Government legislation banning their traditional farming methods has had a devastating impact.
Survival’s campaign helped to partially lift this ban but the Batak still face food shortages.
For generations, they have successfully combined hunting, fishing, and gathering of forest products with shifting agriculture.
Rice, root crops and vegetables are grown, and at the peak of the dry season in March the gardens are burned to the ground.
After the Batak have cultivated a field, they leave it fallow for several years. New gardens are planted in April when the rain arrives.
An intimate knowledge of rice allows them to recognise and name at least 70 different varieties. Women fish with a hook and line, whilst the whole community works together to catch fish by stunning them with a plant-based poison.
The most highly prized game is the wild pig, which the Batak hunt using spears and dogs. They also collect leaves, fruit, tubers and palm hearts for food, as well as resin, rattan canes and wild honey to sell.
Please ask the Philippine government to let the Batak choose how to use their own resources. Write them a letter with your concerns.
Donate to the Batak campaign (and other Survival campaigns).
Write to the President of the Philippines expressing your concern
Write a letter to your MP or MEP (UK).
Write to the President, your senators, congressmen or other elected officials (US).
Write to your local Filipino embassy (you can find their address through embassiesabroad.com)
