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III. YBANNAG - Customs and Traditions
III. YBANNAG - Customs and Traditions
2.
Giving birth
When the baby is ready to be born, a midwife of the tribe or paltera is called
for the delivery. Chantings and soft prayers are led by the chief. The husband
touches the belly of the wife and pleads to the creator spirit for the safety of the
mother and child. He sits beside the wife until the delivery is over. The elders sit
near the new mother available for any help they can extend. Night or day,
delivery is done facing the east which means facing the rising sun for luck to
the child as he goes out into the world. After the baby is born, the mother is
asked to drink broth of boiled chicken, while the baby is made to taste juice of
bitter ampalaya to signify his strength and readiness to meet the challenges of
life, and then other rituals follow; verses are made and recited, drinks and foods
are served. There is rejoicing in the village.
Although these days, women are getting use to hospital services on this
aspect. However, there are still women who prefer to give birth home. The
government is encouraging native palteras to join in the trainings on health
care and sanitation
3.
Naming a child
A child is named according to many factors: The season, the winning at the
moment, the victories of the time,the ancestors emulated, the beautiful
experiences, dreams, and suggestions of the elders. The name chosen was
chanted many times by the elders asking the creator spirit to bless the name. If
after a name is chosen and subsequently the baby gets seriously sick, there
may be a change of the name to that of a deceased member of the family or
another name suggested by any of the elders.
Later when the ybanag became a Catholic, a saints name was chosen in
place for registration and baptism. However, the nickname may still follow the
old customs.
4. As an Adolescent
By the time the child reaches the age of 12 to 15, he has learned already many
lessons of life. He knows about prayers for the seasons of the year, dances to
celebrate every occasion and request the spirit to grant petitions; swimming in
the rivers or seas, fishing, hunting, farming, making and using bow and arrow,
sizing his possible enemy, whistling, making signs by sounds, imitating animal
sounds, drumming, singing songs of the tribe, fighting for self defense and
others.
Nontheless, despite his knowledge, skills and strength, he must remain
respectful and obedient to his elders, always ready for service and defense of his
family and his tribe; who are the channels of grace for peace and abundance to
himself and family. This is a trait that hopefully the children will continue to
appreciate and practice for families to endure and stay closer.
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Ose, ose biba, (Ose, Ose live)
lapaw na Sampagita, (blossoms/ flowers of Sampagita)
lapaw na Ilang-ilang maka uru ta tulagan.(blossoms/flowers of Ilangilang, cures ailments)
Sinni y mapia babay, si ( bride name ) nu matolay, (Who is the
best girl (brided name) if she lives long
Sinni y Mapia lalung si ( bride grooms )namenu manayun.( who is
the best rooster ( bride grooms name) if he will endure
for a long time )
This is appreciated and valued to this day in most families.
7. Celebrations of fiesta, Fiestas were very common as they take place whenever
there is something to thank Yafu for. Like successful hunting, good weather,
good harvest, safe delivery, recovery from illness, healing, recovery of lost work
animal, visit of a friend or loved ones. etc. The Yafu nga Namarratu is always
invoked and prayers, chantings, songs, drums, foods and wine are served.
There is also display of skills in archery or pana, , running race, throwing stones,
hunting, swimming, etc.
Fiestas are still prevalent in most ybannag homes. Today , they have even
added new practices from other countries. Yearly there is celebration of the
honored saint the town is dedicated to. All homes are prepared for anyone to
come in the house and be guests to eat the foods and drinks prepared. There are
also programs in the centers, parades, and display of native culture, native songs,
dances, and native instruments are played, etc. to commemorate the day or
days.
8. Acquisition of property/land
The Ybanag is adapted to life in the wilderness., specifically the forests along
the rivers of the Cagayan Valley. He stayed in a place and presume ownership
when nobody claimed it. The tribal chief is informed of the desire to stay in the
place who gives the nod. Unfortunately in the 18 th century, despite long settling
and clearing the area, some wise immigrants claimed ownership because of
papers showing title to the place. Thus, the Ybannag moves and clears another
forest area.
When the native ybanag entered his newly acquired land.The eldest
blended his being with the land by whispering to the land We wish to stay here.
Give us peace, health and abundance. Then he pricks his middle finger that
blood may be mixed with the soil to symbolize oneness of his family with the
new property.
Foods are offered to the Deity. Prayers and chantings thanking the spirit for
the Guidance to the place and also to ask for continues guidance and
assistance and protection from any evil.
In the 19th and 20th century there was a sudden influx of immigrants from other
regions towards the Cagayan Valley. These immigrants from other regions
bought the lands held by ybanags for a very cheap price or forcibly grab them in
cahoots with the Register of Deeds or applied for the lands held by the
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ybannags who have been there for centuries and were not aware of the need for
documents.
Foreigners started owning haciendas , mostly Spaniards or immigrants from
other regions, removing the ybannags of their rightful place.
Nevertheless, the Ybanags stood the challenges of time. Some were able to
buy back some their lands, Others by applying for newly released public lands
and others stay as tenants hoping to eventually move towards the opportunity to
buy the lands. But, it doesnt matter that much who owns the lands. They are still
there and will stay there saying it is the land of their ascendants.
9. Bidding goodbye/farewell
When children marry, they may stay with their parents or start on their own after
some number of years and then relocate to a different place of their own tribe.
When they leave towards independence, it is a sentimental farewell for both
children and the parents. A gathering of the whole tribe is made, there is food
and as usual dancing around the fire. Parents and elders give their advises
and gifts to start their new life in the neighborhood of their choice. This rarely
happens, however it does happen.
10. Internment and funerals
The departed one is termed y nallicug or y nanawmeaning the one who
turned back or who left. There are evidences of clay coffins found in Northern
Cagayan. Carbon dating says of 25,000 years age.
From the 15th to the early 20th century, a deceased member after he is believed
dead, is put inside a rolled mat and brought to a big house. This big house is a place
where dead members were always brought earlier. He stays there for some few hours
or days before he is buried in a place usually near the tribes dwellings. His stay there is
called Matarag In the big house family members, visit him one by one or as a group
to say all the endearments, to ask for his forgiveness, and to release him easily to his
creator by forgiving him from all his faults saying it loudly. This is to prepare his spirit
for the many powers the creator may assign him and to move easily on errands for
his family or tribe.
These days the passion of Jesus is sung during the wake.
Before lowering his body to the less than 1 meter freshly digged soil, his final
resting place, a member of the family holds a piece of cloth or anything the departed
owns and whispers alone to him some instructions like: not to wonder at night scaring
people; to guard the family members against those who may want to do evil; the
promise to remember him always and to give regards to those who went ahead of him.
This practice is called Mangagacao
On the tenth day after death, it is believed that his spirit has already received
powers. He visits his family and friends. The members sing his favorite songs to his
family.
IV.
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against their will. . They could cause the impossible to happen that may bring fortune
or misfortune. This spirit is referred to as the Namarattu meaning the Creator. The
Creator eternally lives and has extensions of himself with their respective fields of
charge. The Spirits of Life, harvest, children, health,wealth, peace, good weather,
safety & security, wisdom, strength, beauty, arts, happiness, death, sorrows and
consolation , success and others.
The tribe believed that the spirit of the departed is tasked by the creator to guard
their beloved living ones and would help when asked to. They are called Manangaw
or Mamulu, whose power, strength and effectiveness depends on their past life and
goodness on earth. Or Magaluag spirits who guard a place.
It is easy to surmise how most Ybannags became Christian Catholics easily .
Their ethnic religion was simply fused with the new religion. The rituals of the native
religion have been immersed and combined with Christian religiosity.
Another medium the Creator God uses is a live person who interprets the will of the
creator and advises on how to please the God Spirit or the extension spirits. In
extreme cases, like sickness, or lost of a property, or separation and others, he goes to
the Mangilu who touches his hands or body to heal the sick body or advises on what
to do to get healed; who will tell what mistake was made and how to make up for it.
What offerings to make in the form of food , dances, abstinence from eating certain
foods, and others.
Some beliefs and rituals towards spirituality are enumerated: Most of which are still
observed today
1. A God exist referred to as Namaratu a spirit with extensions to assist man in all
needs. And same God may make life miserable to proud and arrogant man; this
God can appear in any form he wishes. He is everwhere. The universe was the
church of God. The roof of the world were the skies and the clouds.
2. It is only Namarattu who can give life to man and only he has the right to kill or
take life. Man is given right to kill only in defense of life, right and honor of one,
ones family and ones tribe. A man who kills one of the same tribe Ybannag will
serve and support the family of the victim for some number of years. And he may
marry the wife of his victim if the wife and children agrees.
When he kills a member of his family by his unreasonableness, some parts of his
body like his feet or hands or ears, or eyes may be removed/cut and will be asked
to leave the tribe. He is asked to never show himself again as he is considered
dead forever by the family and tribe.
3. A person must always have clean heart, clean mind, and pure intentions to be
worthy of the powers Afu Namarattu may give after death..
4. Children must respect their parents and elders all the time and be obedient even
if it is dangerous to life.
.
5. It is prohibited to steal and to feed others with what is stolen at the cost of losing
some fingers when there is persistence to continue the violation.
6. Parents select the spouses of their children during the infancy stage. The
children who owe their lives to their parents must submit to the decision of parents.
7. A husband can have many wives provided he has sufficient strength and means to
support their needs. The second wife must bow to the first wife. They may stay in
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the same house, as long as the first wife allows| and so on the third bows to the
first and second. In all cases, the first always makes the final decision. A wifeleft
by the husband may marry again a husband chosen or approved by her parents
and children.
8. If there is trouble in the neighborhood that disturbs the family they may transfer to
another vicinity of relatives and friends of the tribe, after receiving the blessings of
the elders,
9. At the early age of 3, the children must learn the different dances to perform during
the season of offering to the God for all intentions. Every family must contribute
according to his harvest. Likewise, children learn their early lessons in hunting and
fishing for offering to the.Spirit..
10. Everyone must respect the beauty of nature,the sun, the moon, the stars, the
rains, the animals for food, and the animals to guard them during the day and at
night, the rivers, the trees, and everything nature provides They must thank God
for them all. Mabballo ta Namarattu.
11. It is prohibited to disrespect the body of any dead person specially when within
ones tribe and other friendly tribes in the region at the cost of life.
12. The Ybannag is instructed to be generous and hospitable but quietly aware all
the time of possible danger, in which case he must be ready with a sharp bolo,
bow and arrow, sling, and some stones for his defense.
13. To appease some spirits who may have been offended, Allag in the form of
food or chicken is given to the spirit guarding the place by putting it under the tree
believed to be the favorite place of the Alluag. The offer may also be termed
attang Some chantings are made or repetition of words. This may be in
combination with ganza. Dancing from 10:00 pm to 2:00 am offered for healing
or other petitions is called Ganza . One or two persons trained for the purpose
beats the drum/drums and another man or more goes around the fire to the
beating of the drum/drums. Shouting and invoking the spirit for whatever petition
or desire one wishes. The sick person or petitioner is covered with blankets and
stays near the fire. Foods are then served for all.
14. One must not perform things not very necessary in the dark or the unseen may
slap your eyes and cause one blindness. Tappet tan naca na canna masingan
meaning the unseen spirit may slap your eyes
15. Whenever there are occasions, the departed must be remembered with some
foods put in the altar or an exclusive place for the purpose alone. During All Souls
day, this ritual called Tunnag or Tunnac is done in 95 % of the houses. And
during these days one is not to stand long at the door or gate less one hinders the
spirit to visit the family and give his blessings.
Offerings of food or Tunnag is considered a spiritual obligation specially in
celebrating All Souls Day Belief in the presence of the unseen one in
everything from planning of a project to execution, from morning to night; Altho
these practices are frowned by formal schools and taught as superstitious with
no scientific basis, they are still practiced and found effective.
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16. The Ybannag is aware that life is short and that one day the creator will call
him/her at the most unexpected time. So readiness to meet the creator is
emphasized in the homes. The children are taught at a young age to always
respect, follow and be obedient to the will of the creator spirit as may be seen and
read in the circumstances of life.
17. A portion of ybanag prayers to our Lady of Piat , Minattagaruli Mabbabawi ka
cari ngana maracay nu y patay caddagan na ca. ( sinner repent because death
may come by surprise). This prayer prevents the commission of many crimes and
violations.
Vl. Relation with other Original Tribes of the Region
Of all the brother tribes in the region, the Ybannags, Itawis and Malaweg may be
mistaken one for the other. Except for the language they use and that Ybannag was
usually taller and on the slim side. Their brother tribe aeta is the simplest, and the
least harmful. Aeta or Agta was only interested in hunting and stay in the forest atop
hills and mountains. A very likeable person who never wishes to disappoint. Often
times agreeing but in the end does what is in his mind.
Nevertheless, even if the Ybannag treated all his brother tribes equally with respect
and dignity, there is tacit understanding among members of the Ybannag tribe to be
ever ready when hot headed- temperamental brother tribes of the region specifically,
kalinga, Ifugao, Igorot, Yogad, Gaddang, bungkalot pass by. He must appear
generous, giving and understanding. The ybannag must be silent and meek to avoid
confrontation by staying in a place where he is not noticed. He is warned by the chief
never to provoke, but when attacked, he may kill the assailant in self defense.
During the more than 500 years, inter-marriage took place among the siblings of the
tribes and immigrants. A great majority of their springs speak Ybannag more than they
speak the other regional languages.
K or C is used in spelling. Some of the old authors of Ybanag used C and the
most recent ones use K. This writer used both. Please upload your part of the
information and your songs . God bless!
Sources of Information:
Observations and Interviews
Cagayan Valley:The Ibanag. ESTRELLA L. SUYU. Philosophy at the University of the
Philippines, Diliman. Cagayan State University, Carig, Tuguegarao, Cagayan.
Malumbres, Historia de Cagayan (Manila: Universidad de Sto.Tomas
Cagayan Valley - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cagayan_Valley Cagayan Valley (Ilocano: Tanap ti
Cagayan; Ibanag: Tana' nak Cagayan; Filipino : Lambak ng Cagayan) (designated as
Region II) is an administrative region in
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Cagayan Valley - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cagayan_Valley Cagayan Valley (Ilocano: Tanap ti
Cagayan; Ibanag: Tana' nak Cagayan; Filipino : Lambak ng Cagayan) (designated as
Region II) is an administrative region in ...
Cagayan Valley languages - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cagayan_Valley_languages The Cagayan Valley
languages are a group of languages spoken in the Philippines. They are,. Isnag;
Ibanagic: Atta, Ibanag, Itawit, Yogad; Gaddang Cagayan:
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