BSU documents Karao-Ekip forest practices

By Jennelyn Sabado-Tabangcura

BOKOD, Benguet -- Indigenous forest conservation practices of the people of Karao and Ekip in this remote town will be published in a coffee table book and a documentary film titled, “Nu naguarey chontog, egkiyaman biyag (without mountains, we will not live).”

The book and film will contain the sustainable values and beliefs of the Karaos concerning their trees, rivers and rice fields that have sustained them for generations.

The contents of the book and film are all gathered through community consultations, meetings, interviews and field visits.

 One practice documented is the ‘tongil’ which involves the pruning of tree branches for fuel wood rather than cutting down the whole tree.

Generally, the Karaos put so much value to their mountains that community members who burn forests and cut too much trees than what is needed are despised and scolded by community elders.

The research is titled, “Indigenous Forest Conservation Practices and Farming Systems in Karao and Ekip, Bokod, Benguet.” It is a part of a research program titled, “Documentation of Healthy Indigenous Knowledge on Agriculture and Environment Conservation in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR)” which involves the State Universities and Colleges of the Cordillera Administrative Region Research and Development Consortium (SUCCARDEC), CAR Association of State Universities and Colleges (CARASUC) and the Cordillera Indigenous Knowledge Network (CordiKnown).

The BSU research team included Dr. Ben D. Ladilad, Erlinda A. Alupias, Filmore Y. Awas, Matyline A. Camfili, Maria Luz D. Fang-asan, Rachel B. Kiong, Christine Grace B. Sidchogan, Constantino T. Sudaypan, Jumar B. Yago-an and this writer.