FOR THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLE
Recognition, Representation, Revolution, Respect
Itawes of the Cagayan Valley
One of the indigenous groups of Isabella, Philippines, along with the Ybanags, Yagads, and Gaddangs.
Geography
Originally, the Itawis tribe is found in the province of Cagayan where they usually settle on river banks. Two groups of Itawis are known in Cagayan Valley; one is the Itawis group of the Province of Cagayan and the other from Isabela, particulary in Echague. Two barangays were identified to be inhabited by Itawis in
Echague and these are Barangays Tuguegqrao and Salay.
Worldview and Material Culture
The Itawes are known for being religious but superstitious at the same time They are grateful to what God has given them.
Ancestors of the Itawes tribe in barangay Atulo in Iguig, Cagayan left the art of pottery making in their village as part of their culture. Villagers are now engaged in pottery business, ever grateful for their skills as they express their pride and gratitude for their abundant soil resources from They also do hunting and farming are their source of income. The Itawes believe in saints who serve as their guardians and intercessors. These saints are represented by religious images called santo.
Social and Cultural Organization
The Itawes during the ancient time were from the province of Cagayan. They lived in the territory drained by the Chico and Matalag rivers as well as all of Southern Cagayan from Nasiping to the Village of Cayug, now the town of Enrile. The term Itawes was derived from the prefix "l"which means "people" and root word "tawid" which means "across the river." Itawes therefore are the people living across the river. They are also called Itawit, Tawis, Itavi, Itaves and Kaggi. Itawes resisted the Spaniards who tried to invade their settlement
Issues Confronting the Group
The Itawes met the colonizers with resistance, the Spanish prevailed converting their religion into Roman Catholic. To avoid further conflict, they left their land in Cagayan and found settlement in Isabela. Though majority of them live in Isabela, some Itawes students are studying in Tuguegarao where they are often discriminated because of their language but that problem won't stop them from educating themselves well in fact. their literacy rate is 97%.
Media
An infographic of the contents here about the Itawes by Chezka Sinco and Achim Lumague
References
[1] Hilda A. Manzolin ; Lalainie L. Quilang. "Revisiting the Traditional Practices of the Itawis Families of Isabela, Philippines". The 4th International Conference on Magsaysay Awardees. Good Governance and Transformative Leadership in Asia, 31 May 2016, College of Arts and Sciences, Isabella State University, Philippines.
[2] Hilda A. Manzolin, "Itawes Indigenous Foods: Their Health and Socio-Cultural Meaning", vol. 10 no.1 (2014). IAMURE International of Social Sciences. July 19, 2021.
[3] Census of the Philippines: Cagayan- 2000. Manila: Bureau of Census and Statistics, 2000.
[4] Rodel B. Guzman, "WEDDING STAGES AND RITUALS AMONG THE INDIGENOUS ITAWES IN ISABELA, PHILIPPINES", Journal of Critical Reviews, Vol 7, Issue 11, June 5, 2020, p.2, Advance Scientific Research,(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.31838/jcr.07.11.01
[5] Celia M. Reyes, et.al, "Inequality of Opportunities Among Ethnic Groups in the Philippines", Philippine Institute for Development Studies, SERIES NO. 2017- 42, p50, Dec 2017, https://www.pids.gov.ph/ , July 21, 2021
Interview:
Marianne Joyce Furigay /18 years old/ Penablance, Cagayan/ July 22, 2021