UP prof explains Nas Daily's Whang-od Academy dispute

 Nas Daily's Whang-od Academy became a heated discussion online after a tattoo master Apo Whang-od's grandniece called the learning platform a scam.

According to the granddaughter, Nas Academy, allegedly using Apo Whang-od traditional tattoo techniques for its online course without their consent or signed contract. In a Facebook post by Grace Palicas said, "Some people are taking advantage of our culture. PLEASE HELP US STOP this disrespect to Apo Whang Od and the Butbot Tribe."

In August 5, Nas Academy released a statement and a video showing proof that the tattoo artist Whang-od signed a contract and claimed that it is not a scam.

So what is the problem?

Professor Nestor Castro of the University of the Philippines explained that "Nas Daily does not understand Kalinga culture.  Whang-od is not just an individual artist but she is also a member of the Butbut Tribe of Kalinga."

"Her skill on the art of traditional tattooing is derived from the indigenous knowledge of generations of Kalinga ancestors.  Thus, this indigenous knowledge is collectively owned (although it may be individually practiced) by the Butbut.  Thus, the consent of the members of the Butbut is necessary if this knowledge is to be shared to outsiders.  Getting the permission of one individual is not enough."

"Nas Daily does not know Philippine law, more particularly Republic Act No. 8371 or the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA) and its Implementing Rules and Regulations.  Free and prior informed consent (FPIC) is required when the knowledge of indigenous peoples is used for commercial purposes. 

"This consent is secured from the members of the ancestral domain, in this case the members of the Butbut Tribe and not from just one individual or her family.  This is especially true of the Whang-od Academy will reveal to outsiders about the indigenous community's rituals.  The agreement between the parties should also be written in English and the local Kinalingga language and witnessed by the National Commission for Indigenous Peoples (NCIP). "

In the end of his post, Castro believe that the "problem can still be corrected if Nas Daily respects Kalinga culture and follows the law."