It had been two weeks plus since we stayed in London. So far it is quite all right and Alhamdulillah, staying a bit out of central London was not a big issue since the tube is working. Please pray that all will be well through out my stay in London in the pursuit of knowledge.
I had made a few friends either of the same Master or even of the same modules. SOAS is really a melting pot of culture, a globalise institution which at its best, never raised an issue of ethnicity (not that I know yet) or even religion. I am glad that I have chosen this path that at this moment parallel to my objectives in life. Pray too that Allah open an excellent career path for my husband to upgrade himself in his forte.
So as I was on my way home, in a tube, staring blankly at neighbourhoods in motion, the mind is reflecting on today's anthropology lecture as well as seminar one the Highlands and the Lowlands. Basically, the Highlands are tribes people that are away from international communication which was at that time trade, mainstream politics, feudal hierarchy or the simplest, tribes that live in places that are difficult to get to like in the deep forest or on the mountain. The Lowlanders are the opposite of all that who lives in the feudal system and has direct communication with the outside world through trade and commerce. So basically, if I am not wrong, we are to discuss on the attributes that define the lowlanders and the highlanders as well as their development thought out the years. I had to read like 4 books on these two groups that made up the Southeast Asian big family since I am doing a presentation on it. So I chose to explore the Philippines who are THANK GOD, the least complex group of people in comparison with the Cambodians. The Cambodians, they are just complex. The Highlanders of Cambodia, they are not like the typical stereotypes of highlanders in Southeast Asia. The Kachins are true rebels with own political system; either Gumlao or Gumsa. I confirmed that it is just in any human being attitude to be unique, to distinguish one from another and even to prove that one is superior than another (somehow, we all have the 'Hitler' syndrome). This is one evil trait that prove to be the most stubborn stain through centuries from the beginning of time.
So back to the Philippines, the Buid ( a representative of the Highlander) people who eventually had to give up some of their traditional beliefs in their perseverance to conserve the forest, the environment that is inherited to them. They used to think Western or even Christianity is the threat to their way of life but in fact, I think it is politics and industrialisation. To create political and economic stability, a country need to be cordon through settlements so that it will be much easier to monitor and control. Policies after policies were passed which interestingly compelled the highlanders to adopt the lowlanders way of life. Yet, there are still remains who stay strong to the essence of their traditional philosophy and principles. Like what Dr Janowski said the relationship between the Highlanders and the Lowlanders is like Ying and Yang. The Highlanders tradition balanced the ecosystem as well as humanity (to me). When that balance is upset, it will not be surprising that Armageddon is near. The lesson today mainly remind me again and again the importance of balance in life. Traditions too play a part in our life because traditions are knowledge that guide us through life.
Tomorrow...another day for me to reflect and know more about life.
