THE INTERPLAY OF GENDER AND NATURE: AN ECOFEMINIST ANALYSIS OF LANAO NARRATIVES

Authors: Giselle Ann Espinosa & Beverly Taga, PhD

ABSTRACT

This study explores ecofeminist themes within the Lanao epics, Bantugan and Maharadia Lawana, analyzing how these narratives reflect and construct relationships between gender, ecology, and cultural sustainability. Despite the rich cultural and ecological content of these narratives, a significant gap exists in scholarly ecofeminist analysis within the Lanao context. This research addresses this gap by employing a thematic analysis to examine the epics through the lens of the Harvard Analytical Framework, focusing on gender roles and relations. Findings reveal four key themes: Harmony with Nature, Connection to the Land, Gender Dynamics and Ecology, and Resilience and Adaptation. Bantugan particularly highlights a profound human-animal connection and the land’s symbolic significance, demonstrating a cultural understanding of interdependence with the environment. Gender roles, as seen in Kabaian’s resource gathering and Siagambal Anunan Kelam Anandinganan’s authority, are shown to be intrinsically linked to ecological interactions, illustrating the ‘lived’ experience of the environment. Furthermore, the epics portray resilience and adaptation through characters’ reliance on both inner strength and nature’s power, reflecting the interconnectedness of human and ecological resilience. This research contributes to the understanding of ecofeminism within indigenous narratives, highlighting the intricate connections between gender, ecology, and culture in Lanaoan society and offering insights into the ways local narratives can inform contemporary ecofeminist discourse.

Keywords: Ecofeminism, indigenous narratives, gender roles, ecology, epics

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