Tumandok

There are 14 million indigenous people living in the Philippines belonging to 110
ethno linguistic groups. 61% are located in Northern Luzon, 33% in Mindanao and
some are in Visayas. One of the most unique indigenous people in the Philippines
are the Tumandok or Suludnon, but are also also known as the Panay Bukidnon tribe.
They reside in the Capiz mountains of Panay. Their isolation from Spanish rule
resulted in the continuation of pre-Hispanic culture and beliefs. The Panay
Bukidnon are known for their detailed embroidery and for their epic chants which
depict stories from their history as a people.

The Panay Bukidnon are also known for a tradition, which is no longer practiced
today, of creating well-kept maidens called Binukots starting at a young age.
Traditionally, the Binukot is isolated by her parents from the rest of the household at
3 or 4 years of age. She is not exposed to the sun, not allowed to work, and is even
accompanied by her parents when she takes a bath. This results in a fair, frail, fine-
complexioned and long-haired woman. As she stays at home most of the time, her
parents and grandparents entertain her with various oral lores and traditional dances.
This makes the Binukot excellent epic chanters and repositories of their history.
Tradition persists that the Binukot must not be seen by any man from childhood until
puberty. Only the family members and the female servants may come face to face with
her. In order to keep her away from mens eyes, as well as shield her from the sun, she
bathes in the river in the evening. A makeshift enclosure may also be made for her in
the river for this purpose. No man actually would dare to look at a Binukot as there
was a threat of punishment by death to anyone who would violate her by looking.
Today, the practice no longer happens. Pricilla Caballero, now blind, is still well taken
care of by her family. From the time she was a young child until her wedding day,
Pricilla Caballero was kept from the public eye, secluded to her home and rarely
exposed to the sun.

Romulo Caballero, a Panay Bukidnon elder, chanting a portion of an epic. The tribe’s
epics, or oral poetry, is transmitted primarily through chanting. The epic chants tell
stories about their legendary warriors and history and can take days to completely
chant one epic, all from memory. Their longest epic is called Hinilawod and is
considered the world’s longest known epic alongside that of Tibet’s Epic of King
Gesar. Hinilawod is a 28,000-verse epic that takes about three days to chant in its
original form.
Every Saturday, class is held in a small building which they call the ‘School for Living
Tradition.’ Here the tribe’s elders teach the children about their history, the tribe’s
lores, dances and their epic chants. During weekdays children attend regular public
school. Below this photo is a short excerpt from the epic Humadapnon.

A young Panay Bukidnon girl performing one of the tribes traditional dances. These
dances are also learned at the School for Living Tradition.

A Panay Bukidnon girl during class at the School for Living Tradition. Behind her are
verses from an epic written on a chalkboard. Many of the tribe’s epic chants have now
been recorded in writing.

It is very overwhelming to know that these indigenous people are very thorough in
preserving their tradition. In the near future the traditions are appreciated and are
still continued to promote the Philippine’s uniqueness and beauty that these small
country posses.