Beliefs and Practices in the Life Cycle of the Agta of Lupigue, North Sierra Madre Mountains: Their Implications to Indigenous Peoples Education

Abstract

The enactment of the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act of 1997 and the legislation of National Commission on Indigenous Peoples Administrative Order No. 1 series of 2012 recognize and promote all the rights of the Indigenous Peoples including the proper documentation of their Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Practices (IKSPs). The absence of formal documentation of their IKSPs is a major issue and is getting increasing attention in the research literature. The ethnographic research was employed to find out the beliefs and practices in the life of the Agta of Lupigue in Sierra Madre Mountains and their implications to education. The Agta still observed some of their beliefs and practices but could hardly explain their existence and persistence. Their observance is more of a sign of respect to their elders and ancestors. These cultural beliefs and practices pose a great challenge to education particularly in its role in social transformation.