The Aetas are an indigenous people who live in the mountainous regions of Luzon, most notably in the province of Zambales. They are usually darker and smaller in frame and height than the average Filipino, and tend to have curly or kinky hair. Of course, they now live like any other Filipino, and these three young men donned their traditional bahag (loincloth) only to demonstrate several of their traditional dances during our Zoobic Safari tour. But truth be told, like many other indigenous peoples in the Philippines and all over the world, they have problems claiming and protecting their ancestral domain from people who want their land, and their access to basic services (eg, healthcare, education) and employment opportunities are not at par with with the rest of the population.
June 16, 2013
Filipino Australo-Melanesians
The Aetas are an indigenous people who live in the mountainous regions of Luzon, most notably in the province of Zambales. They are usually darker and smaller in frame and height than the average Filipino, and tend to have curly or kinky hair. Of course, they now live like any other Filipino, and these three young men donned their traditional bahag (loincloth) only to demonstrate several of their traditional dances during our Zoobic Safari tour. But truth be told, like many other indigenous peoples in the Philippines and all over the world, they have problems claiming and protecting their ancestral domain from people who want their land, and their access to basic services (eg, healthcare, education) and employment opportunities are not at par with with the rest of the population.
A most interesting post. It seems I remember an American officer who hid out on Luzon and did guerrilla warfare against the Japanese during WWII with the help of the indigenous people...or maybe I'm thinking of another island?
ReplyDeleteAt any rate, this is a very nice portrait and I like the way you got the statue in the background!
Thanks for sharing this information. They look proud.
ReplyDeleteNice portraits, interesting story.
ReplyDeleteThe erosion of indigenous cultures is such a loss for mankind, and is one of the horrible remnants of colonialism.
ReplyDeleteInteresting post, Hilda.
ReplyDeleteIt's a shame that such problems are common for so many indigenous people worldwide. I hope these young men find a way to balance having a foot in both worlds. Great portrait.
ReplyDeleteThey remind me of some indigenous tribes in the remote parts of Indonesia. Once I watched a dance performance whose dancers wore similar loin cloth in Manila. I don't know if they were from the same tribes. I enjoyed their dynamic dance though.
ReplyDeletethe aetas are now in service/entertainment industry, or am i wrong in this assumption?
ReplyDeleteInteresting post. I didnt know about the Aetas people.
ReplyDelete