The Tagbanua Nobles: Masikampu Ignacio Joya



Masikampu Ignacio Joya (the 14th Masikampu) who was considered as the environmental protector of the ancient lands and sacred sites of Palawan, had the title MASIKAMPU or the Master of the Camp (Antropologist Harold Olofson); the Tagbanuas, however, quoted it for “Mas it Ampu” or higher than Lords (Ancient Syllabaries). This indicates why the Masikampu seats as the highest titular head of the earliest form of government known in the province. All affairs, even those of the past, present and future manifestations of the culture of Palawan must be with the consent and authority of the Masikampu. 

 Ampun, who was the eldest grandson of Kursud, was treated by his grandfather as his own son. He was   also trained to become a Masikampu as he did with his sons. Since Ampun did not have a real father, Kursud has become his paternal figure as he also lives with him. Relatively, Ampun, was only younger by one year than Emilio, the youngest son of Kursud with his first wife Diked. Knowledge about customary laws and with the shared intimacy between Ampun and Kursud, Ampun was the most intensively trained among eligible successors in the bloodline of Kursud. 
Fox described Ampun Huya as a very prominent and intelligent Tagbanuwa. For a person who has served as Masikampu for 27 long years, no one ever contested his authority. It was also stated that, past mayors, such as Ampun, have been Tagbanuwa. Generally speaking, the Tagbanuwa have been and are well represented in the municipal government. Even before his assumption as Masikampu, Ampun was already well versed of the customs and traditions of the Tagbanuwa. He even defended Santus during the council (pp 72). He also traveled widely throughout the domain of the cultural minorities as he functioned as the appeals judge during councils and was called by Maradia Arngao as eligible member of the council of elders.

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