......"LEASDERSHIP OF B'LAAN".......

......Leadership of Men Bong Fulong, Datu and Female Fulong.....

      The B'laan community (Banwu) was ruled by Datu or village chieftain known as Fulong meaning the wise man.  A Fulong is the oldest and wise man in the village with a considerable amount of wealth in the form of gold, slaves, and the cultural materials.  The ruler-ship is non-formal, recognizing the Fulong in the course of time by the will of the people without a formal selection process or appointment.  To the B'laan, wisdom is a gift from Dawata or God, the person such endowed becomes the sole heir to ruler-ship.  In some instance, a person become a Fulong by virtue of physical superiority in being a champion warrior.
      A B'laan Fulong does not require his people to pay tribute to him.  However, by virtue of love, and respect, the people give him gifts or offering.  A wealthy Fulong could have as many wives as he could support, either by captive or by means of purchase.  The Fulong is looked upon as the leader, protector, mediator, and solution giver.
     A Fulong, according to B'laan custom and tradition, must display exceptional leadership qualities.  He must be fair, decisive and firm particularly in selections involving dispute resolution.  The Fulong is knowledgeable in distinguishing between good and evil.  The term implies that he is skillful in resolving conflict and wise in his decisions.  The Bong Fulong must always be treated with the utmost respect. 
Bong Fulong says:

B'LAAN LANGUAGE.....
     "Do, Willy Gulaya, Fulong di Folu Bato Bong Banwu, ta mayun atnaga do klawil agtabang go mani magkut klawil dad B'laan deni di Folu Bato.  Do na tale gi aglomfak da-u kalnibog bilang sato maba, na samkla dini di lam gani akto-o.  Sato kof dalan aksun go do dadto na fan di fan di fat mi aye gami dad B'laan arat na dad gani akrom.  Gami dad B'laan lo satu bong di dad kati dad Filipino di kabanwa na gami amni tabong".

ENGLISH LANGUAGE.....
     "I Willy Gulaya, TribaL Chieftain of Fulo Bato Bong Banwu, have spent almost half of my  life dedicated to uplifting the lives of the B'laan in Folu Bato.  He had also encountered several within my community which should not be allowed to treated our indigenous rights.  One way of protecting his people is to secure our lives, family and ancestral land.  CADC can help us protect our B'laan culture and traditions.  We B'laan are just a small group among the millions of Filipinos in the country and we are need support".

The words have come from B'laan people and reflect some of our knowledge of our culture and tradition associated with our land.

      Fulong and especially Bong Fulong, are considered to be wealthy individuals within highland B'laan society, who often own numerous horses, caribaw and brass gongs.  As custodian of the land, a Fulong or Bong Fulong is able to extend his sphere of influence by negotiating on behalf of those who use the land, on land related issues.  The wealth of a Fulong or Bong Fulong is based primarily on material goods.  Gongs, in particular, are among the most highly prized items of materiaol culture owned by a Fulong or Bong Fulong.  A traditional leader is unlikely to possess a great deal of cash money.  However, most Fulongs  or Bong Fulongs do possess several, finely crafted, brass gongs.  Inspite of their wealth, Fulongs still engage in agricultural activities.  This factor may be contrasted with the role of Datu, who are never seen to personally engage in agricultural activities or labor of any kind.
     The authority, position, responsibility and  status of the Fulong is inherited particularly usually from father to eldest son.  However, in situations where the eldest son lacks the acquired personal attribute, the Fulong might decide to overlook his first born son and choose one of his other sons to inherit the title Fulong.  If the eldest son of a Fulong possess the necessary personal attributes for this position, he is expected, by his family and the community in general, to accept the hereditary title.  However, if the eldest son does not wish to become Fulong, he may refuse the position.  If this occurs, the hereditary title and position of Fulong will pass to the next eldest son, provided that he too possess the required personal attributes of the role.  In reference to the inheritance of the title and position of Fulong.
     The key role  of the Bong Fulong is the settlement of conflicts.  It is a vital part of his obligation of Bong Fulong to provide the necessary material goods and/ or money required for settlement of conflicts.

      The formal tribal council  as a first in B'laan  history.  It  was established with the assistance and the accreditation of the office of Southern Cultural Commission.  The Fulo Bato tribal council was formally organized by election.  B'laan tribal affairs are presently handled by the Fulo Bato B'laan tribal council, and only accredited by office of Southern Cultural Commission.
   
DATU LEADERSHIP... 

     The title and role of Datu derives from Islamic origin.  In the highland region of Mindanao,the term Datu is often used when referring to very wealthy man, who rarely, if ever engage in any form of physical labor, such as agricultural activities.  Datus, are often well respected man, who occupy position of leadership and authority within their village or region.  Amongst the highland B'laan, however, a distinction is maintained between the role of the Datu and that of the Fulong or Bong Fulong, who is considered to be the traditional B'laan leader and authority figure.  Both the Datu and the Fulong or Bong Fulong are considered to be very wealthy individuals within highland B'laan society.  Datus and Fulongs/ Bong Fulongs usually possess numerous wives and control enough wealth in order to effectively settle dispute.
     Most Datus usually have  plenty of property or material goods (kalyak), such as horses (kora). calibaw, gongs (falimak), traditional jewelry, such as heirloom necklaces (kamagi).  The wife of the Dtu is called Bai, meaning that she has plenty of necklaces or kolintas ,leglets (tlayong, kaling-kaling, singkil).  A Datu often wears slo-an colorful rings made from nito.  A colorful local vine wound into a continuous spiral worn on the legs.  A wealthy Datu could have as many wives as he could secure, wither by capture or purchase.  Each Datu is the autonomous chief over an areas as far as his personal influence will reach, having authority to conscript labour for conducting negotiations with other Datus.  On his death he is succeeded by the eldest son of his first wife, with the approval of the elders.


FEMALE LEADERSHIP....
       A woman's role as leader and custodian of her father's territory is acknowledged by the other B'laan.  Upon the death of the female leader, traditional authority, control, and responsibility would follow the woman's part.  The eldest son of the female leader, provided that hr possessed the necessary personal, attributes, would inherit his grand father's (mother's father) title, duties and responsibilities of the Fulong.  In this manner, inheritance can pass briefly through the female (metrilineal) line until it is once again assumed by the male (patrilineal) line in the succession generation. 
      B'laan women plays a large part on subsistence activities, particularly in respect to agriculture practices.  Agricultural practices among the highland B'laans.  B'laan  are dependent upon  female labor.  B'laan women are largely responsible for kamlo (clearing the field), amla (planting) and muko (harvesting).  A B'laan man who possesses numerous wives is greatly advantaged in terms of agricultural labor and productions.  In some instances, a man with multiple wives might delegate nearly all of the agricultural activities to his wives.
     Women are now able to attain very important and influential position on the tribal council.  This includes the role of Tribal Council Chairman itself.