Baguio Council decries improper use of Igorot ‘Bahag’
Courtesy Google Cartoon image
The Baguio City Council has joined the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples- Cordillera Administrative Region (NCIP-CAR) in calling out the alleged inappropriate use of the Cordilleran G-string or “bahag” in the show called “Alay nina Alice at Agnes.”
Staged by the Metropolitan Theater, the show was part of the celebration of the 50th anniversary of “The Order of National Artists.” It featured dance performances of two national artists, Alice Reyes and Agnes Locsin.
The first part of the show titled “Igorot” showed female performers wearing “bahag” instead of “tapis”, to the outrage of the members of the Indigenous Peoples in the region.
“Bahag” is a loincloth used by men while “tapis” is a woven fabric wrapped around the lower half of a woman’s body.
“Igorot” was choreographed by Locsin and performed by the Bayanihan Dance Co.
According to the resolution authored by Councilor Fred Bagbagen and approved by the city council, the ‘provocative’ performance has not only failed to truly express its correct theme and promote appreciation and information on unique culture of its subject but has also ridiculed and made fun of the traditional attire and culture of the Indigenous Peoples of the Cordillera.
“The discriminatory profiling of the traditional attire and highland culture of the Indigenous Peoples of the Cordilleras has become repetitious by imprudent and inconsiderate people who never bother to conduct a through research on the history of the Bahag and do not consult indigenous communities on how the traditional attire is fittingly used,” Bagbagen stated in his resolution.
In his October 17 interview with the Mt. Province Broadcasting Corporation, NCIP-CAR Regional Director Atanacio Addog emphasized that the “bahag” should not be worn by women. He said a more “drastic” action is necessary to address the “recurrent” misrepresentation of the Cordilleran people and their culture.
He said the IP communities in Ifugao had already been informed about the alleged improper use of their traditional garment and that the NCIP-CAR would consider whatever punitive action they would suggest against such an act.
Addog bemoaned the constant misrepresentation of the Cordilleran people and their culture by organizers and producers.
Earlier, organizers of an international male pageant drew flak for the alleged misuse of the “bahag” after contestants from 40 countries wore the indigenous garment in the swimsuit competition of the contest that was held last June 14.
In his statement regarding the issue, Addog stressed that the traditional G-string “should be accorded the highest respect by wearing them properly and for the purpose they were made” like any other traditional garment.
He stated it is the indigenous community that would decide whether an artifact, dance, or craft like weaving and indigenous garments may be altered or modified to suit modern lifestyles. –Jordan G. Habbiling w/ reports from Vincent Cabreza
