“Earth without art is just Eh!”
– Demetri Martin
The urge of mankind to express
creative skills into an aesthetically pleasing output is as old as time itself, an assertion substantiated by archeological finds of abstract carvings from cave walls dateable to Paleolithic Period. Although one may argue that the evolution of art can be credited to the progenitors of continental Europe, the Moro people and Mindanao at large must not be shirked unfavorably in the historical progression of fine arts. It is notable to mention that the oldest representational painting in the world is the 45,500 year-old, give or take, Sulawesi Pigs of Indonesia – a recent discovery[1] of human hand painting of pigs in ochre. A rather similar pigments used by the blacksmith of Tugaya as depicted in the photo while working on a galang. Perhaps it is the external influence of the neighboring states such as Indonesia and Malaysia that led our artisans to refine their rugged proficiency in forging metals, ceramic jars, and artistic engraving of earth’s precious stones. Kudos to the early Muslim missionaries from these countries who conveyed not just the Islamic faith to Mindanao but in one way or another inspired the local inhabitants through a shared history, culture, and the arts as well.
In most part of the Bangsamoro region, the living tradition of making ceramics to produce a culturally-driven pots, jars, and their likes goes beyond the temporal pecuniary benefit of bread and butter which ease the fangs of hunger. To a spot-on craftsman, the making of each jar or pot is a magnum opus in the process and a relevant extension of his being. Sometimes compensation is not monetary, there are people who toil simply for the love of labor and that suffice them.
My tilted judgement is to believe that blacksmithing and pottery was a thriving livelihood, suitably productive thus becoming a full-time employment in the olden days of Muslim Mindanao. However, it can be observed that there has been an immense hiatus in the venture of these trades attributed, among others, to the loss of interest displayed by the younger generation to pursue a career in blacksmithing and other identical occupations. This is not a dilemma germane to Tugaya alone. If one could only have the luxury of time to walk by the streets of each municipality in Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and discern the workshop of every blacksmith, we will be in agreement that our society is experiencing the
Japanese impasse where the ratio of senior citizens in relation to the younger
ones is massively outstanding, in this typical profession at least.
This is acredible phenomenon even absence of preponderance statistical data. To
illustrate this claim, a visual of brood man in his twenties busying his days
in a shop building metalwork or ornamental pots for living is rarity nowadays. As
such, it is with heavy heart that we witness this once flourished artistries gradually
dwindling into oblivion leaving the gifted workers fettered, starved, and drop
dead into the quicksand of poverty to suffer unconditionally. True enough, the
financial consideration in making these merchandises is a large chunk from the
pie that drives these craftsmen to endure the burden of preserving a seemingly
dying art, and I say that with all the respect I can muster for these master
builders. They could be well off or put their effort in another work, instead
they remained to hold on the loose thread of their craft ignoring its
insignificant economic reward. Nonetheless, how could the blacksmiths of Tugaya
maintain a sustainable industry while Lanao Del Sur topped the poorest provinces
in the Philippines[2]? Can they expect any financial assistance or vocational intervention from the local government unit? And what about the situation of peace and order in the region? Considering all these predicaments a blacksmith in Tugaya is facing, in addition to the demand of their products trending to plummet, until when can they stretch patience without losing it?
To be blunt about it, worst can only get better because you have nowhere to go when your deeply sunk except up and on the brighter side, the BARMM government recorded its all-time low 29.9% poverty incidence[3]. With the enormous amount that we are expecting from the block grant courtesy of the national government, let us remain steadfast that our Parliament will keep these blacksmiths and hardworking men and women in their prioritization policies. On the issue of peace and order, it is with utmost veneration for the BARMM government to say that we are successful in gradually eradicating the menace of terrorism from our land. This is evident in the island provinces of Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi. These island provinces used to be stereotyped as terrorism hub of Mindanao, yet they proved almost everyone wrong as they toppled the Moro stigma by incorporating tourism programs in their comprehensive development plans to embrace the catchy phrase “from terrorism to tourism.”
“Allahu Taala does not burden a soul beyond that it can bear[4]” ,
a passage from our Noble Book that keeps us hoping. All we need to do now is gradually shift our actions and focus in assisting these blacksmiths and craftsmen by continuously patronizing what they offer. Social media is a digital wonder, a
simple share of videos and stories from these struggling workforce is a major
marketing leap that can ease setbacks from commercial triumph. This is an
endeavor where our younger generation can play a pivotal role as most of them
are armed with the latest technological knack to institute social positive
change. Prove your worth! The men and women that is in dire need of your aid
have proven theirs. They could be your fathers or mothers. Surely, no one would
deny the silent cry for help of a loving parent. Do something that you can collectively be proud of leading to an inspiring legacy for the next to come. Even so, one can
only do so much. This ugly duckling tale can only turn into a majestic swan
should all of us add a fair share of support because raising back our builders
into a new pedestal height requires everyone to chime in. A pool of Bangsamoro constituency hand in hand pulling out our brethren in faith from this gloomy
situation is a milestone that cannot be ignored by He who has dominion over
everything, The Most Merciful, The Most High.
[1] A. Brumm et al., Oldest cave art found in Sulawesi. Sci. Adv. 7, eabd4648 (2021).
[2] https://www.theasianaffairs.com/poorest-cities-in-the-philippines/
“67.3% poverty
incidence, it continues to rank first among the provinces with the highest number of poor families.”
[3] PSA-BARMM during on 2021 full
year official poverty statistics. October 13, 2022
[4] Surah Al Baqara, verse 286.