Keepers of the Malicgong Rice Terraces

Keepers of the Malickong Rice Terraces by Elbina Batala Rafizadeh is a vibrant collection of unique cultural moments translated into universal wisdom. Elbina's work really resonates with me both as a Pinoy artist, having recently visited my family homeland, and as a daily lover of those dreamy Salinas fields. Thank you, Poet. Keep it moving. Mabuhay. Peace.--Joseph Jason Santiago LaCour, Artist and Spoken Word Poet, Bay Area

The poems in Elbina Batala Rafizadeh's Keepers of the Malickong Rice Terraces, emit a palpable longing to connect and know, deep in the bones, the mountainous land and culture of her people, the Bontoc Ifugao Benguet Apayao Kalinga tribal groups of Northern Luzon, in the Philippines. The poet bridges distances--both physical and spiritual--between her ancestors' lands and the agricultural area in the U.S. that her family migrated to: the Salinas Valley, far from their homeland.
But Salinas Valley and nearby Pajaro Valley have their own complicated histories and cultures. Rafizadeh's poems reveal her ability to imagine, to embrace "deep cavernous generosity" and empathy with concerns for social injustice and spiritual commitment. While there is mourning in her writing, there is also a quiet joy and reverence. These thoughtful and contemplative poems will provide inspiration for your own journey. ---Jean Vengua, author of Prau, Aching Vicinities, co-editor of Hay(na)Ku Anthology, Vols I and II

Entering into this volume of poetry is entering into the mind, heart, and world of Elbina Batala Rafizadeh. In this collection, we join Elbina's ancestors in Philippine rice fields, we journey into her childhood and explore Salina's lettuce fields on a bike, and we encounter the wonders of nature and God's grace. As she states, " I feel stuck between/two worlds, favoring neither, /Igorota Filipina, /Filipina-American." These are poems of discovery and wonder presented as a gift for the reader to unwrap and savor. ..Adela Navarro, poet and author of Split Geography, Twice Told Over and My Childrens