Tribal games and the Olympic spirit

776 BC is commonly believed to be the first time the Olympics were held. The date is based on inscriptions found in the city of Olympia that mention winners of a footrace that was held every four years — beginning in 776 BC. For the Ancient Greeks the Olympics were the premiere opportunity to demonstrate physical prowess and compete in the spirit of brotherhood and mutual respect. They honored each other through competition.

The Olympics were resurrected during a meeting of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) from June 16 to June 23, 1894 in Paris and organized by historian Baron Pierre de Coubertin. From that meeting, the modern Olympic Movement was born; with the IOC overseeing all Olympic events. Through the Olympics, the IOC is focused on promoting peace and unity through sport. But among their stated roles is: “Encourage and support initiatives blending sport with culture and education.”

Philippine culture and education are two critical areas that we have focused on our entire career. As a result, when new activities are organized that combine culture and education (with sports) we take notice. Just this year, in the Philippines we are seeing activities organized that exemplifies the Olympic spirit. In cooperation with the Philippine Olympic Committee — part of the International Olympic Committee — Colonel Jeff Antonio Tamayo Jr. (a member of the Philippine Olympic Committee and president Philippine Soft Tennis Association) has organized the first ever Philippine Tribal Games. The games are grounded in the Olympic spirit of unity and respecting and honoring indigenous culture. In this spirit, the events are based on tribal activities: sibat (spear) throwing, foot races, dug-out canoe racing and traditional archery. Earlier this year, the Aeta, Mangyan and Dumagat tribes each held a tribal games event (August 21st, September 25th, October 23rd respectively). The winners from those Tribal Games will compete in a grand finals event on November 6 in Clark Freeport.

Our tribal past is an aspect of our history that has been lamented for its passing, but not enough has been done to preserve, conserve, remember or even learn from it. The Tribal Games are an important addition to our national cultural activities. The goals of the games are to encourage the protection of our biodiversity and natural habitat, strengthen the tribes, develop our community conserved areas, and preserve our cultural heritage for generations to come. Hopefully, in the future, the result will be more attention paid to our tribes and greater national awareness. The Tribal Games are already having a positive impact on the katutubos.

 In a press release by the POC, Antu Sumilang of the Bamban Aeta Tribal Association was quoted: “With great joy we thank the people who have made this event possible. They have given us hope and importance. Now we aspire to become better and active participants of a society that has long neglected and left us on the fringe.” We applaud Colonel Tamayo for his foresight in developing this program, as well as the organizers of the Tribal Games; including the Philippine Olympic Committee and the ASEAN Center for Biodiversity. They are creating a sense an atmosphere of brotherhood and mutual respect that are in accord with the highest ideals of the Olympic spirit. But most especially, we honor the tribal athletes who are participating. 

We hope that the Tribal Games will garner enough support from public and private sectors to expand throughout the country. The IOC should take note of the event and consider expanding it world-wide to include other nations with a tribal presence. We look forward to seeing more coverage of the Tribal Games in print and on television. These are the types of activities worth supporting. 

For more information on the Tribal Games please email [email protected] or [email protected]. Information can be found as well on the Philippine Olympic Committee website at www.olympic.ph.