United Igorots in Europe

Igorot Cordillera BIMAAK Europe (ICBE)

About ICBE

 

 

Igorot Cordillera BIMAAK Europe (ICBE) was set up during the 2nd Igorot European Consultation (IEC) held in May 2003 in Vienna, Austria. The first conference was the “Assembly of Cordillera People in Europe” (ACPE) held in April 2002 in Gent, Belgium.

 

The participants reached a consensus on ICBE as the name. The reasons were:

1. Cordillera recognizes the political and geographical concept as presently understood,

2. Igorot refers to the indigenous peoples of the Cordillera and

3. BIMAAK pertains to the six provinces in the Cordillera.

The term ICBE was considered inclusive and therefore, appropriate.

 

ICBE’s objective is to have biennial gatherings, which are presently called consultations. In Vienna, the participants decided to maintain a loose network and/or consultative character of these gatherings. For each consultation, there is a host committee.   

 

The organizations in ICBE are: Igorot Organization of Austria (Igorot-Austria), Cordillera Community in Belgium (Cordi-Bel), BIBAK Ireland, BIBAK-Switzerland and Igorot-UK.

Individuals are from Germany and The Netherlands.

 

BIMAAK is an acronym for the six provinces of the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) in northern Luzon, Philippines. These are Benguet, Ifugao, Mountain Province, Abra, Apayao and Kalinga. Another acronym commonly used is BIBAK. It stands for the Cordillera provinces: Benguet, Ifugao, Bontoc, Abra and the former: Kalinga-Apayao.

 

Igorots and Cordillerans in Europe first met on 19-21 April 2002 at Ten Berg, Merelbeke in Gent, Belgium. The gathering was called “Assembly of Cordillera People in Europe.” The host was Cordi-Bel together with the local Belgian support groups: New World, Filipijnengroep België (FGB) and the Flemish support group for Indigenous Peoples (KWIA). Ricardo Cuyob served as the coordinator. The theme was, “Strengthening the Cordillera Community in Europe and Fostering Solidarity with the Cordillera People’s Aspiration for Land, Life and Self-Determination.”

 

In Belgium, the participants decided to rotate the hosting of their biennial gatherings. When Austria was nominated as the next venue, Igorot-Austria, with president, Patrick Bounggick, accepted. They named the meeting - 2nd “Igorot European Consultation (IEC)” choosing the theme,  “Our Cordillera People’s Culture: Our Heritage.” The consultation was on 29 May-

1 June 2003 at Jungengastehaus Wien-Briggetenau in Vienna.

 

The name of the succeeding consultations has since evolved into ICBE Consultation (henceforth, Consultation.) 

 

During the 2nd IEC, Switzerland was nominated as the next site. BIBAK-Switzerland, headed by Henry Foken, agreed to organize the next gathering, which would be known as - 3rd ICBE Consultation. The theme was “Our Igorot Cordillera Culture: Heritage and Social Integration.”  And the participants met on 5-8 May 2005 at Hotel Friedegg in Aeschi (near Bern), Switzerland. 

 

From the mountains, the next setting was on an island - Ireland. BIBAK Ireland, led by Dave Aragones, planned for the 4th ICBE Consultation. They decided to continue from the theme of the last Consultation and came up with, “Preservation and Promotion of our Cultural Heritage and Addressing our Issues in Society.” From 17-20 May 2007, the participants assembled at the Marino Conference Centre in Dublin.

 

Participants from Israel, the Philippines, the USA and Canada graced these previous consultations.  

 

In Dublin, the participants nudged Rhino Oblas from Germany and requested if the next ICBE Consultation could be held in his country of residence. Rhino Oblas agreed. And so, the 5th ICBE Consultation will be held on 10-13 April 2009 at Haus Sonnenau in Vallendar (near Koblenz.) The Host Committee consists of Igorots in Germany namely: Severino Oblas, Jane Klee, Mario Guinyawan and Norma Wellhausen. The theme will be, “Igorot Cordillera Rituals - Their Features and Significance.”    

 

Briefly, the content of the past Consultations was the preservation of the Igorot Cordillera cultural heritage. Other topics were: aging migrants, second-generation Igorots, bicultural marriage, migrant issues and Cordillera concerns, stories of our Igorot culture, leadership and volunteerism, and aspects of organizing a conference. An important topic was the passing on of the Igorot Cordillera culture to second-generation Igorots. Every Consultation has a  celebratory Gala Night, which is always a highlight. To have a break from the discussions and see a little of the host country, there is usually a one-day sightseeing tour. The consultation’s latest feature was the watwat. During the 4th ICBE Consultation, the watwat was a farewell gift of one participant to another.

 

31 July 2008