(By Prof. Jhonil S. Bajado)
๐๐๐๐๐๐, ๐ฐ๐ก๐๐ญ?
Kamagi is a golden chain or sash worn by precolonial Samarnons as a royal status symbol. This is the inspiration of the SSU Kamagi.
In a picture depicting the precolonial Bisayans published in a historical document called the Boxer Codex published in the year 1400s, one can view an artistic rendition of kamagi.
In the present context, the Kamagi depicts the status symbol of bona fide graduates of Samar State University. It is rendered mainly in royal dark blue color and gold- two of the official colors of the university. Hence, in order to have a unique name of SSUโs academic and graduation regalia, it shall be called the SSU Kamagi.
๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐: ๐๐๐จ๐ง ๐จ๐ ๐๐๐๐ง๐ญ๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ
The baybayin (syllabic) icons used in the kamagi were taken from the original Surat Binisaya (Bisayan syllabary) of the precolonial people of Samar.
Taken from the research of Fr. Cantius Kobak, the syllabary was based on the book Historia de la Islas e Indios de Bisayas parte mayor I mas principal de las islas Filipinas, published in 1668 written by Fr. Francisco Ignacio Alcina, a Jesuit priest who was assigned in Borongan, Palapag, Catbalogan, etc., during the early years of Spanish colonization in Samar.
The baybayin icons depict the initials โSโ and โUโ to complete the SSU initials. It is taken in the context of initials rather than the syllabic iconography available because Samar has no alphabet but a syllabary, which was common in early Philippine communities. These icons were taken from the Palapag and Guiuan syllabary, accordingly.
๐ฝ๐ผ๐๐๐ ๐ฉ๐๐ญ๐ฉ๐ช๐จ: ๐ ๐ฌ๐ค๐ซ๐๐ฃ ๐ข๐๐ฃ๐ฉ๐ง๐
The center part of the kamagi (in blue color) has a visual texture of a woven banig (mat). Banig is a handwoven mat usually used for sleeping among Filipinos.
Banig -weaving is part of the artistic culture of Samar, especially in the town of Basey which is known for its tikog (native reed) mats. Tikog stems are normally gathered, bleached, and dried under the sun for several days. The process of banig-making is actually reflective of Samar State Universityโs mantra: We Innovate, We Build, We Serve.
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Samar State University, has a satellite campus at the town of Basey and it supports the artistic industry of banig-weaving. Currently, there are initiatives by peoplesโ organization, local government units, and entrepreneurs to re-popularize the banig products which has undergone significant innovations. The use of banig texture in the kamagi is a way of recognizing the artistry of our local banig artisans and their innovativeness- a cardinal virtue that a SSU graduate must possess.
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Banig-weaving is a tedious task that requires a lot of physical toil, patience, and artistic substance. Hence, the banig texture in the kamagi is akin to the academic toils of the students in pursuit of academic excellence. The interwoven geometric patterns of the banig are not easy to achieve, but with determination to create and build a successful artwork, nothing is impossible. The virtue exemplifies the mantra of building the foundation of the future leaders and professionals of Samar communities and the nation in general.
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Banig-weaving is the bread and butter of the women weavers in Basey, Samar. While it is the weavers’ means of subsistence, they are actually unsung heroes of culture- for they persist to give life to the cultural tradition of banig-weaving of Samar. It is a great service to our ethos as a people. Hence, including and wearing the banig texture in the kamagi is a constant reminder to serve our people, our community, and the rest of humanity.
๐๐ผ๐ ๐ฃ๐ถ๐ป๐๐ฎ๐ฑ๐ผ๐ : ๐๐ป๐ธ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ผ๐๐ฟ ๐๐ฎ๐น๐๐ฒ๐ ๐๐ผ ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ฐ๐ผ๐ฟ๐ฒ
The subtle icons found in the SSU Kamagi include patterns found in early tattoo designs among the Bisayans as recorded in the Boxer Codex.
Accordingly, tattooing is not necessarily peculiar to Samar because myriad of ethnic groups in the country practiced the art of tattooing. However, Samarnons were noted to be the most heavily-tattooed people, prompting the early Spanish colonizers to call us Pintados (painted) people.
Tattooing was not only for aesthetic but also for cultural value and was loaded with significant meanings. For example, only men who have showed unsurpassed bravery and heroic acts can be tattooed with specific geometric patterns. Hence, the more tattoo a man has, the more respected he was in the community. A Datu (local chieftain), or other men filled with tattoo were considered a ๐๐๐ง๐๐๐๐ฃ๐๐๐ฃ (Waray term for hero). As to the women, it was both a symbol of elegance and beauty. The more tattoo women have, the more beautiful they were in the eyes of the precolonial society.
The pagpatik tradition of the Samarnons can therefore be identified with Samar State Universityโs core values: Leadership, Excellence, Discipline, and Service. These tattoo patterns were reserved and inked to the body of excellent leaders, disciplined citizens, and to people who unceasingly serve for the greater cause of the community. When the SSU Kamagi is worn by the SSU graduates, they will be evoked with the values we account dearly to the core.
The SSU Kamagi was researched, conceptualized, and designed by Prof. Jhonil C. Bajado, Head of SSU Musuem & Archives and Faculty Regent of Samar State University. The initial drawing was rendered by Mr. Nipthali Garnica, a Social Studies student artist of SSU. The digital layout prototype was made by digital artist Mr. Christ Palmiano , a graduating architecture student of SSU. The design and protocol of using the SSU Kamagi was approved by the SSU Board of Regents thru BOR Resolution #41, s. 2023, replacing the toga as the