AUTHOR/S:Leah H. Vidal
ABSTRACT
This ethnographic sketch is unlike other researches done in communities of Indigenous Peoples because the researchers themselves are members of that community and are not outsiders. It must also be pointed out that, at least as of writing, this research may be the first Tagakolu ethnographic sketch with this breadth of coverage. This work is the fruit of a passion to deepen cultural knowledge and affirm the identity of the Tagakolu workers of the Malita Tagakaulo Mission (MATAMIS) together with the members of four Tagakolu communities in the Municipality of Malita, Davao Occidental.
The research describes the cultural knowledge, skills, practices, and belief systems of the Tagakolu in the highlands of Malita where the history, the stories, and the culture of the Tagakolu as a people has evolved and continues to flourish. These are the essential threads that are woven together to form the tapestry that is Tagakolu identity.
There are four main chapters in this ethnographic sketch. The first two chapters depict the Resources, Livelihood and Arts and Crafts. This section describes the various natural resources, various livelihoods and the cultural genius of the Tagakolu. Most importantly, it expounds the Tagakolu worldview and its significant role in the life of the community. The third chapter details the Tagakolu way of Enculturation and Identity Formation. It explains family and community where a Tagakolu is born and where he or she grows up. It also describes the process of how the children learn their Tagakolu identity while growing both in a family and in a community. The fourth chapter is about the Political and Community Leadership; it describes several methods of leadership in the Tagakolu community. It outlines the crucial role of the elders as leaders in the indigenous community.
The research, being an anthropological sketch, does not fully describe the Tagakolu but is a humble attempt to make a meaningful contribution in the affirmation of the Tagakolu identity of the people that the Malita Tagakaulo Mission serves in general. More particularly, it is hope that this research becomes a useful tool in the development of the IP curriculum of the IP Schools supported by MATAMIS and in the on-going exploration of creating an indigenous catechism. Marites Talaman Gonzalo & Joey Ganio Evangelista, MJ Malita Tagakaulo Mission 10 February 2019.
It primarily utilizes a quantitative design in which the data has been collected by means of a simple descriptive survey questionnaire.
At the end of the study, it has been revealed that the teachers are highly satisfied with their job in the ADDUHS. Nevertheless, there are some aspects of the school which they desire would improve as evidenced in their comments and ratings.
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