Changing cultural perspectives : from the lens of the Tagakaulo tribe in Ma-a, Davao City

Abstract

Indigenous people migrating to urban centers is a growing concern worldwide and the Tagakaulo tribe from Malita, Davao del Sur is no exception. At least forty three families from their tribe left Malita, their place of origin and they are now in Ma-a, Davao City. The reasons for their displacement and the problems they encountered in their new environment, the traditional practices that were retained; those that were eroded and the concomitant changes in their cultural perspectives are explored. Using the phenomenological approach, six key informants were selected to describe in detail their journey to the urban center and the changes in their cultural perspectives. The participants shared their apprehensions on how to preserve their culture that is facing threat of extinction as a result of their displacement. Their stories point out to several changes in their way of life such as their customary laws regarding land ownership, livelihood, education and cultural identity. As they experience cultural identity confusion, they believe that a liberating education will help process cultural identity resolution towards what they really want as a people. Conscious attempt to revive “palnao,” the Tagakaulo’s way of teaching their children to behave, show respect, not to think ill or do harm to others; the traditional healing; relearning songs and dances like Udol that can put them into the mainstream of urban festivities where they can showcase their cultural heritage; review of other practices like marriage and death rituals to determine if these should be retained, modified, or erased; and the conviction that practices like witchcraft and the use of poison is bad and should be erased. The study concludes among others that internal displacement of indigenous people including the Tagakaulo tribe is going to be a continuing concern as more and more of these groups will be migrating to the city because of poverty and lack of government support on livelihood, education and other basic social services in the countryside. These in turn cause the changes in their cultural perspectives and indigenous practices.

Key Words: changing cultural perspectives, displacement, Tagakaulo Tribe, phenomenological, Ma-a, Davao City