Mavulis Island is one the northernmost Islands of the Batanes in the Philippines. It is the province of Batanes and it is also known as Y’Ami by Americans.
The people of the Batanes are called Ivatan.
It is very difficult to observe formal occasions because they are so mixed in scope and quality.
The Local ceremonies are divided into two groups:
In the first Group: Ceremonies which do not belong to a specific date like ceremonies for boat inauguration, ceremonies for house inauguration, ceremonies for new clothing inauguration, ceremonies for taboo washing for woven items, ceremonies for the opening of the flying fish season, ceremonies for name-giving funerals.
In the second group: Ceremonies which belong to fixed dates or within the specific season like fishing season, include ceremonies for safety during the fishing season, ceremonies for the fish-hooks, ceremonies for summoning fish, ceremonies for the sacrifice of a pig at mid-season, ceremonies for millet pounding, ceremonies for the beginning of daytime angling, ceremonies for fish-hook for daytime angling, ceremonies for the first dolphin-fish of the season, ceremonies for bringing the catch home, ceremonies for lifting taboos concerning the consumption of certain food items and concerning fetching of water, ceremonies for cutting of dried fish-tail. Ceremonies for comfort of menfolk for their hard work by their wives or mothers, ceremonies for individual small boats, ceremonies for the drying hook, ceremonies for season closing, ceremonies for the opening day of the boat on that season.
Following are the main manufacturing activities of the people of this Island.
Boat building, house building, and weaving are the most important manufacturing activities of the people of this Island. Also, the making of earthen pots thought to be an important manufacturing activity but now this activity has been down by the Yami. Now the main focus is Metal pots and pans because they are easy to manufacture, and also are more durable than the homemade ones.
There are different size of boats made by the citizens of the Batanes islands. There are one, two, or three-person boats. Also rarely six-person boats. The largest ones are for ten persons. Usually, small boats controlled by one person or a family. Large boats for six or ten persons are controlled by fishing corporations in the village. The fishing companies may be included several families of the same or of different doors. The boats are made of boards which are fixed symmetrically on the base. They are locked to each other with wooden nails. The spaces between boards are caulked with tree cotton to block leaking. Taboo prohibits the use of old boards in a new boat. Boats can be made individually, but it is very hard work to fell trees, cut the boards, and transport them from the rainforest to the village. Since it is easier to perform these activities in a group, usually the family members and friends of the building party are all involved in the work. All those who have participated will have a share from the taro. Relatives who live in different villages and who do not participate in the work will have a share too.