Traditional Land Ownership in Benguet

Notes created 6/2/24

 Settlements and Territories of Benguet
 Pre-Spanish Era Settlements
 Benguet was a vast hunting ground with mountainous forested areas rich in flora and fauna,
providing subsistence for the people.
 Major migration routes from Ilocos Coast to southern Cordillera range led to original
settlements in southern Benguet before the 1500s.
 Significant settlements like Darew-Palaypay, Chuyo-Tonglo, and Imbose-Amlimay played
crucial roles in the pre-generational accounts of informants.
 North-southerly movements from Namiligan-Banao area extended to Palina, Kibungan, and
Paoay in Atok due to tribal wars and epidemics.
 East-westerly movements from Kiangan and Tinoc introduced settlers into Buguias,
Kapangan, and beyond, shaping the early communities.
 By 1600, a reversal from west-easterly to east-westerly movement occurred in southern
Benguet, leading to settlements along the Agno River.

 Routes and Movements

 Various migration routes included movements from Batogan, Namiligan-Banao, and
Kalangoya settlements, influencing the spread of populations.
 Settlements in Atok, Bakun, Kabayan, and other areas were established through a series of
movements from different origins.
 Peoples from Buguias intermarried with settlers from various directions, forming early
Kankana-ey communities.
 Distinct routes like those from Pacso to Lutab, Adaoay, and beyond, or from Buguias to
Madaymen, Kibungan, showcased the diversity of movements.

 Peopling and Ethnolinguistic Groups of Benguet

 Ethnolinguistic Diversity
 Benguet's Indigenous Peoples consist of the Ibaloi, Kankanaey, and Kalanguya groups, each
with unique cultures and traditions.
 Ibaloi communities, spread across various municipalities, serve as the southern Cordillera's
first line of defense against colonization.
 Distinct ancestral domains of the Ibaloi in Benguet, except for Tuba and Lusod-Ambasa, are
recognized through certificates of ancestral domain title.
 Shared ancestral domains between Ibaloi, Kalanguya, and Kankana-ey in Kabayan highlight
the interconnectivity of these ethnolinguistic groups.

 Ethnolinguistic Groups of Benguet

 Ibaloi
 Occupation: Southern part of Benguet and eastern Nueva Vizcaya; farmers cultivating rice,
camote, taro, and diversified into other crops.
 Historical Significance: First line of defense against Spanish colonization in the Cordillera's
southern part.
 Ancestral Domains: Recognized ancestral domains in Benguet, shared territories with
Kalanguya and Kankana-ey.
 Economic Activities: Apart from farming, engage in herding cattle and gold mining; recent
focus on education.
 Kankana-ey
 Population: Most populous indigenous group in CAR; divided into Northern and Southern
Kankana-ey.
 Migration: Some groups migrated to other regions for better livelihood opportunities,
especially in farming.
 Economic Impact: Mining affected some ancestral lands, prompting migration; mining
areas became migration hubs.
  Interactions: Shared territories with other indigenous groups like Kalanguya and Ibaloi in
various municipalities.

 Kalanguya
 Origin and Migration: Traced back to communities in Nueva Vizcaya and Benguet;
migrated due to historical events like plague and headhunting.
 Cultural Significance: Derived name 'Kalanguya' from a phrase meaning 'what in the world
is this?'; language and peace-related connotations.
 Migration Patterns: Moved to Buguias, Mountain Province, southern Benguet, eastern
Pangasinan, Nueva Vizcaya, and Nueva Ecija.
 Political Influence: Considered minorities in Kabayan, impacting local politics.

 Karao
 Territory: Inhabit Barangays Karao and Ekip in Bokod, Benguet; no known colonies outside
established communities.
 Migration Story: Journeyed seeking peaceful settlements away from disasters; historical
movements from Mountain Province to present location.
 Negotiations and Settlements: Interactions with Ibaloi communities in Bokod led to current
territory decisions for security.
 Historical Context: Originated from Natonin, Mountain Province, with a narrative of self-
preservation and community evolution.

 Iwak
 Ancestral Domain: Covers areas in Itogon, Benguet, and Nueva Vizcaya; least populous
indigenous group in CAR.
 Cultural Adaptation: Coexist harmoniously with Ibaloi and Kalanguya, adopting aspects of
their culture while retaining their own.
 Infrastructure Contribution: Known for participation in building Kennon Road, a vital link
in the Cordillera region.
 Diversity: Varied groups of Iwak exist, showing differences in customs and practices across
different locations.

 Oral Literature, Music, and Dances

 Chants and Songs
 Badiw Rituals: Native songs like Badiw or Day-eng performed during significant rituals;
each ritual has specific chants.
 Cultural Expressions: Chants and songs hold cultural and ritualistic importance in Benguet
communities.
 Variety in Chants: Different chants for various ceremonies like weddings, reflecting the
diversity of rituals and traditions.
 Preservation of Heritage: Chants serve as a link to the past, preserving cultural practices and
beliefs.

 Written Literature: Riddles

 Ibaloi Riddles: Examples of Ibaloi riddles like 'Binunok, induwaduan ko fay - Emok'
showcasing cultural wordplay and wit.
 Kankanaey Riddles: Riddles like 'Tangadem ed kayang, ad-ado gayang - Udan' reflecting
language nuances and clever constructions.
 Kalanguya Riddles: Riddles such as 'Waday hakey titit ni nalaing, Ngem no malabi ag ma-
ugip - Akop' demonstrating cultural insights and linguistic creativity.
 Educational Value: Riddles serve as educational tools, transmitting cultural knowledge and
language skills.

 Dances & Music

 Tayaw Tradition: Tayaw or Tayao dances like 'Tayaw ni Mabiday' performed to honor the
departed and celebrate life.
  Ceremonial Importance: Dances like Pasang Shi Naykayang symbolize ancestral
connections and community bonds.
 Cultural Continuity: Dance traditions passed down generations maintain cultural identity
and historical legacies.
 Community Engagement: Music and dances serve as communal activities, fostering unity
and shared experiences.

 Benguet Folk Dances

 Tayaw/ Tayao Dances
 Tayaw ni Mabiday: Commemorative dance performed by surviving family members after at
least nine months post-burial, symbolizing the end of grief and suffering.
 Iwak Basi Tayao: Dance celebrating bountiful harvests, featuring a male dancer carrying a
wine jar.
 Tayaw ni Mabiday: Dance of the living performed by married surviving children, wearing
complete Ibaloi attire and tayaw blankets, signifying cultural beliefs and practices on death.

 Other Traditional Dances

 Sadong: Dance performed by women.
 Tallak: Kankana-ey dance accompanied by finely-tuned wooden instruments, historically
used to keep communities alert against enemies, now performed during celebrations and
festivals.
 Bendian: Originally honoring victorious headhunters, now symbolizing unity and harmony
among the Ibaloi, featuring gongs, drums, and a concluding chant.
 Tinaktakyad: Dance performed by women first.
 Taychek: Traditional Karao dance performed during cañao ceremonies, with women in
native attire and men playing Itondak music.

 Benguet Cultural Beliefs and Practices

 Gods and Spirits
 Belief in unseen beings from skyworld and underworld with power over humans.
 Classification of spirits into those of people (living or dead) and those of nature elements
like forests and rivers.
 Variety of spirits, from benevolent protectors to malicious entities causing harm.
 Role of native priests in invoking gods' intervention and conducting rituals for healing and
thanksgiving.

 Customary Laws
 Unwritten customs laws observed as legal norms, integral to belief systems.
 Similarities in customs laws between southern Kankana-ey and Nabaloi tribes regarding
inheritance, marriage, crime settlement, and ordeals.
 Differences in marriage practices between northern and southern Kankana-ey tribes.

 Rituals and Ceremonies

 Rituals and ceremonies marking significant events in Benguet communities' economic and
social life.
 Importance of rituals in Benguet culture to commemorate milestones and activities.

 Rituals and Ceremonies

 Respect for the Unseen
 Peshit/Padit: Series of celebrations to increase prestige and express gratitude to ancestors
and deities.
 Lawit: Post-burial ritual for protection of living relatives.
 Healing Rituals: Traditional consultation and rituals to cure illnesses.
 Keshaw/Kedaw: Rituals to cure suffering from spirits of dead relatives.
 Ngilin: Observance after marriage or death, involving mourning periods for families and
communities.
 Respect for Nature
  Pakde/Pakshel: Rituals to prevent misfortunes like accidents or poor harvests.
 Forest Management: Seeking permission from forest entities before activities.
 Diyaw: Appeasement ritual when settling in a new house.
 Respect for Others
 Ubbo/Alluyon: Reciprocal labor exchange for community support in times of need.
 Dang-as/Da-ngah: Community assistance in building houses.
 Tongtongan: Conflict resolution through community dialogue with elders.

 Inayan Value System

 Interconnectedness and Holism
 Belief in interconnectedness with all beings and nature.
 Code of conduct emphasizing respect for nature and shared origins.
 Promotion of social values like compassion, cooperation, and living harmoniously.

 Lawa and Paniyew

 Lawa/Paniyew: Unwritten law promoting peaceful relations and respect for others.
 Fear of offending unseen beings to prevent harm to others or the environment.
 Reinforcement of responsibility and doing good through belief in a Supreme Being.

 Indigenous Healing Practices

 Selshey ni Sakit/Keshow
 Healing ritual using offerings to ward off diseases and misfortunes.
 Recent use against Covid-19 with traditional practices.

 Aspol and Ibumangi

 Aspol: Ritual to restore consciousness or sanity by appeasing spirits.
 Ibumangi: Healing ritual for persistent sickness involving prayers and symbolic actions.

 Sarey
 Healing ritual to prevent bad luck after accidents.
 Involves burying symbolic items and prayers for wellness and prosperity.

 Mummification
 Kabayan Fire Mummies
 Preserved remains found in Benguet caves, mummified between 1200 and 1500 A.D.