For many young Mangyans, the bahag is a thing of the past

Wearing the native loincloth or G-string known as the bahag is a part of Mangyan culture, but for some younger members of the tribe, this traditional way of dressing is a thing of the past. The Mangyans are known for wearing the bahag as a sign of respect and observance of tribal rituals. Even before colonizers arrived in the Philippines, these mountain tribes would wear the bahag, Kara David said in a report on News to Go. "Nakikilalang kami ang tunay na katutubo," Laet, a Mangyan, said in the report. But it seems this recognition is slowly disappearing, as Mangyan children these days don't grow up with the tradition, according to members of the Buhid tribe in Mindoro Oriental. "Nahihiya po ako magsuot ng bahag kasi nakalabas yung puwet," said Wilbert Panganiban, a young Mangyan. Elders are not able to pass the tradition to the younger tribe members, the report said. "Unang-una, hindi na sila naturuan ng mga magulang na isuot 'yun, tuluyang mawawala na 'yung parang identity na sinasabi niyo na isa siyang Mangyan," Helen Awang, a Mangyan teacher, said in the report. According to the Katribu Partylist, discrimination is the main reason that the tribe's members are forgetting their own culture. "Puro sila Mangyan diyan sa isang komunidad, pero paglabas diyan, pagbaba sa kabayanan, nandoon yung kampulan ng tukso na ang batang Mangyan nakabahag, lawit ang buntot, yung mga ganyan. So simula pa sa pagkabata, nabubuo 'yung hindi pantay na pagtingin," said Katribu Partylist secretary general Kakay Tolentino. Some, like Awang, make efforts to teach the children the importance of tradition. "Sa pamamagitan nga ng aming mga tradisyon na ginagawa, halimbawa may kasalan, ang kailangan isinusuot kapag sila ay kinakasal, talagang ang suot nila ay bahag at tapis," Awang said. For some elder Mangyans, whether wearing a bahag or not, members of the tribe carry their identity with them wherever they go. "Tunay na katutubo, saan mang lupalup ng mga lalawigan o probinsya, basta katutubo, katutubo lang talaga," Laet said. — Carmela G. Lapeña/BM, GMA News