05/12/2022

ABAKNON

BACKGROUND AND
HISTORY
The Abaknon group lives in Capul Island, Northern Samar,
located between the Bicol peninsula and Samar islands.
The location of Capul makes it susceptible to typhoons,
giving way for the local community to adapt and develop
their own system of predictions, many of which are
connected to the sea (kalawot). They believe that
a lumod (dolphin) seen pushing its body into the water
indicates an incoming typhoon. A
half pamalangaw (rainbow) or a muddy sea water
likewise indicate a bad weather.
Many sea travelers and traders would stop by the Island
and wait for the currents to flow outward Pacific Ocean
before beginning their voyage to Acapulco.
Historically speaking, the Spaniards built a fortress in
Capul to prevent it from Moro and pirate attacks.

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Along with the wind system, directions of

the sea current, and position of the stars
(bituon), the moon (bulan) plays an
important role in dictating fishing activity.
To the Abaknon paradaying (fisherfolk),
there are 4 phases of the moon –
kawara orgimata (new moon), kaudto si
kawara (first quarter moon), kadayaw (full
moon), and kaudto si kadayaw (last quarter
moon). Luyô refers to the days in between
these phases, and there are 7 luyô from one
phase to another. The moon cycle directly
affects the tides and the current of the sea
(landus).

CULTURE
• Sama roots could well be why Capul has such a rich variety of
tambalan: snakebite healers, mediums for nature spirits, exorcist,
paragloun healing trauma and mental illness, and mamaratbat
leading “elaborate rituals” to usher departed souls “to ever-finer
levels of existence for nine years until they reach heaven.”
• Another part of their culture is proverbs. Proverbs had been in use by
the Filipinos long before the Spaniards came into the Philippines.
Example: I makusoglakang-na, malalom I ontug-na. (The
heavier the step, the greater the fall)

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CULTURE

To preserve Inabaknon, the distinct language that is spoken only in Capul, the
municipality has an Inabaknon language/heritage center where copies of the Bible,
prayers and other books are in their native tongue.

RELIGIOUS PRACTICE

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RELIGIOUS PRACTICE
The primary religion practice
of Abaknon is Roman
Catholicism, the largest
branch of the Christian church
and one of the oldest religious
institutions in the world.
Roman Catholicism teaches
that it is the one true churches
founded by Jesus Christ and
that its bishops are the
succesors of Christ.

LANGUAGE
The Inabaknon language, also known as the Abaknon language or the Capul
language (according to the Summer Institute of Linguistics' Ethnologue,
alternative names for this language include: Abaknon, Abaknon Sama, Capul,
Capuleño, Kapul, Sama) is a language primarily spoken in the island-municipality
of Capul, Northern Samar in the Eastern Visayas region of the Visayas area in the
country of the Philippines.
Inabaknon can be written with the Latin alphabet, although there is no standard
way to write it.

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LIVELIHOOD:

LIVELIHOOD:

Oson residents engage in both fishing and farming, depending on the season. Oson
residents are into coconut farming, which has been the preferred crop as it does not
require close supervision like rice or corn. The FGD participants have described their
coconut farming as “year-round”, where “aglugit” or copra harvesting usually takes
place every three months. However, occasionally, copra harvesting is done in “palitada”
or trimester. They also suspend their copra harvesting in preparation for their barangay
or Capul town fiesta, in the hopes that they will earn more due to higher copra yield.
However, some participants lamented that during these times copra price drops due to
oversupply.

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Basing calendar of farming activities on the information received from the biophysical environment

Their calendar of farming activities is based more on the information

received from the biophysical environment. As to coconut farming, when
harvesting falls on a rainy period, drying of the copra is in the agunan, a
chamber-like structure where smoking of copra is being done. During
sunny weather, copra is dried up in the coast or in any sun-exposed
field.

The position of the slopes is made beneficial in deciding

where and what crop to plant considering the occurrence of
monsoon winds and typhoons. The sun-loving plants are
planted on areas where they receive enough sunlight, they
choose crops on steep slopes that help cover and protect the
soil from erosion. On a specific period particularly few
months before the occurrence of monsoon rains and wind,
some crops are planted on one side of the slope opposite the
direction of the expected rains and wind for protection of the
crops. The Abaknon farmers are also well aware of the
dangers that typhoons may bring especially during the “ber”
months. Root crops are planted in such a way that during
these months, crops like cassava are now ready for harvest
that even typhoons will affect them; still they can be
harvested and used for food and sold or bartered to fish or
any other necessary commodity. Furthermore, quick
maturing crops as camote are often grown after typhoon
devastation for food security after three months. The
common practice of cultivating root and vegetable crops in
slopes facing the east practically recognizes the significance
of sunlight in the photosynthetic activity of plants. The
depth of knowledge of the local people about their natural
environment and the occurring natural phenomena made
them adapt and absorb these changes, thus reducing their
vulnerability.

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MAIN PRODUCT

The main product of Abaknon are: shellfish/fish, copra, and cassava

and other root crops.

FOODS

SAUTED MUSSELS NILANGGAM

-A native rice cake

SINARUNGSONG

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TOURIST SPOT

TOURIST SPOT

The old lighthouse and WWII

The Faro de Isla Capul with its 40m tower was constructed in 1891 and finished during the American
period. It is located at the highest part of the island, at 143m above sea level. Guillermo Brockman
designed the pavilion in the Victorian Renaissance Revival style. The view is sweeping. It Is an
unhindered panorama of the San Bernardino Strait. On a clear day, one can see Sorsogon and Mt
Bulusan and even a faint trace of Mt. Mayon. It is also an important naval landmark. During World
War II, Capul Island was strategic with Japanese gun emplacements located below the lighthouse
still seen today. As of writing, these two heritage structures are undergoing restoration works by
the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP).

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TOURIST SPOT

Fuerza de Capul
Walking around the narrow roads of the poblacion always leads you to the
historic Fuerza de Capul. It is a fortress complex that incorporates the San
Ignacio Church built in 1781 by Fray Mariano Valero. It was the island that is only
defense from Moro slave raiders that ravaged these parts since the 17 th century.

FESTIVAL

Abaknon Festival was introduced as part of celebrations for the feast of the
patron saint, St. Ignatius Loyola. Abaknon is the name that collectively embraces
all the residents of the island of Capul, who share a unique dialect and a simple
lifestyle.
Those who have participated in the frenetic, frenzied dancing in many of the
festivals in the Philippines will be taken-aback by the slow, graceful steps of the
Abaknon dancers. This is because the festival puts to fore the “Dos Amigos” a
folkdance that has been recognized to be historically attached to highlanders.

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Sources:
• https://www.nationalmuseum.gov.ph/2021/10/29/abaknon-and-
their-view-of-the-world/
• https://www.researchgate.net/publication/344298147_The_Abaknon'
s_Ingenuity_Creative_Strategies_Amidst_Uncertainties
• https://langyaw.com/2018/09/24/capul-island-discovering-culture-
history/
• http://www.journal-
aquaticscience.com/article_138365_8545ab0664ae2e5287383511a93
49cc5.pdf

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