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THE SIGNIFICANCE OF BONOK- BONOK FESTIVAL TO SURIGAONONS

Every country, cities, and barangay, have different ways of living, practices, laws and unique beliefs. As we can see, in every places like Cebu, Davao, and Bulacan, there is what we call Festivals, that is celebrated every year. These festivals have different histories and ways of celebration. Surigao del Norte is a province of the Philippines located in the Caraga region in Mindanao. Its capital is Surigao City. The province consists of two major islands Siargao Island and Bucas Grande Island in the Philippine Sea, and a small region at the northern most tip of the island of Mindanao. This mainland portion borders Agusan del Norte, and Surigao del Sur to the south.

Surigao City was known before as “Banahao”, according to the writings of Fray San Juan Francisco de San Antonio written on 1738. He portray Banahao as located at the northern head of Mindanao within there is a good port for ships called Bilan-bilan. Some local historians said that, there are many versions regarding the meaning of Surigao and how this was drived. Like “Sulo”, which means sulog or current, the name Surigao may have been originally coined from the Spanish word “Surgir” meaning swift current.

It is the center of marketplace and trade, education and politics in Surigao del Norte and to its closer provinces such as Surigao del Sur and Agusan del Norte. Located at the north easternmost tip of Mindanao Island, Surigao City is considered to be one of the most competitive small-sized Cities in the Philippines according to the Asian Institute of Management in the year 2012.

Surigao City, the provincial capital is dubbed as the “Gateway to Mindanao”. The ferry landing terminal in Lipata links Mindanao to Luzon through Eastern Visayas. It annually showcases in full regalia its distinct cultural heritage through the Bonok-Bonok Maradjaw Karadjaw” Festival. It is a provincial city that offers a respite from the busting metropolitan life.

This city is also known for having various ethnic cultures that is still being practiced until now. The Pasayan Festival (September 10-11). Pasayan is the local word for shrimp, which is ample in the area. The city celebrates this festival through cook-off. This culinary cook fest uses large quantities of shrimp prepared in a variety of recipes. Other highlights of this festival include shrimp eating contest,senior citizen backward marathon, palm wine (tuba) drinking contest and threading-the-needle contest. Kinilaw Festival (October 2) this festival showcases different styles in preparing kinilaw, a dish consisting of raw fish marinated in citrus, vinegar or coconut milk mixed with spices and served as an appetizer, similar to the South American ceviche. It also features other marine products abundant in the city and the Bonok-Bonok Marajaw KaradjawFestival (September 9) this is a day-long festival marked by street dancing and festivities featuring the ethnic Mamanwa tribal dance, Bonok-bonok commemorating thanksgiving after a plenty harvest, worship of gods and tribal wedding. One of their famous ethnic cultures that are still being practiced is the “Bonok-bonok Marajaw Karajaw Festival”.

Accordingto history the festival was formed after a devastating typhoon hit Surigao theTyphoon Nitang in September 2, 1984 that destroyed 70% of Surigao City. This isto remind every Surigaonons and the other people of the world that even after aruinous typhoon, the tragic loss of lives and properties, still, Surigaononsare to move forward and continue to celebrate life.

                The dance ritual has been passed on from generation to generation and is still being practiced today of what is known as the Bonok-Bonok Marajaw Karajaw Festival. It is also celebrated in reverence to the Patron Saint San Nicolas de Tolentino and to reflect the city’s rich cultural heritage.

Surigao del Norte (Surigaonon: Probinsya nan Surigao del Norte;  Cebuano:  AmihanangSurigao;  Spanish:  Provincia de Surigao del Norte) is a province in the Philippines located in the Caraga region of Mindanao. Its capital is Surigao City.  The province comprises two major islands Siargao and Bucas Grande in the Philippine Sea, and a small region at the northeastern tip of Mindanao. This mainland portion borders Agusan del Norte, and Surigao del Sur to the south.

              Surigao del Norte is the second northern most of the Mindanao provinces and is an important transportation hub between Visayas and Mindanao. Numerous ferries cross the Surigao Strait between Surigao and the island of Leyte carrying vehicles and passengers between Liloan in Southern Leyte and Surigao City.

           Surigao is home to one of the country’s oldest and most colorful tribes, the Mamanwa. They are similar to the Negritoes of Luzon in features and stature.They are generally short, dark-skinned with a crop of short kinky hair. Forced to settle in the hinterlands due to development, they continued to practice their customs and traditions. The faith about Kahimunan, one of their many tribal festivities, highlights music and graceful dancing. Revelers chant and play while accompanied by native musical instruments including the gimbar (drum), gong and bamboo percussion called kalatong and katik. Wild pigs, chicken and indigenous fruits including the rare kayape are among the offerings. A baylan (priest) presides the celebration as atribute and invocation to their god Magbabaya and departed ancestors for good health and abundant harvest.

                  Mamanwas are also known for their creative patterns, brass jewelleries and indigenous crafts, displayed proudly on their costumes as they fill the streets at the height of the Bonok-Bonok Maradjaw Karadjaw Festival every September 9, celebrated on the occasion of the feast of Saint Nicolas de Tolentino, Surigao City’s patron saint. Bonok-bonok and its prehistoric origins was another ritual to thank their gods, presided by various village chieftains and their wives. Happiness and friendship are expressed through dancing,chanting and singing. They wave scarves of banayas symbols of goodwill, wealth and blessings for all tribal villages.

Bonok-Bonok Festival

                   Bonok-Bonok Maradjaw Karajaw Festival is a multicolored festival showcasing the Surigaonon’s Ethnic Culture through street dancing. The indigenous of Surigao the Mamanwa indigenous people are the source of Bonok-bonok Festival. The Festival is held every year in honor to their Patron Saint Señor San Nicolas de Tolentino. All the cheerfulness and joy-making is an expression of thanksgiving and bountiful harvest, peace and god health, at the same time, invoking the Almighty, through the intercession of Señor San Nicolas de Tolentino, for another year of very good harvest.

                  “Bonok-bonok” literally means “rain” while “maradjaw karadjaw”means very good all taken into context, the festival’s name means “Rain Showers, All the Very Best”with rain as a symbol of benediction, good tidings, good harvest, and happiness among Surigaonons. It is usually highlighted with high-spirited dancing and chanting in unison of “Viva Señor San Nicolas! Viva Maradjaw Karajaw.

               The main feature is the Bonok-Bonok, an ethnic Mamanua Dance performed by the indigenous during “Kahimonan” (Fiesta) and wedding ceremonies. An overture to the celebration of the Maradjaw-Karadjaw Festival is the Bulawanong Barangay. Before the Bonok-Bonok festivity is held, preliminary contest between the 22 barangays of Surigao City is ongoing to highlight the month long festivity that livens up to the household of respective family of Surigao City.Other activities are street dancing participated by different private and government contestants using creative costumes, huge floats and hilarious chanting “Viva Señor San Nicolas! Viva Maradjaw-Karadjaw.

               In addition, this deeply traditional event is a way of asking the gods for excellent health and abundant harvests. The day-long festivities take place in the area around the Provincial Sports Complex which is a great place to see the many different dancers perform. Wild pigs, chicken and different fruits are being offered to the ancestors during the ancestral festivity or commonly known as “kahimunan”. Thus,“BONOK-BONOK” is a kind of thanksgiving dance presented by the different village chieftains and babaeyons. In order to express their Happiness and friendship they dance, shout and sing. Also, waving of scarves of “BANAY” is a signs of goodwill, wealth and blessings for the whole tribal village.

IMPORTANCE OF BONOK- BONOK FESTIVAL:

                 For Surigaonon, Bonok- Bonok Festival is the reason why many tourists are visiting their place. This kind of ritual dance that is originated from the early settlers called the Mamanwas. Slow beat and slowly gets faster is the rhythm of it, causing the dancers to work at pace with the music. The colorful costumes are added to the attraction of the dance, which includes beaded headdresses or tubaw, bracelets and anklets of the women. The ceremonial dress of the men and women are likewise elaborate in design, and of various colors. It is still being practiced today since this ritual dance has been brought down through the generations.

                 This celebration plays an important role for them as Surigaonons because it is their way of offering respect to the Patron Saint San Nicolas de Tolentino. It is already adopted by the people there as a reflection of Surigao’s rich cultural heritage. It is considered to be an award-wining cultural-religious festival among all the festivals of Surigao del norte.

                According to Surigaonons, celebrating Festivals helps them express the way they live and it also strengthens their faith and love to their hometown. Festivals help them enjoy the life that they are living until now. They also consider its festival themes as an instructional type because visitors are bound to learn from it.And brings pride to their province.

This festival is described as crowded, fast beat dances and is known for using beautiful big floats and designs and exhibits. What makes this celebration different from other festivals around the country is the showcasing of the importance of the old customs of the tribes that originates the people of Surigao. The intricate culture that evolves and passed through generation to generation is greatly celebrated even today with a little touch of modernization. The indigenous settler’s takes a big part in the festivities that highlights their culture to the modern society of today.

               Today, most of the Mamanwas still live in the hinterlands, occasionally descending to town to sell or barter handicrafts and fresh harvest. Bands still subsist on for aging even as majority of them have adopted a more modern way of life over the years.

VIEWS OF SURIGAONON ABOUT THEIR ETHNIC CULTURE

                 Every ethnic group or tribe has its own distinct culture though some cultures may be shared by different ethnic groups. In the Philippines there are many ethnic groups and each has its own customs since each ethnic has a distinct origin.Due to this diversity, some customs may be out dated or have a negative impact on the nation. However, the customs are still important in our today’s life, hence it’s important to embrace our culture. 

In this part of the research study,ethnic cultures were given big roles in every place around the world. There are different types of festivals, namely, religious, national or seasonal. Amass, novenas, grand parade, beauty contest, processions and other activities are prepared for this special day that brings the whole community together to give thanks to God.

                 For many Surigaonon, fiestas are important because of the miraculous power of the Saints. It is believed that the Saints are responsible for all the good fortune and favor that one receives. More than that, it is also during this time that the locals of Surigao get to celebrate their culture and traditions that are passed on to the next generation. Fiestas reflect Surigaonon’s religion and faith which are most essential part of the society.

                  For them, no matter what beliefs we hold and religious affiliations we have. The church and our faith have always been our pillars of strength and highly regarded by the people for support or guidance. Festivals are reminders of our past; it gives us a glimpse of our rich cultural heritage and connects us to our families and loved ones.

                 In the culture of Surigaonons, there are evident influences. These influences set it apart from other places in the Philippines and manifest themselves robust life that embodies the vibrant history of the province.

                Living in this world is a gift from God. We may sometimes encounter different practices in many places, but what is more important is that we respect each one’s beliefs. Following those different norms and traits does not measure what kind of person you are, whether you are good or bad.

                In this research, the researchers learned that unique practices such as festivals,rituals, and different ways of living of individual must be accepted and share around the world. For as human beings who belong to different states of life and group of people, there is no greater thing that we can offer to our country but to be proud of what we are and to express our culture to other people and to the other country.

                In this study, the researchers also understand the real definition of the Bonok-Bonok Festival that Surigaonon celebrates. It is described as a ritual dancethat is started by the Mamanwa tribes in Surigao Del Norte as a way of thanksgiving through dances accompanied by the beat of the drums. And is still practice to honor their city’s Patron Saint Nicolas de Tolentino. This day-long festival shows how the tribes of Mamanwa in Surigao Del Norte use their unique abilities to express their gratitude towards their honored God. These activity also are still being practiced until now for it is being taught to young ones and to the elders as well.

              As the research study goes deeper, the researchers slowly appreciates the creativity, passion, and love that the Surigaonon shows as they perform and enjoy the said festival. Some of us might say that it’s just a way of dancing,but for them, it is the best way of celebrating an abundant life that is blessed by their Patron Saint.

There searchers also conclude that festivals has a big role in every places or country. It is not just about having fun, dancing, playing, shouting, and laughing. It is about thanking the Supernatural being for the abundant blessings that we have received and enjoyed throughout the year. In this study,we have understand that there are lots of benefits that we can get in celebrating festivals. It gives us joy, it strengthens our relationship with other ethnic groups and it also brings community together.

                According to Grames and Vitcenda,”the economic benefits of festivals are easiest to see and most often attract visitors, which stimulates the growth of tourism and other businesses in a town or region”. So in this case, we have learned that the practices in every places or tribal group help their country to attract people in other places to visit their country. This proves that festivals are not just made for a certain group of people. It is made to give honor to the greater one and to spread one’s belief to the whole world through different types of exercises.

                In this case, we, as the Authors of this research study, we encourage every individual to be proud of what kind of culture your ancestors passed on to you.For we do not have the right to be ashamed of how we live and what do we practice because it is the only treasure that our forefather gave to us. No matter what other say, and no matter how other people judge us because of our difference to them, as an individual, we must not reject our own culture for us to be accepted by the other group.

                Nowadays, sometimes we set aside our own culture and adopt the other culture because we are afraid to be rejected or to be neglected by our friends and special loved ones. There are also times that we pretend to become a different person whenever we are not in our own community. But did you know why there are some people who are like that? It is because they were not still able to understand the origin and the significance of their own culture. They still do not know how to appreciate their own belief that is why they choose to adopt other culture that is far different from theirs.

               The Authors of this research study, encourages the readers to study about the different types of culture in the Philippines and in  the other world. It will help you to accept different types of practices and it will widen your mind about the world. And aside from learning their different values, it will also change you into a new person.

               Studying the classes of cultures around the world will inspire you to appreciate small and big things in life. It will change your concept of thinking of how a person live like that and of why does a person actin that way. You might have many questions about the world, so try to answer them through searching them in your own.

            “There are many things to explore, and people to meet.So do not limit yourself with the things around you because you are still a teen.”