MORNING PLENARY SESSION – OPEN FORUM
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Airah Cadiogan
12th Igorot Cordillera BIMAAK-Europe (ICBE) Conference
ULB Campus du Solbosch, Bâtiment S, Salle Dupréel, Avenue Jeanne 44,
1050 Bruxelles, Belgium
29 May – 1 June 2025
MORNING PLENARY SESSION – OPEN FORUM
SUMMARY OF DISCUSSIONS
1. Managing tensions and anxieties between living in two or more worlds
The common theme of surfacing and managing anxieties between contradicting feelings or worlds (e.g., rootedness and uprootedness; being an indigenous person in the diaspora) resonated with participants.
Dr. Macky Lacbawan described this tension as the “indigenous double bind,” while Ms. Abigail Banisa Mier mentioned being a “half-baked” Igorot. Such experiences reflected the feelings of Igorots from families with one parent being non-indigenous, first-generation Igorots in the diaspora, as well as those of Igorots who were raised or born in the diaspora.
These groups of people shared their experiences of having to ‘step in and out’ of their indigenous identity depending on the context (e.g., at home, at work, in schools and social settings), and fearing that their identity can be “erased” as they strive to blend in or ‘belong to’ their host community or new hometown or home country.
Some participants noted that the pressure to conform can be intense, but emphasis was given on striving to maintain the “positive values” (e.g., respect for elders, caring for community members, fighting for land and pride in culture) of Igorotness, and not only the visible rituals and traditions, such as dances and songs.
2. Intergenerational knowledge and cultural transfer
Participants collectively agreed that each Igorot in the diaspora has a shared responsibility to ensure that our culture, heritage, and values are transmitted to the next generation.
This includes material culture, such as the cowboy hats mentioned by Ms. Angelie Marilla in her presentation, which hold significant historical meaning for Igorots in provinces like Benguet, as well as traditional costumes, gong playing, prayers, and dances.
Participants expressed appreciation for the work of the three scholars, citing that it is not easy to find fellow Filipino academics who are willing to invest their time and effort in helping indigenous causes or studying historical injustices to claim accountability. Examples were given of the display of Igorots during the infamous World Expos in places like Ghent, Madrid, and St. Louis, as well as tracking stolen artifacts in European museums. For this reason, participants discussed the value of international solidarity or linking up with other pro-indigenous peoples European organizations to express concern over our shared problems, like the impact of mass ‘development projects’ that displace communities, or discrimination.
3. Indigeneity as a source of pride
Some participants inquired about how to address shame in their cultural heritage, which can be experienced across all generations of Igorots in the diaspora. This shame can be traced back to one’s childhood experiences with bullying or another kind of trauma that causes one to ‘hide’ their indigenous identity. Dr. Macky emphasized that this cycle of shame must be broken and that indigeneity should be framed as a source of pride without veering into ethnonationalism. In this sense, ICBE is a space to express this pride safely and inclusively. He highlighted the proposed resolution from BIBAAK Spain to seek accountability for colonial culpability, which can create a space or opportunity, especially for second- and third-generation Igorots to commemorate the past and celebrate their heritage – i.e., to pass on the shame to the colonizers and reclaim our pride in our history.
Ms. Mier added that this shared history of Igorots – the good and the bad – should be viewed as a source of strength in dealing with uncomfortable subjects, as this discomfort is often a sign that the discourse is gaining traction or resonating more broadly.
Ms. Marilla mentioned that it is up to us to define our identity, including our indigenous identity, and this can be constantly shifting. We should, therefore, question strict categories of identity, and give value to how we and how others relate to our identity over time.
Notes and report prepared by Airah Cadiogan, 30 June 2025