The Tagbanua Political Structure: Key Positions

R-L: Descendants and usba et masikampo. Apo Iday, Apo Jim Kutat (d), Masikampo Ruben C. Joya, Maradia Teting Joya, another Usba from Cursod clan (unk), Apo Taham 

Masicampo
-A Masicampo is the primary leader among all the traditional leaders and other non Christian cultural communities whose authority extends throughout  mainland Palawan.
-Considered as the patriarch of the IPs of Palawan, settling disputes, imposing tribal laws (adat), appointing traditional leaders (bageral), and solemnizing tribal marriages.
- It is common belief among the Tagbanuas and Pala’wan of mainland Palawan that there shall be only one legitimate Masicampo of Palawan. To avoid conflicting views to the customary laws.
- in case of death of a Masicampo or upon his incapacity, the elders among the clans of the Family with the Bloodline of Masicampo also called as the Usba e’t Masicampo will convene for the purpose of choosing among them who will be the next Masicampo. The Masicampo will be chosen by a consensus of the Usba e’t Masicampo- the council of the elders of the clan. Women, youngsters and non members of the family are prohibited to participate in the deliberation.
Maradia
                                                         i.                    Maradia et Masicampo
-A position held by persons with the bloodline of a Masicampo. He also renders assistance with the Masicampo and performs other duties assigned to him by the latter.
- In case of death of the Masicampo he is tasked to gather all the council of elders (usba et’ Masicampo) to convene for the selection of the new Masicampo.
                                                       ii.                    Maradia et Manlalambay
-                 A position/ title acquired by a bageral through hierarchy and consanguinity. He must be comprehensively knowledgeable of the lambay ritual and other laws concerning thereto.
                                                      iii.                    Maradia
-                 Assists the local bagerals in settling disputes (surrugiden).
-                 This position has a broader aspect of responsibilities with respect to juridical duties to local leaders.




Maradia et Manlalambay
Wearing red, Apo Lobo (left) and Apo Lulan Mande (Right flank of the Masikampo), Manlalambay, who performed the lambay. Apo Adol Cojamco, another Tagbanua noble, stands on the rightmost. The three of them are from Barangay Magbabadil, Aborlan.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Tagbanwa Musical Instruments

Image
Daraet is one of the many festivities celebrated by the Tagbanua and Pala'wan tribes of Southern Palawan in the Philippines. Gongs, cymbals and drums are commonly seen and used. Bamboo flutes, local version of banjo and other percussion instruments are getting rare nowadays, but still around and kept by older members of the tribe.  Decades ago, the drums and gongs used to be big and usually used to announce meetings or events which transpired in the community. Story has it that when the Tagbanua Inagawan Masicampo died, the drumbeats were heard for miles alerting the people of his demise.  Please acknowledge this website and Masicampo Ruben C. Joya when you use the images here. 
Read more

The Tagbanua Race

Image
An Article about the Tagbanua by Fe Tria Fernandez.  LINK HERE . http://www.pia.gov.ph/philtoday/pt03/pt0312.htm The Tagbanuas are original race of people inhabiting Palawan. They are by far the most numerous of the ethnic groups that inhabited Palawan during the pre-Hispanic times. They are the most cultured of the original people because they have an alphabet of their own. Tagbanua music basically makes use of three kinds of musical instrument. Agong is a brass instrument 1½ feet in diameter with a fist-sized node at the center. It is played by beating the node with a stick wrapped with strips of cloth. Babandil, another kind of musical instrument, is similar to the agong but only about four inches in depth. It is played with the use of the beater made of soft wood. The sound is mellower than the gong. The third kind of musical instrument is the gimbal similar to the snare drum. It is a hollow wood 1½ feet tall, five to 10 inches in diameter and covered at...
Read more

The Indigenous People Of Palawan: Tagbanua Masikampo

Image
The anointing and "lambay" of Masikampo Ruben C. Joya The island of Palawan stands famous for its scenic and serene beaches. International magazines and travel websites consistently ranked Palawan as one of the best in the world. Aside from the natural features of the landscape, the island of Palawan is also known for its people. There is a rich demographic diversity in the island owing to the multiple ethnic tribes calling Palawan their home. The Tagbanua tribe is one of the oldest indigenous tribes thriving in the archipelago. It exists with rich and elaborate culture and traditions which is being practiced especially by tribal members in the Central coast of Palawan. At the helm of the Tagbanua society is the Masikampo (Masicampo). Considered as the highest political leader of the cultural communities of Palawan, the Masikampo works to preserve the cultural integrity and secure the well-being of the province's indigenous people. According to history, the Masikampo...
Read more