The Story of 'Naabat Gaop'
By Mai Parco
Posted 22 December 2007
Since time immemorial the
name “Naabat” designates to a truly revered place for the
Higaunon people. It serves as one of the earliest known “safe
haven” of the tribe where around 40 to 50 pure Higaunon families
peacefully dwell. It is the same sanctuary where Buuya Binu-aya, the
legendary tribal warrior recognized as “the greatest alimaong”
who ever lived in the history of Higaunon ancestors, comes from.
Binu-aya is known for his grand courage, honor and his being a
remarkable disciplinarian in the record of Higaunon tribal defense
of the “walu ha talugan” (eight talugans).
It was only during the year
1988 where the structure in the modern context referred to as “barangay”
was introduced in the area. Politically, Naabat became one of the
sitios of Brgy. Panamin, Agusan del Sur. Nothing much has changed to
the place. Even though it already became a “sitio,” it is still
the same natural sanctuary of the many Higaunon families. Not until
Naabat was seized fleetingly by a man known as Col. Alexander Noble
of the Philippine Army who set off a revolt against the government.
Naabat became one of Noble’s battlefields, highlighted with his
troops’ encounter with the Philippine Marines dispatched by the
government in the attempt to reclaim peace and order particularly in
the mountains of Mindanao during that time.
Noble, together with his
fellow renegades in the military, was believed to have recruited
around 2,000 natives belonging to non-Muslim tribes which he trained
in guerilla warfare. Many of these natives took part in the Mindanao
rebellion Noble led in 1989. In a particular way Noble’s strategy
was viewed as favorable towards his own interest knowing that the
natives are thoroughly acquainted with the island’s terrain better
than the military’s elite troops. And especially because they can
multiply five times their original number with new recruits from
among the mountain people. (Tulfo;
2006)
During that time, the
Higaunon tribe was threatened. They were left with no choice but to
join the movement in order to save the lives of their wives,
children and their native land. The tranquil, nonviolent character
of Naabat was shattered at the time when tribes people also took
part in Noble’s coup attempt.
The Higaunons were deceived
by their own emotions inside their own territory all just because of
the outlanders’ destructive action. It’s a tragic fact that the
Higaunons, who were not directly involved in the said conflict but
merely “victims of war” because Noble’s chosen battlefield
happened to their home, were the ones who suffered the most from the
ravages of war. Not to mention the many people who have died from
the “katangkawan” (mass killing). Furthermore, they also
lost the very sources of their livelihood, like the rivers, trees,
wild animals, their lands. Their indigenous houses were even
demolished.
This “katangkawan” even
resulted to the devastation of their communal farms and fields
because of the onslaught of wild animals and pests. This came to a
point that even bizarre things happened, like frogs eating the
plants and vegetation. According to the tribal elders, this
occurrence signifies an “evil and sick place.”
Consequently, the elders were
left with no choice but to curse Naabat not to be inhabited and
could never become a fruitful and blessed “baryo” again. Pain
and fear prevailed in the atmosphere that anytime soon the same
hostilities could happen in their area. The tribe people had no
other choice but to leave behind the life they had lived in Naabat
since they could not rely on its resources anymore. They had to look
for a greener pasture and thus leave Naabat. Hence, the disruption
of Naabat gaop.
Before, there used to be 40
to 50 Higaunon families living in Naabat. But today, only three
households band together to face the odds of survival. Since then,
these three vulnerable households continue their struggle with life
in the cursed place that is Naabat.
After more than 15 years, at
about the time when Mindanao Higaunon Cumadon (MIHICU) had just been
formalized, the Higaunon tribe led by their datus went back to
Naabat to heal their painful past and build a new future, thus the
carrying out of the “Naabat Katangkawan Poghaon Singampo.” The
initiative is part of MIHICU’s objective of strengthening the ties
among Higaunon families, enlivening of their natural livelihood and
support to the movement of accounting their territories and
ancestral domain boundaries. The initial activity in Naabat was also
a demonstration of the tribe’s indigenous edict that whichever
gaop becomes helpless and at risk, must be given immediate
assistance, particularly on the spiritual aspect, like performing
rituals. Emphasis is also given on resolving conflicts.
After the recently concluded singampo
(prayer ritual), there will be follow through activities for Naabat
which would focus more on building the new Naabat community, gaop
strengthening and on the technical assistance in organizing their
land settlement. This endeavor of the Higaunon tribe would be
together with the MIHICU support group where RCED is a part of as
the lead secretariat.
Historically, Naabat is part
of Brgy. Hagpa, that’s why at the moment it is presently applying
to be counted as part of the ancestral domain for CADT 054 in
Barangay Hagpa, Impasugong, Bukidnon.
|
