Erika Mae L.

Isip
2019-09411
Arts 1-WFW
Belief and Religion in the Arts
Okir and Dukit: Where Christianity and Islam Meets
The woodcarving art in the Philippines reflects two predominant culture of faith: the okir

represents the Muslim and the dukit of Betis, Pampanga shows the how the Filipinos embraced the

Christian faith. Although the dukit and okir are expressions of different two different religious

culture in the Philippines, if you re-examine this country’s history, you’ll learn how both are

constructs of Filipino identity that share the same history .

Okir or okil, means to curve or to sculp, is the term used by Muslim and Lumad people of

Mindanao to refer to the art motifs characterized by engravings of rectilinear and curvilinear plant-

based designs and folk patterns. It is a particularly well-known artistic cultural heritage of the

Maranao and Sama (Badjao) tribes which is also spread and adopted by neighboring Maguindanao,

Iranun, Tausug, Yakan, and Lumad groups (Baradas, D.B, 2013).

The Maranao adopted the original patterns of the Sama and refined the designs to

embellish the torogan houses of the ruling datu class in the pre-colonial era. The panolong of the

torogan, which are the carved floor beams are modeled after awang boat prows. These protrude on

the façade of the houses and are styled with intricate okir designs, usually that of a naga (a sea

serpent or dragon) which they believe can drive away evil spirits. Another key feature of the

torogan is the the tinai a walai or the "intestine of the house”, it has okir designs which had ritual

significance. The torogan is a symbol of power and status. Thus, it became widespread in Maranao

artistic manifestations due to its connection with rank and prestige. As a result, okir designs are

ubiquitous in textiles, musical instruments, betel quid containers, sculptures, weaponry, silver

inlays, and so on (Baradas, D.B, 2013)..

Erika Mae L. Isip
2019-09411
Arts 1-WFW
To the Sama tribe, okil is mainly used for burial rights. The sunduk or grave markers line

their ancient traditional burial grounds found in Sulu and Tawi-Tawi. These are the earliest form

of okil which are usually carved from coral and limestone. Later on, they used wood to carve

markers to the boat belonging to the deceased. Designs of okil include human figures that represent

the deceased. The tombs of women are engraved with combs and mirrors whereas the tombs of

men depict head coverings. The elaborate designs of the bed frames of the dead illustrates buntings

and food offerings. From this, it can be observed that the pre-colonial designs of okir or okil

reflects the ancient ancestor worship (anito) traditions of the tribe (Baradas, D.B, 2013).

In Betis, Guagua in the province of Pampanga, the ancient form of woodcarving is called

dukit. It is the town’s artistic specialty which became internationally renowned during the

presidential term of Diosdado Macapagal, when overseas trade of carved furniture was at its peak.

One matecanan mandukit (master sculptor) of Betis named Juan Flores, won a Grand Prize in

Richard Nixon’s Bust Sculpture-Making Competition in 1972 which further boost the popularity

of the artform (Banal, R. 2013).

Prior to the arrival of the Spaniards, the riverside of Betis was populated by Muslims, who

introduced an developed the town’s culture and way of life .In addition, local historian Mariano

Henson said that, in the past, Betis people are renowned blacksmiths, carvers, ship builders, and

carpenters. Thus, the Kapampangan’s dukit is said to be derived from okir tradition (Banal, R.

2013).

In the 1770’s Betis was an encomienda, this means it became a mutli-cultural place of all

Asian and European influence. The latest European trends were introduced, regardless of native

adaptability. Consequently, the townsfolk easily accepted what expresses their aesthetic
Erika Mae L. Isip
2019-09411
Arts 1-WFW
sensibilities and pre-colonial skills: woodcarving. Today, we can see the artistic manifestation of

the Catholic faith that the Spanish colonizers introduced through their art, sculptures and wooden

carvings. A prime example of this is the magnificent baroque St. James Parish Church, which was

declared as a National Cultural Treasure by the National Museum in 2009. It is famous for its

ornate “trompe l'oeil” effect, done by local painters and with themes obtained from the Bible. To

commemorate the contributions that defined material culture the Betis community, the

townspeople celebrate Dukit Festival; where woodcarving and dance competitions with dukit

motifs were held in the vicinity of the church (Banal, R. 2013).

Presently, majority of Betis’ dukit depict religious themes which include images and

figures of saints and ecclesiastical designs on wooden karo (carroza), altar ,retablo and other

church furnishings. Despite that, the ethnic sensibilities are still evident in the ornamental motifs

and local design patterns known as bulabulaklak (floral) and kulakulate (design simulating vines)

like the Maranao’s. Similar to other pre-colonial practices of okir, these non-religious themes are

utilitarian in nature and used for aesthetic designs of furniture, portrait/bust, and tools

(Mapanoo,2020).

Philippines is a country with a diverse community with different set of beliefs, culture,

ideals and religion. One huge misconception is that our diversity makes it impossible for the

Filipino people to have solid unity. Since the Spanish colonization, Muslims and Christians are

always depicted in such a way that there is always opposition between them. So, in this paper, we

have revisited our history and found out how art worked as a common ground between these

differences. Okir and dukit reflects the unchanging religious traits and the deep connection of

Filipino people with their spirituality. Therefore, this justifies why we are a nation who is deeply

rooted in faith and devotion despite having different religious beliefs.

Erika Mae L. Isip
2019-09411
Arts 1-WFW
Truly, art is an extremely essential form of cultural expression that can educate us

comprehensively about our people or nation. It enlightens us on cultural influences from other

places, periods, cultural values, the endurance of certain traditions, and resistance and change to

particular traditions. Thus, through art we can express our own individuality but at the same time

find our cultural similarities and express a shared identity.

References

Baradas, D.B. (2013). Some implications of the okir motif in lanao and sulu art.Retrieved

from https://www.asj.upd.edu.ph/mediabox/archive/ASJ-06-02-1968/baradas-

some%20implications%20of%20he%20okir%20motif%20in%20lanao%20and%2

0sulu%20art.pdf

Banal, R. (2013). Dukit: Celebrating and preserving culture in the Woodcarving Capital of

the PHL. Retrieved December 18, 2020, from

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/lifestyle/artandculture/341593/dukit-

celebrating-and-preserving-culture-in-the-woodcarving-capital-of-the-phl/story/

Mapanoo, S. A. (2020). Betis Mandukit: A Comparative Analysis of the Works of Wilfredo

Layug and Boyet Flores : Philippine Art, Culture and Antiquities. Retrieved

December 18, 2020, from http://www.artesdelasfilipinas.com/archives/187/betis-

mandukit-a-comparative-analysis-of-the-works-of-wilfredo-layug-and-boyet-

flores
Erika Mae L. Isip
2019-09411
Arts 1-WFW