Home⇛Journal of Interdisciplinary Perspectives⇛vol. 3 no. 8 (2025)

Roots and Routes: The Role of Women in the Intergenerational Transmission of Intangible Culture

Rotchel L. Amigo

Discipline: social sciences (non-specific)

 

Abstract:

This research delved into the dynamics of cultural preservation and acculturation among Ivatan women migrants in Bukidnon, Philippines. Focusing on the role of women as custodians of intangible heritage, the study examined how Ivatan women navigated the challenges of maintaining traditional practices amidst socio-cultural transformations. The research employed a qualitative approach, utilizing semi-structured interviews with 50 first-generation Ivatan women aged 18 and above, who were purposively sampled for their knowledge and experience in Ivatan culture. Through thematic analysis of interview transcripts, key themes emerged on the transmission of cultural understanding, the impact of migration on cultural identity, and the evolving role of women in Ivatan society. Findings indicated a complex interplay between tradition and acculturation. While Ivatan women remain resilient in upholding cultural practices like language transmission and farming traditions, younger generations exhibit signs of cultural adaptation influenced by modernization and external influences. The study highlighted the significance of intergenerational knowledge transfer in preserving Ivatan intangible heritage amidst shifting socio-economic landscapes. Moreover, the research highlights the pivotal role of women in cultural preservation, emphasizing their contributions to maintaining community cohesion and identity. By shedding light on the experiences and perspectives of Ivatan women, this study contributes to the broader discourse on cultural resilience and adaptation in the face of globalization. It advocated for proactive measures to support cultural sustainability, recognizing the agency of women as cultural custodians and agents of continuity within the Ivatan community.



References:

  1. Adger, W. N. (2000). Social and ecological resilience: Are they related? Progress in Human Geography, 24(3), 347–364. https://doi.org/10.1191/030913200100189509 
  2. Ardichvili, A., & Kuchinke, K. P. (2009). International perspectives on gender and professional development. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 75(1), 1–4. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2009.03.003 
  3. Asis, M., & Perez, A. (1993). Understanding Filipino migration. Philippine Social Sciences Review, 51(1-4), 1–4. College of Social Sciences and Philosophy, University of the Philippines.
  4. Baretto, R. (2012). Malaybalay: A city in the forest. Bukidnon State University Printing Press.
  5. Bennoune, M. (2014). Cultural heritage and human rights: A theoretical framework. Human Rights Law Review, 14(4), 605–632. https://doi.org/10.1093/hrlr/ngu027
  6. Berry, J. W. (2005). Acculturation: Living successfully in two cultures. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 29(6), 697–711. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijintrel.2005.07.013 
  7. Buendia, R. (n.d.). Mapping and analysis of indigenous governance practices in the Philippines and proposal for establishing an indicative framework for indigenous people’s governance: Towards a broader and inclusive process of governance in the Philippines. https://tinyurl.com/mr2puc8x 
  8. Corntassel, J. (2012). Re-envisioning resurgence: Indigenous pathways to decolonization and sustainable self-determination. Decolonization: Indigeneity, Education & Society, 1(1), 86–101. https://jps.library.utoronto.ca/index.php/des/article/view/18664 
  9. Dayo, M. (2011). Does nature determine the gendered spaces in indigenous society? An examination of the Ivatan farming system and food sovereignty. Kasarinlan: Philippine Journal of Third World Studies, 26(1-2), 274–284. http://www.journals.upd.edu.ph/index.php/kasarinlan/article 
  10. De Haas, H. (2010). Migration and development: A theoretical perspective. International Migration Review, 44(S1), S5–S48. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1747-7379.2010.00834.x 
  11. Flieger, W. (1977). Internal migration in the Philippines during the 1960s. Philippine Quarterly of Culture and Society, 5(4), 199–231.
  12. Harrison, R. (2013). Heritage and the production of culture: A re-examination of the UNESCO 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. International Journal of Heritage Studies, 19(6), 579–594. https://doi.org/10.1080/13527258.2012.727582 
  13. Horakova, E. (1971). Problems of Filipino settlers (Occasional Paper No. 4). Institute of South East Asian Studies.
  14. Hornedo, F. (1993). Batanes Day ’93 souvenir brochure. Lalawigan ng Batanes.
  15. Kirylo, J. D., & Briones, D. B. (2018). Cultural transmission: Perspectives from a global society. Interchange, 49(3), 329–335. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10780-018-9343-z 
  16. Kottak, C. (2006). Anthropology: The exploration of human diversity. McGraw-Hill.
  17. Kuroda, H. (2016). Safeguarding intangible cultural heritage in Southeast Asia: A case study of Batik in Indonesia. International Journal of Intangible Heritage, 11, 77–88. https://doi.org/10.22409/ijih.2016.11.77 
  18. Lenzer, N. (2019). Safeguarding the intangible cultural heritage of indigenous communities: A critical review of the UNESCO 2003 Convention. International Journal of Heritage Studies, 25(9), 920–934. https://doi.org/10.1080/13527258.2018.1504959 
  19. Lim, A. (n.d.). Cultural heritage in Philippine society. http://aboutphilippines.ph/filer/toledo-cebu/Cultural-Heritage-in-Philippine-Society.pdf 
  20. Lokpez, E. (2010). Reaching Hispanics. MarketingProfs.
  21. Portes, A., & Zhou, M. (1993). The new second generation: Segmented assimilation and its variants. The Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, 530(1), 74–96. https://doi.org/10.1177/0002716293530001006 
  22. Sam, D. L., & Berry, J. W. (2010). Acculturation: When individuals and groups of different cultural backgrounds meet. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 5(4), 472–481. https://doi.org/10.1177/1745691610373075 
  23. Santiago, D. (1979). People's participation in a land settlement community [Unpublished doctoral dissertation]. University of the Philippines, Los Baños.
  24. Smith, L. T. (1999). Decolonizing methodologies: Research and indigenous peoples. Zed Books.
  25. Wang, J. (2016). Women and cultural heritage: A global perspective. International Journal of Intangible Heritage, 11, 15–26. https://doi.org/10.22409/ijih.2016.11.15
  26. Yeoh, B. S. A., & Chang, T. C. (2001). Globalizing/localizing modernity: Urbanization and the politics of culture in Singapore. Cities, 18(5), 317–328. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0264-2751(01)00021-3 

Tools


Copyright © 2025  KITE Digital Educational Solutions |  Exclusively distributed by CE-Logic