Canao, and plenty of marriage offers!
Trip Start
Mar 21, 2006
1
6
55
Trip End
Oct 05, 2008
Baguio,
Philippines
Monday, May 8, 2006
On Saturday I experienced my first Ibiloi Cultural event, a Canao (pronounced with the Spanish nyeah sound over the n). This is a celebration to remember the deceased and occur anywhere from a year to three years after their death. Traditionally they are very indigenous events including blessings from Shaman's
Capitana Dancing
. In today's modern world many of the native traditions have been lost. The Canao I attended was still very authentic in dance and food but also included a modern evangelical church service. The walk down to the home of the widower was beautiful, views of the neighboring gardens and farms and as we walked I could hear the banging of the drums I would soon be dancing too!! The tradition is for the hosting family to prepare meat to feed the quest while they dance the day/night away in honor of the deceased. The large pieces of cow and pig were brought out and cut up right next to the area where we were dancing. It is also traditional for the leftover meat to be given to the guest in "doggy- bags." I am ready for a break from eating pig, to say the least!! So as my ears were adjusting to new sounds, my eyes to new scenery, my nose was also adjusting to smell of raw and freshly cooked meat directly from the pig's right around the corner. As through all my travels every sense is affected at all times. I also learned to dance the traditional Tawo. Draped in locally woven blankets while the drums wear beating I danced around the circle and all eyes were on me. This dance often symbolizes the courting between a man and a woman so there were plenty of men asking me to join them in the Tawo circle!!(Ha-Ha) I also meet a number of the women from the local co-ops and they are very eager for me to help them with their projects. The handy-crafts produced here are beautiful and I look forward to building relationships with these women!
Dancing
! They are all so welcoming and warm!!Today before heading to Baguio I had lunch with the Municipal Council in Acop. The gender dynamic challenges I will face here really started to hit in. The council is entirely made of men and while I think they will be supportive of my work dealing with constantly being asked if I will marry a local is going to be challenging! While men appear to hold all the power in the community, it is the women who are the motivators and backbone, but don't get the respect they earn and deserve. I think it is going to take a lot of time for me to be accepted as women. I can tell that my job is going to be a big challenge trying to promote tourism in an area where many can hardly put rice on the dinner table is the reality of life for so many here. This combined with the many layers of strong gender roles; I am in for a lot of work and growth. These are all wonderful but difficult challenges to overcome. On the flip side I am surrounded by beautiful mountains and plants and vegetable gardens every where I look!! And while each day is filled with it's highs and low's the breathtaking sunsets and warm simple people of Tublay and you all will all help me get through the many challenges and adventures that lay ahead!
All my love you everyone!!
PACE
Sherry
Comments
Sending you mail
Patch,
I sent you some mail on Friday and I hope it reaches you in a week or two. I mailed it to the address you first provided us with in your pre-departure email. Please update this information if it is no longer accurate as I would love to keep sending you lot's of mail. I am so sorry it has taken me so long to get something off to you. You are frequently in my thoughts and prayers and I am always so excited to hear about your work and adventure.
Love
Sarah Trent