Help Restore Ancestral Rice Terraces in Ifugao

Joannah Tindongan is organizing this fundraiser.

Donation protected

This November we are launching the biggest movement towards physical reclamation that we have attempted in Ifugao. With a particular focus on agriculture, we are launching direct crowdfunding to restore rice terraces, preserve native heirloom seeds, and farm organically. A large part of our funds will be used to purchase abandoned rice fields in a dwindling village where we have been working in the past five years. We welcome everyone passionate about cultural revitalization of indigenous knowledge to support the activities of the Ifugao Center for Living Culture. Since 2015, Mamerto Lagitan Tindongan has been leading initiatives to utilize and promote the indigenous practices of the Ifugao in the municipality of Banaue, Ifugao. Until now, we have been increasing rice production using traditional practices, opening new markets for locally made products, and continuing the deep spiritual practices of the ancestors of the region. People from around the world, including many Filipinos in the diaspora, have visited the Ifugao CLC to connect to nature and their heritage. Today, we are asking for support to help expand and sustain the activities at the Ifugao CLC so we can support more community members and create space for more people to visit, live, and support the work we are doing.

We are grateful to all of the ancestral connection and cultural preservation movements that Mamerto has been a part of up until now that have created the space, experience and platform to arrive at this moment. We thank you for trusting us with this honorable work.