The Tribu Ata-Atihan Ituman is an Indigenous community located in Sitio Manara, Barangay Celestino Villacin, Cadiz City, Negros Occidental, known for their rich cultural heritage and traditional practices such as uway (rattan) weaving, subsistence farming, and forest based livelihoods. Historically, it was believed that the Ata or Itoman people migrated from Panay Island and lived in isolated mountainous areas, which made access to education, healthcare, and basic services extremely limited. Starting in the 2010s, local government support and grassroots initiatives improved their living conditions, providing education, health services, and exposure to city events like the Dinagsa Festival. Significant milestones include the introduction of electricity in 2022, participation in cultural exchange programs, and the awarding of the Certificate of Ancestral Domain by the NCIP in October 2023, formally recognizing their 1,382.5-hectare ancestral land. The community continues to preserve its culture, spiritual practices, and indigenous knowledge while engaging in sustainable agriculture and environmental protection. Despite challenges in education, healthcare, and economic development, the Ata actively collaborate with government agencies and educational institutions to safeguard their heritage and improve the quality of life for future generations.
Domain:
Location/s:
Photo Credit/s:
Sunstar, 2023
Mappers:
Eliezer M. Palandangan
Tags:
ancestral domain NCIP, Ata-Itoman Cadiz City, community development Negros Occidental, cultural heritage Negros Occidental, cultural preservation Negros Occidental, Dinagsa Festival participation, education access Indigenous communities, electricity introduction Cadiz City, environmental protection Cadiz City, forest-based livelihoods, government support Indigenous communities, health services Indigenous communities, heritage safeguarding Cadiz City, Indigenous community Negros Occidental, Indigenous knowledge Philippines, Indigenous land recognition Philippines, Panay Island migration, subsistence farming Cadiz City, sustainable agriculture Negros Occidental, Tribu Ata-Atihan Ituman, uway weaving
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