Dimgo Ke Eata Ribo (Dream of all Eata)

THE first ever Aeta festival dubbed “Dimgo Ke Eata Ribo” or “Dream of All Eata” wherein more than 250 participants from the Aeta, Ati, Ayta and Batak communities from all over Western Visayas and Palawan including a small contingent from Manila, converged at the covered court of Malay Feb. 26-27, 2012, to share their cultural heritage and their aspirations for the future.

The event was marked with food-themed cultural revival festival and a multi-sectoral development fo- rum. During the first day, a ‘cook and taste’ session of traditional foods took centerstage wherein the participants contributed specialty items from their respective areas. Apart from the actual tasting, recipes, rituals and information related to the ingredients was shared by the participants. The participants also engaged in story-telling and singing related to the foods they served, while before and after the C&T session, other sur- vival skills such as archery and fire making, as well as cultural expres- sions were demonstrated.

On the second day, a multi-sector development forum took place involv- ing representatives of the government such as NCCA, NCIP, DENR, and the local and provincial governments of Aklan. The forum, with Aeta lead- ers in charge, is aimed at providing a platform for sharing their aspirations and concerns including those in rela- tion to ancestral domain situation and ecosystem rehabilitation, food secu- rity and ecosystem-based livelihood development, and education & health care issues.

The forum also served in discussing appropriate ‘bottom up’ terms for future collaboration with relevant stakeholders for a better appreciation for a unique ancient cultural heritage which is at the roots of the region’s rich and appealing fabric.

The event was hosted by Malay- based Aeta organization called Malay Highlanders Foundation (MAHIFO) in collaboration Non-Timber Forest Products–Task Force (NTFP–TF), Malay Municipal Government, and the National Commission on Indig- enous Peoples (NCIP).

NTFP-TF, according to Forest Foods Advisor Jenne de Beer, is a collaborative network of NGOs and Peoples Organizations working with local communities on develop- ing their NTFP-based livelihoods. It works on NTFP development in the context of sustainable forest manage- ment and community empowerment.