Integrating Folk Dance, Art, and Ecology in Isla Kapispisan towards Sustainability

Abstract

This study highlights the intersection of intangible cultural heritage, visual arts, and environmental education through the development of an illustrated folk dance repertoire rooted in the lived experiences and ecological practices of the community in Isla Kapispisan, Barangay Pinamuk-an, New Washington, Aklan, Philippines. The baseline information obtained through interviews with the island residents was used to conceptualize and describe the five original and peculiar dance movements, namely Taeabahan, Pagtanum It Bakhawan, Pamanggae, Panaboy, and Batakbatak. These movements symbolically represent traditional practices such as oyster propagation, mangrove reforestation, crab harvesting, and sustainable fishing techniques. These choreographic sequences are visually rendered through a series of illustrations, transforming the dances into a multidimensional medium for cultural expression and ecological advocacy. The integration of folk dance with visual arts serves as a culturally responsive approach to conservation education that fosters environmental awareness, community engagement, and the transmission of ecological knowledge through the arts.