The 300-plus years of Spanish, and later, American colonial administration in the Philippines provided the backdrop to regionalism and distinct ethnolinguistic boundaries that borders into prejudice. This is highlighted by the acrimonious relationship between upland and lowland Filipinos, where the idea of being colonized/uncolonized became the foundation of their identities. Of particular interest is the identity of the Ifugao, whose cultural identity is centered on their rice terracing tradition and the dominant historical narrative of being ‘uncolonized’. Recent archaeological findings contest these descriptions as the shift to wet-rice cultivation and drastic landscape modification occurred soon after contact with the Spanish in the late 1500s. This presentation argues that current Philippine historical narratives perpetuate colonial-era ideas of “uncivilized” peoples. The presentation also highlights the importance of engaging descendant communities in knowledge production, which, in the Ifugao case, became a source of empowerment that allowed them to take control of their past and shape heritage education in the region.

Stephen Acabado is Assistant Professor of Anthropology at UCLA. He conducts archaeological investigations in Ifugao, northern Philippines. Prof. Acabado directs the Ifugao Archaeological Project, a collaborative research program between the University of the Philippines-Archaeological Studies Program, the National Museum of the Philippines, UCLA, and the Save the Ifugao Terraces Movement. His work revolves around agricultural systems, indigenous responses to colonialism, subsistence shifts, landscape archaeology, and heritage conservation. He is a strong advocate of an “engaged” archaeology where descendant communities and various stakeholders are involved in the research process.

Nguyet Tong
cseas@international.ucla.edu

Sponsor(s): Center for Southeast Asian Studies, Culture, Power, Social Change