Manghuhusoy youth document husay mediation knowledge in San Francisco, Agusan del Sur; youth gain access to mediation spaces

Manghuhusoy youth document husay mediation knowledge in San Francisco, Agusan del Sur; youth gain access to mediation spaces

Growing Future Mediators | Pro Peace

Manghuhusoy Youth and the Inter-Generational Transfer of Husay Knowledge

It is hot and dry in San Francisco, Agusan del Sur, Caraga region, Mindanao on a Saturday afternoon in early August where four of forumZFD’s Manghuhusoy youth partners have gathered to reflect on their journey as husay documenters over the past almost three years. The timing of their coming together is not a coincidence. International Youth Day is around the corner and with it the opportunity to advocate for the youth’s meaningful participation and protection as well as share real-life examples of their meaningful contribution to society. And, as the four Manghuhusoy youth sit down to start the conversation, it becomes evident very quickly that they do have a lot to share.

Husay processes – what they are The four youth interviewees are visibly proud of the fact that husay processes have existed for generations and eagerly elaborate on their nature and functionality. In a nutshell, husay is a traditional collective process to resolve or mediate disputes within and between IP tribes, or between IP tribes and non-IPs over access to land and resources, land boundaries and ownership, community leadership, or family issues. Unlike the retributive justice approach under mainstream law that centres on punishment, it seeks to enable reconciliation and restore communal harmony.

Husay processes are fluid but generally encompass two main phases. During the negotiation phase ( “tuda” ), the “Manigaon”, who is the highly respected head of an IP tribe, or a mediator appointed by the Manigaon, engage the dispute parties in separate conversations to hear their perspectives, positions, needs, and stories in an ongoing dispute. The subsequent mediation phase involves direct mediation between the conflict parties in a shared physical space. A symbolic peace pact ( “tampuda” ) between the conflict parties indicates that the underlying conflict issue has been “untangled”.

Challenges to husay processes While they have endured, the interviewees are upfront about pertinent challenges that husay processes face these days. In some parts of their municipality, husay processes are at the risk of becoming increasingly replaced by the so-called Barangay Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanism, which is based on mainstream law. More generally, any contradiction between, or lack of recognition of, customary law by mainstream law makes husay processes impossible, they flag. The declining knowledge about and interest of the younger generation in IP communities to sustain traditional practices, including husay, emerges as a second major concern as the discussion proceeds. “Considerable parts of the IP youth are more interested in social media and new technologies these days and no longer live the traditional culture. Some youth are even ashamed of the IP culture, which makes it difficult to preserve it, ” the interviewees uniformly analyse.

The Manghuhusoy youth and their new role in inter-generational mediation knowledge transfer in selected communities in Bunawan, Loreto, and Esperanza Traditionally, the youth have supported with the logistics around husay processes, for example preparing snacks for the parties involved in the mediation as well as the venue for mediation process. The actual mediation process used to exclude the youth, which prevented them from observing husay mediation techniques being applied to real-life disputes. In the communities of the interviewees, however, youth’s agency and visibility in husay processes has recently increased. How? Through a push for change regarding the knowledge transfer modalities by their Manghuhusoy leaders. Their decision to systematically document mediation knowledge in writing has opened a door for the youth to assume a new role in husay processes as documenters and observers, thereby gaining direct access to physical mediation spaces that were previously closed to them. Their new role comes with clear rules as the youth explain. “ We must remain silent during the mediation and may not make any interventions, which we respect. However, in some cases, we have had the opportunity to approach mediators in between mediation rounds to subtly share our inputs and observations regarding the mediation process that we document.”

Enabling a knowledge transfer mechanism that enhances youth’s agency Documenting the techniques of experienced mediators and building up self-confidence as visible actors in husay processes was initially challenging as the youth admit. They also say that sustained accompaniment from forumZFD has helped them gradually build the skills and confidence needed to document husay processes and engage more meaningfully with experienced mediators. Documentation trainings and forumZFD’s support of the Manghuhusoy leaders to develop a documentation template have provided useful technical guidance for youth documenters. At the same time, the creation of dedicated spaces for the youth to frequently reflect on their observations, perspectives, and feelings during husay processes amongst themselves has given youth documenters the necessary confidence to share their ideas on husay even with experienced mediators.

What comes next? The sun has already set when conversation shifts to the future plans of the youth husay documenters. Collating their documentation work in one book and hand it over to their communities is one priority for them. The book shall enable the smooth transfer of traditional mediation knowledge to future husay mediators. The youth also hope that it will promote the recognition of husay processes with non-IP actors and communities. More reading and learning will be inevitable moving forward. Taking a deep dive into existing mainstream laws such as Republic Act 7610 that enshrines youth rights and marrying them with customary principles of youth protection is a key entry point that youth have identified for themselves towards enhancing their agency and security as future husay mediators. Their work will not stop there. “Inter-generational transfer of traditional mediation knowledge must be part of a broader attempt to sustain the traditional culture and related practices. Strengthening the School of Living Tradition (SLT) where young IP generations learn traditional crafts and ways of living will therefore help to raise the next generation of capable husay mediators,” they say. The interviewees speak with confidence and conviction as they stress their eagerness to continue their learning experience as documenters and observers for the time being. To them, their current role as documenters is an important stage of a long learning process towards becoming a husay mediator. “We see our role as documenters of husay processes as a stepping stone towards becoming capable mediators, which takes time.”

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