A fundamental tenet in the iKalinga worldview is the deep respect and courtesy accorded to women, who are regarded as life-givers and peacemakers. This provides a mantle of protection to women who may be caught in a crossfire during tribal wars. It is considered a paniyaw or a taboo to hurt a woman at any time. In fact, it is believed that harming a woman will bring ruin and curse to the tribe of the wrongdoer.
It is, therefore, not a surprise that in most pagtas, a chapter is specifically devoted for provisions that make certain acts against women criminal. The commission of these acts renders the perpetrator liable for penalties based on the gravity of the offense.
Among the acts considered as criminal is pugod/gabao (rape). The person who commits this act may be held to answer by paying the victim twelve carabaos. One author noted that since this act is a taboo and the penalty is rather high, this crime is seldom committed in Kalinga villages even up to this day.
Another act that is considered a crime under a pagta is the sowao/daldag. This act pertains to an illicit affair that a married man incurs with the wife of another man. Usually, the guilty man is demanded be fined with one carabao, which is to be butchered during a settlement. The guilty man may also be required to pay a fine of three carabaos to be delivered to the husband of the woman. The guilty woman may also be held to answer for two carabaos to be delivered to the wife of the offending husband.
Acts of lasciviousness, permanent abandonment of a spouse, physical injuries, lukluk/lobak (desecrating a widow), and toddak di babae (abduction), are some of the other acts punishable by the pagta. It must be noted that a woman may also be held liable under the pagta if she commits some of the acts referred above.
However, more than protecting women by making the above acts committed against them criminal, most pagtas now accord to Kalinga women a status that was once inexistent, particularly in the practice of Bodong. Today, Kalinga women’s roles are recognized by the pagta as indispensable in the achievement of peace and development in the Kalinga society; hence, Kalinga women are encouraged to be peace pact holders and to actively participate in all Bodong undertakings. This does not only protect Kalinga women, but also empowers them to protect themselves and others, assert their rights, and use their innate capacities to contribute in making Kalinga a more peaceful and harmonious society for everyone.
31 October 2021