The School for Indigenous Knowledge & Traditions' mission is to educate, advocate, lobby and promote cultural tourism. Maria Todi, an accomplished chanter, dancer and musician (hegalong, the two string lute of the T'boli), founded and runs SIKAT. Because there's no official titling in T'boli culture, one of the unresolved issues involves land rights. Besides T'boli, other tribes in the area are Ubo, Tasaday and Manobos. You're introduced to artists and elders and have the chance to learn about T'boli customs, history and stories. Music and dance classes for area children are held every Saturday. You can sleep on a mattress (P250) in the gono bong (longhouse) on the main road that leads through town; SIKAT also offers homestays. Maria can arrange visits to villages deeper into the surrounding countryside (one of the local datus is said to have 20 wives); ask about Mafil in barangay Tasimen. If you go, consider bringing something simple like noodles to share. Or closer by is T'bong village where you can visit a bamboo hut where weavers produce textiles in the traditional colours of white, red and black in T'nalak patterns are said to come in a dream inspired by Fu Dalu, the spirit of weavers. In general, weavers apprentice for six years and the average piece made from abaka material takes four months to complete. If you can, check out Dreamweavers (2000), a documentary about several T'boli artists and their practices and challenges in a rapidly modernising culture.
