Typical models of Bahay Kubo (Nipa Hut);
visiting
coeds pose at IRRI Rice Museum, UPLB, Laguna
Abe V Rotor
Bannawag Magazine
Columnist: Okeyka, Apong! - Dagiti Tawid a Sirib ken Adal
NOTE: Ilokano is a unique language of Ilocanos living in Northern Philippines, and Ilocanos who are now living abroad. Perhaps there is no other dialect that has far reaching range of influence. Firstly, because of the regionalistic fervor and close kinship among Ilocanos. Secondly, Ilokano is both a base and a vehicle of endearing culture and values, quaintness of customs and tradition, and unique and distinct traits. And thirdly, Ilokano is a rich language and flexible at the same time, imbibing new developments of a fast changing postmodern world.
It is the third reason that poses a great threat to the language as it is also the case to other languages all over the world - the hybridization of languages. Breakthroughs in communication and transportation leading to transience and migration and exposure to other tongues, exodus from village to city, industrialization and urbanization - all these put the biggest trial ever to the languages of the world.
This series of articles may serve in a small way in preserving Ilokano as a language and as a treasure of a rich indigenous culture. For non-Ilocanos I have included the equivalent English translation of each article. For previous articles please refer to List of Titles.
TI “Bahay Kubo” ti maysa kadagiti maipatpateg wenno kalalatakan a kannawidan a kanta iti Filipinas. Idi addakami iti elementaria, talaga nga impapuso a sinursuro amin a kapatadanmi— siempre, mairamankami dita. Ken agingga ita, manmano ti ubbing a dina kabesado daytoy a kanta.
Nasayaat a dakamaten ditoy a kayat nga ipaawat ti kanta a ti bahay kubo wenno kalapaw kadatayo nga Ilokano ket simbolo ti kabaelan a panagbiag a bukbukod, natural a kinalasbang, ken kannawidan dagiti Filipino.
Dagitoy dagiti kangrunaan a makita iti kanta:
• Adda sangapulo ket walo a nateng, nga agpapada a lokal wenno idi pay a maimulmula iti pagiliantayo.
• Kaaduan kadagiti nateng ti makaagas ken epektibo a panarasan nga agas (laya, lasona, bawang).
• Naibagian dagiti uppat a klase ti nateng: bulong (mustasa), bunga (kamatis, tarong, karabasa), bagas (rabanos, singkamas), bukbukel (lengnga, patani, mani).
• Karaman iti listaan dagiti rekado: lengnga, laya, bawang.
• Agduduma ti eskediul ti panagmula ken panagapit kadagiti nateng, ngarud, adda suplay iti las-ud ti makatawen. Agtultuloy ngarud ti aktibidad iti panagmula ken panagapit ti pamilia ken agtultuloy nga adda pangnamnamaanda iti masida, wenno maibinglay wenno mailako.
• Agduduma met ti tipo wenno kita ti panagdakkel dagiti nateng. Kayatna a sawen, addaanda iti kabukbukodan a puesto. Adda agkalatkat, adda erbal, ken adda dagitay agkasamekan a kas iti ruot.
• Iti biang ti nutrision, mangipaay dagitoy kadagiti kangrunaan a kasapulan para iti panagdakkel ken nasayaat a salun-at.
• Iladladawanna ti aglawlaw a nalangto, natalinaay, nadalus, nalinong ken nasalemsem. Environment-friendly, kunada iti Ingles.
• Ipasimudaag daytoy ti kabaelan a panangtulong iti bukod a panagbiag, ken mangidiaya iti posible a pagbiagan/pagganaran.
• Ipamatmatna a ti kinasimple wenno kinagagangay ti tulbek iti makapnek a biag (bassit ti mausar nga enerhia ken ramramit).
• Iti iladladawanna nga eksena, sumayaksak ti imahinasion ket mapanunotmo ti arubayan nga addaan iti piskeria, pagtaraknan iti manok, agbunga a kaykayo, ken masetas, ken dadduma pay— amin dagitoy, makatulongda iti panangpadur-asmo iti bahay kubo wenno kalapaw a di met madadael ti kangrunaan a balabala ken estrukturana.
Ipaspasimudaag daytoy kanta a nalataken uray idi ubbingkami ti kinaimbag ti agbiag a simple ken natural, mangan kas mayataday iti kasapulan ti bagi, agtalinaed a naubing, nasalun-at ken aktibo, agurnong ken agbirok iti kuarta, saan unay nga agdependar iti enerhia wenno koriente ken kadagiti maang-angkat a taraon. Kangrunaan, masursuro koma manen ti panangtagiragsak la unay iti kaadda a kanayon iti pagtaengan a kadua ti pamilia. Atibayennatayo ti “Bahay Kubo” nga umasideg iti nakaparsuaan, tapno maapresiartayo ti kannawidantayo, ken kibinennatayo iti naun-uneg nga awag ti kappia, kinatalinaay, ken kinaragsak.
* * *
Bahay Kubo is an enduring symbol of food self-sufficiency, indigenous biodiversity, simplicity and quaintness of living and natural beauty.
Bahay Kubo (My Nipa Hut) is one of the most loved traditional songs. All kids in my generation learned it by heart in the elementary. Not so many kids today are familiar with it. It is good to rediscover the beauty and lesson of the song.
Bahay kubo, hahit munti, ang halaman doon ay sari-sari. Singkamas at talong, sigidillas at mani, sitao, batao, patani. Kondol, patola, upo, kalabasa, at sa ka mayroon pa, labanos, mustasa. Sibuyas, kamatis, bawang at luya, at ang paligidligid ay linga.
These are main features of the song.
There are eighteen (18) plants, which are indigenous, mostly native varieties. (biodiversity)
Many of the plants have medicinal values and are effective home remedies for common ailments (luya, sibuyas, bawang).
The four kinds of vegetables are represented: leafy (mustasa), fruit (kamatis, talong, kalabasa), root (labanos, singkamas), seed (linga, patani, mani).
• Spices and condiments are included in the list (linga, luya, bawang)
• The plants have different planting and harvesting schedules, thus enhancing whole year round supply of vegetables, and the use of resources and family labor.
• The plants have different growing types or habits which means they occupy specific places and have space allocations. (viny, herb, bush).
• Nutrition-wise they provide the basic requirements for growing up and good health.
• The ambiance projected by the scene is green, tranquil, clean, shady and cool (environment-friendly).
• The garden exudes a feeling of self-sufficiency and offers a potential for livelihood.
• Simplicity is the key to a contented life (with least energy consumption, and amenities).
• Such a scene expands the imagination to include a backyard fishpond, chicken coop, orchard trees and ornamental plants, among others – all of these contribute to the enrichment of the Bahay Kubo, without modifying its basic concept and structure.
Folk wisdom tells us how good it is to live simply and naturally, eat properly, stay young, healthy and active, save and earn money, depend less on energy and imported goods, and enjoy being at home with the family. Bahay Kubo takes us closer to nature, to appreciate our culture, and leads us to the inner calling for peace, quiet and joy.~
Living with Folk Wisdom, AVR-UST
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