The natural environment as a significant factor in farmers and fishermen’s notions of peace

Abstract

This study delves into the aspect on how the farmers of Barangay Kambonggan, a mountainous coconut farming community thirteen kilometers from the poblacion of Baybay, Leyte, Philippines and the fishermen of the coastal fishing community of Sitio Lapawon, Barangay Santo Rosario of the same locality understand the notion of Peace through the qualitative research method of Phenomenology. This study finds out that the farmers understand peace in relation to their concept of kinabuhi ug kinaiyahan (life in relation to the environment). The farmers believe that peace is only achievable if Mother Nature favors them in their livelihood through good weather conditions that suit coconut farming and crop cultivation. Yet, the farmers are certain that Nature’s cooperation is acquired only when they do their share in the care and conservation of the environment. Hence, for farmers, the attainment of peace entails a two-way process. This study also finds out that the fishermen’s notion of peace is also greatly influenced by Mother Nature. In fact, fishermen understand peace in relation to the concept of Dagat maoy kinabuhi (the sea is life). Since the sea is part of fishermen’s lives, this study finds out that the behavior and generosity of the sea also determines the fishermen’s understanding and experience of peace. Like the experience of their farmer counterparts, achieving peace also requires a two-way reciprocal process. This paper concludes that the farmers and fishermen’s notions of peace are greatly influenced by the behavior of the environment towards their way of life.