Living the ITA Tribe: A Culinary Adventure in the Philippines

🍽️The ITA tribe, one of the oldest indigenous communities in the Philippines, has a unique food culture that combines foraging, hunting, and cooking techniques.

🌿Traditional ITA dishes focus on using locally available ingredients like wild chickens, plantains, and cassava, prepared in simple and sustainable ways.

🦇Although bats are considered a delicacy by the ITA tribe, catching them requires a specific technique using thorny vines. However, we were unable to catch any bats on this particular trip.

🐵While monkey meat is also part of the ITA cuisine, we formed a close bond with a rescued baby monkey and could not bring ourselves to eat it.

♨️The ITA tribe's culinary traditions reflect their deep connection to nature and the importance of preserving their cultural heritage.

What is the ITA tribe?

—The ITA tribe is one of the oldest indigenous communities in the Philippines, with a rich cultural heritage and a unique way of life centered around sustainable food practices.

What are some traditional ITA dishes?

—Traditional ITA dishes include roasted wild chicken, bamboo-cooked rice, cassava-based dishes, and unique delicacies like bat wings and monkey drumsticks.

How do the ITA people hunt for bats?

—The ITA people use thorny vines from the bratan rattan tree to catch bats. They strategically place traps and use the vines' thorns to ensnare the bats as they fly through.

Is it common to eat monkeys in the Philippines?

—While monkey meat is part of the ITA cuisine, it is not a common practice in the broader Filipino food culture. It is mostly consumed by indigenous tribes with cultural and historical connections to this tradition.

What are some key takeaways from the ITA culinary adventure?

—The ITA culinary adventure highlights the importance of sustainable food practices, preserving cultural heritage, and the delicate balance between tradition and modernization in indigenous communities.

00:00Join us on a culinary adventure in the Philippines as we explore the traditional food culture of the ITA tribe.

01:15Discover the ITA tribe's unique combination of foraging, hunting, and cooking techniques.

03:06Experience the clash between modernization and ancient customs in the ITA community.

05:53Learn about the ITA tribe's hunting techniques, including the use of thorny vines to catch bats.

10:00Witness our encounter with a rescued baby monkey, highlighting the ethical dilemma of consuming monkey meat.

11:59Explore traditional ITA dishes like roasted wild chicken and bamboo-cooked rice.

14:28Understand the significance of sustainable food practices in the ITA tribe's culture.

16:40Reflect on the importance of preserving cultural heritage and balancing tradition with modernization.