Dialogic Spaces for Peace: The Pechen Peace Pact System of Bontoc. Mountain Province as a Communication Phenomenon.

Abstract

Of the numerous customs and traditions practiced by the Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples (ICCs/IPs) of CAR, the pechen of Bontoc, Mountain Province is an indigenous knoweldge, systems and practices (IKSP) used in resolving conflicts within the community and between neighboring communities/municipalities. It predates Spaning colonization and has remained a customary way of solving cases and a means of amicable settlement among the Bontok people as well as with disputes with ICCs/IPs in other municipalities. This dissertation looked at the dialogic space of the pechen pact system of Bontoc, Mountain Province guided by the socio-cultural critical theories of communication. It sought to understand the changes, acceptance and relevance of the peace pact vis a vis established local government and legal institutions. Methodologically, the study is highly qualitative, relating principles of narrotology and narrative research. Focus Group Discussions in existing peace pacts between Bontoc and the neighboring municipalities of Sadangam Mountain Province and Tinglayan, Kalinga were conducted. Narrative analysis enabled the researcher to understand the pechen peace pact system as a communication phenomenon that is an affective custom to maintain the peace in communities with peace pacts. Decisions are results of collective dialogues where consensus is reached by the community as a whole. In the pechen and in ICCs in general, individuals are products of their social environment and shared norms, rituals and worldviews. Everyday interactions with other shape cultural patterns and social structures, resulting to the establishment of the existing sociocultural order. As a dynamic and intrinsic cultural practice that has stood the test of time, its importance in keeping the peace cannot be overemphasized. It is crucial that local government units' recognition of the pechen peace pact continue and be strengthened, particularly in the provincial and the national levels since much be learned from the pechen especially in conflict resolution.