Sote

The Manobos of Bislig

“Ang yuta mao ang among kinabuhi. Mao kini ang tinubdan sa among kinabuhi sukad pa sa panahon sa among amahan ug iyang amahan ug mga apuhan. Mao kini ilang kabilin sa amoa aron magpadayon kaming mabuhi. Amo ni aron protektahan ug among responsibilidad ang itunol kini sa kaayuhan ug kalamboan. Naningkamot mi ug padayon sa pagpaningkamot…ngano ipanghatag man sa uban?”

“Our land is our life. It is the source of our life since time beyond our memory. The forest, rivers, and the animals within have been the source of our life since time beyond our memory. It has been what our fathers’, their fathers’, and forefather’s legacy. The Tinuy-an Falls saved us from slavery, the forest filled our stomachs, and the streams strengthened our spirits. Protecting the environment is not only our responsibility, but our life. For us to stay alive, we have to fight for it entirely. Why would we just give it to anyone?”

Origins

The first inhabitants of Bislig were believed to be Manobos who came from the Agusan Valley in the hinterlands of Mindanao beyond the Magdiwata Mountains. They occupied the center of Bislig but later on established the community within the lushed forest as migrants and conquistadors during the Spanish era tried to take control. Since then, they have been occupying the mountains and cultivating the forests maintaining their significant link with their territory and the resources within it.

Demographics & Geography

The island of Mindanao, south of the Philippines, is composed of 18 major ethnolinguistic groups. The Manobo are probably the largest population and diverse in terms of the relationships and names of the various subgroups that belong to this family of languages. There are Manobo in Agusan del Sur, Davao provinces, Bukidnon, North and South Cotabato, and a community in Surigao Agusan del Sur.

Located at the hills of the popularly known coastal province of Surigao del sur is the Manobo community of Sote where the majestic Tinuy-an Falls is found. This recently proclaimed protected landscape has been managed and protected by the community since time immemorial by sustainable conservation practices ingrained in their lifeways.

The Ancestral Domain of the Manobo community of Sote covers parts of Barangay Mone and Barangay Burbuoanan in the City of Bislig, Surigao del Sur. The City is a third class component city and the most populous in the province of Surigao del Sur. This charming city facing the Pacific Ocean is surrounded by lush natural forest and has a land area of 40,503 hectares spread over 24 barangays.

Socioeconomic Profile

Today, with a population of roughly 1,500, the community is engaged in a mix of livelihood production systems including swidden farming, settled multi-crop and intercrop agriculture, hunting and gathering, livestock raising, fishing and production and trade in local handicrafts as souvenir items.

Most families cultivate rice, corn, legume, root crops, vegetables, fruits, and coconut, as well as abaca and pulp-wood trees. In conjunction with farming, some community members work as laborers, habal-habal drivers, and tourist guides.

Culture and Tradition

Up until today, the Manobo of Sote still follow sustainable farming, hunting, and fishing practices with traditional tools made from materials indigenous to their territory. Harvests and catch are primarily for subsistence only. Surpluses are usually shared or given to other community members who need it.

Governance

Hawudon Tinuy-an Alfredo Domogoy, the Manobo chieftain, got his name from iconic falls behind him. He said he does not come here as often as he used to because of the influx of tourists.

Hawudon Sayaw Rodino Domogoy, Tribal Chieftain Hawudon Alfredo Domogoy, Elder Jovito Villenas, and Hawudon Sungkuan Nemesio Domogoy.

The Manobo Tribal Council of Sote (MATRICOSO) acts as a legal body tasked to manage business affairs and implementation of community development and conservation activities. MATRICOSO serves as the community’s representing body in negotiations and discussions with the Government and other support groups. They are the umbrella organization composed of the ancestral domain sectoral leaders, the council of elders, and headed by the Tribal Chieftain Hawudon Tinuy-an Alfredo Domogoy. The MATRICOS administers the overall governance and management of the Ancestral Domain and its people.

In conjunction, the community also established the LIT-AG Force, which is a special group of Ancestral guards composed of both Tribal Council leaders and either Manobo or long-time  migrants in the ancestral domain who identify with the Manobos’ cause. Their main function is to defend the territory from illegal poachers, illegal loggers, and other entities in offense within their territory.

The territory is divided into nine (9) sectors to better manage it. The sectors are named after major water bodies in each area namely Danao, Tinuy-an, Tabonan, Anislag, Mag-usa, Baguis, Daganluson, Sungkuan, and Sayaw. Each sector is headed and overseen by a Hawudon. The sectoral leaders implement the traditional  policies in resource utilization.

Sote as an ICCA

“Kaning atong kinaiyahan, protektahan nato kini. Kay kini mao ang atong daganan sa tanang panginahanglanon nato. Kung kita masakit, kung kita magutom, kinahanglan ug puluy-anan, sinina, ug mainom, kini magahatag kanato ug kinabuhi.”

This world and environment we live in, we have to protect this. This is where we run to for all our needs. When we get sick, get hungry, need shelter, clothing, get thirsty, it will give us life.

The Manobo community of Sote declared their whole territory as their Pangasananan or their Indigenous Community Conserved Area (ICCA) with the belief that their land is indivisible in terms of protection and conservation. Their land shall be seen as a whole where changes in one part affects change in the other. It is inseparable as their agricultural lands provide for the people to take care of the sacred places and primary ecological areas, as well as these primary ecological areas house the spirits that protect not only the resources inside their forest, but most importantly, allow community members to sustain their living holistically inside their Ancestral domain

Pangasananan came from the Manobo term pangasan which means the act of obtaining food and other needs i.e. timber, ritual materials, decoration, household materials etc. and “anan" as suffix denoting a place. The term literally means a place where food, medicines, and other needs are obtained.

For the Manobo people, the Pangasananan is everything they need. It provides them food, shelter, medicines, water, and defines their identity. Its destruction is also their downfall. Hence, it is of prime importance for them to protect, conserve, and manage it to ensure their survival. They cradle their Pangasananan like a child, as this translates as their heritage, their life, a badge of their honor, that their ancestors fought for and their children will continue to protect.