Asia Pacific – Embracing indigeneity as a global identity
Indigenous identity should not be confined to static notions of primitiveness or simplicity, but should be celebrated for its dynamic nature and its ability to adapt and evolve while retaining its core values and cultural heritage. This was a key message from the recent gathering of Jesuit Companions in Indigenous Ministry (JCIM), attended by delegates from Taiwan, Indonesia, Laos, and the Philippines.
Indigenous came from the Latin word “indigena“, which means “native” or “sprung from the land”. It historically carried connotations of “wildness”, as it is used not only to refer to people but also to species of plants and animals. Even today, indigenous peoples continue to face the stereotype of being perceived as “wild” in the eyes of the mainstream population. Reynaflor Inantay, an indigenous youth from the Tagakaolo tribe lamented: “We are often associated with terms like ignorant or uncivilised.”
However, tradition and modernity are not mutually exclusive. The JCIM gathering, hosted at the Jesuit Retreat House in Bukidnon, a province that serves as the ancestral land for seven distinct tribes in the Philippines, highlighted the importance of redefining indigeneity within a contemporary framework. “Indigeneity is a contingent and dynamic concept that is shaped by historical struggles and lived experiences, internationalist and local social movements, and the relationship between indigenous peoples and their others,” said Fr Ogie Cabayao SJ during his talk on understanding indigeneity.
Fr Cabayao and his team from the Ateneo de Davao University Anthropology Department facilitated the workshop and discussions throughout the three days of the gathering, from 9 to 11 May. His colleague, Lawyer Gus Gatmaytan, noted that the concept of indigeneity offers a way of articulating and advancing the needs and aspirations of indigenous peoples, but continuing dialogue is necessary in recognising their agency and self-determination in shaping their own narratives and determining their paths forward. Read more…
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