte of the Mindanao State University in Iligan will tackle survival in an urban setting among the Sama Dilaut; Vel J. Suminguit, Ma. Easterluna S. Canoy and Merlyne M. Paunlagui will present a paper on creating space for local forest management; Prof. Rudy Rodil of MSU Iligan will speak

Source: http://www.afrim.org.ph/Archives/2002/MindanaoTimes/April/09/Want%20to%20appreciate%20Mindanao%20better.txt