From a historical standpoint, the people of the Cordilleras were never a united people and still to this

day there are peace pacts in place to keep order among many of the tribes. The term Igorot is an old
Tagalog word meaning “people from the mountains” and is a general term used to include all of the
mountain tribes from the Cordilleras. The Spanish adopted this term, but it was generally used in a
negative manner referring to savages and backward people of the mountains. However, the Spanish
themselves were never able to fully penetrate the Cordilleras during their 300 year colonial period in the
Philippines and thus had very little influence on the Igorot people and their way of life. Part of this was
likely due to the rugged terrain of the area but also because of the fierce nature of the people, who
would not surrender easily to outsiders. It wasn’t until the early 1900’s when the American Episcopal
church came into some areas of the Cordilleras and people started to convert to Christianity and get
formal education.

Today, the term Igorot is often debated among the people of the Cordilleras as to what the politically
correct use should be. Many groups now proudly proclaim themselves as Igorots while other tribes still
prefer to be called by their more specific tribal names. After three weeks in the area and hearing time
and time again people referring to themselves as Igorots I never got the feeling that it is a negative term
to use. I refer to the Igorot people in the most honorable and respectful manner.

Traditional loom weaving provides livelihoods for a number of different communities within the
Cordilleras. This is a Kalinga woman in her home where she spends her days making different patterns
on her wooden loom. The finished products may be sold locally or sent to Baguio.

One of the unique aspects of life in the Cordilleras is that the Igorot people are essentially a self-
contained society running all aspects of life from businesses to politics. Unlike many of the other tribes
or indigenous communities in the country who have been extremely marginalized and pushed to small
pieces of their original land, the Igorot people, generally have maintained much of their land. There are
always ongoing issues with regards to ancestral domain, and from what I have been told the process to
actually get declared ancestral domain is almost unimaginable. However, the Igorot people have
managed to maintain much of their land excluding outsiders or lowlanders from coming in and setting
up shop. This has essentially allowed all development to generate from the people themselves.

PEOPLE OF THE MOUNTAINS – IGOROTS OF THE CORDILLERAS

Cordillera Mountains, Luzon, Philippines

Three weeks in the Cordilleras of Luzon and I feel like I have only scratched the surface of experiencing
the rich cultures that make up the Igorot people. This is a common trend I have experienced while
working on the Katutubong Filipino Project and one reason I hope to extended the project longer term,
perhaps for another three years. More time is needed. This is especially true when trying to tell the story
of the Igorot people who live in six different provinces with over 20 tribes all speaking different
languages, practicing different rituals, and have different beliefs and cultures. Visiting the Cordilleras
was like stepping into another country for me, a drastic change in geography and people’s general
positive outlook and attitude toward their own way of life. Although I wasn’t able to visit all six
provinces that make up the Cordilleras, this trip did provide as an excellent introduction to the area and
whetted my appetite to learn and experience more on a return trip.

Butbut Kalinga Woman

A Butbut Kalinga Woman looking out of her window one afternoon after inviting us into her home. The
tattoos on her arms are used as a form of beautification and identity which is specific to certain Kalinga
tribes.

Cordillera Mountains in Luzon

The majestic Cordillera mountains with clouds setting in, Abra Province.

From a historical standpoint, the people of the Cordilleras were never a united people and still to this
day there are peace pacts in place to keep order among many of the tribes. The term Igorot is an old
Tagalog word meaning “people from the mountains” and is a general term used to include all of the
mountain tribes from the Cordilleras. The Spanish adopted this term, but it was generally used in a
negative manner referring to savages and backward people of the mountains. However, the Spanish
themselves were never able to fully penetrate the Cordilleras during their 300 year colonial period in the
Philippines and thus had very little influence on the Igorot people and their way of life. Part of this was
likely due to the rugged terrain of the area but also because of the fierce nature of the people, who
would not surrender easily to outsiders. It wasn’t until the early 1900’s when the American Episcopal
church came into some areas of the Cordilleras and people started to convert to Christianity and get
formal education.

Today, the term Igorot is often debated among the people of the Cordilleras as to what the politically
correct use should be. Many groups now proudly proclaim themselves as Igorots while other tribes still
prefer to be called by their more specific tribal names. After three weeks in the area and hearing time
and time again people referring to themselves as Igorots I never got the feeling that it is a negative term
to use. I refer to the Igorot people in the most honorable and respectful manner.

Lakay Lausan - Tingguian Man Lakay Wa-aw - Kankanaey Man

Portraits of Lakay Lausan a Tingguian man and Lakay Wa-aw a Kankanaey man. Lakay Lausan is one of
the elders in a small village we visited in Abra province. Lakay Wa-aw is one of the older Kankanaey men
still around and at 92 he has nine children and over 30 grandchildren. The two water buffalo horns
above him are from two of his children’s weddings. His necklace is centuries old and has been passed
down from generation to generation. It is made of wild bore tusks and crocodile teeth from the Visayas.

Traditional Loom Weaving

Traditional loom weaving provides livelihoods for a number of different communities within the
Cordilleras. This is a Kalinga woman in her home where she spends her days making different patterns
on her wooden loom. The finished products may be sold locally or sent to Baguio.

One of the unique aspects of life in the Cordilleras is that the Igorot people are essentially a self-
contained society running all aspects of life from businesses to politics. Unlike many of the other tribes
or indigenous communities in the country who have been extremely marginalized and pushed to small
pieces of their original land, the Igorot people, generally have maintained much of their land. There are
always ongoing issues with regards to ancestral domain, and from what I have been told the process to
actually get declared ancestral domain is almost unimaginable. However, the Igorot people have
managed to maintain much of their land excluding outsiders or lowlanders from coming in and setting
up shop. This has essentially allowed all development to generate from the people themselves.

Checking Beehives

Allan, a well-known man from Sagada, Mountain Province, checking his beehives. He harvests the
mountain honey and sells his product primarily to visitors staying at his lodging house or passing
through his restaurant. All businesses in Sagada are locally owned and run by Igorot people.

Hiking in the Cordilleras

With the increase of tourism in the Cordilleras, some local and foreign tourists are looking to find more
adventurous hiking treks in the extremely beautiful mountains. Sagada in the Mountain Province in
particular is often overwhelmed with people visiting that there are not enough rooms for visitors,
especially during holidays. I had to sleep with the cook from the lodging house I was staying for one
evening because all the rooms were full with a large tour group. However, most visitors only stay for a
couple of days exploring the caves and other attractions closer to Sagada. Local guides and porters (such
as shown in this photo) rely on tourism and are very knowledgeable about the area.

Sagada Pottery
Local tourists from Manila watch as Siegrid from Sagada Pottery shows them how to create a clay jar. All
the clay used here is local and Siegrid is very passionate about her artwork. Sagada Pottery is one of
many businesses/products people visiting the area come to see.

Local tourists from Manila watch as Siegrid from Sagada Pottery shows them how to create a clay jar. All
the clay used here is local and Siegrid is very passionate about her artwork. Sagada Pottery is one of
many businesses/products people visiting the area come to see.

Seeing life in Sagada and other city centers in the Cordilleras being completely run and shaped by locals
was really very inspiring to see. I can’t think of another place off hand where this same type of system is
in place. It shouldn’t be a surprise though seeing that the Igorot people were able to keep the Spanish
away for over 300 years. In more recent times, they were also able to rise up and keep President Marcos
from building a huge dam on the Chico River in the late 70’s and early 80’s. If the damn had been built it
would have displaced a large number of communities and their rice fields. The people were able to join
forces with the communist rebels and stop the damn from being built. Today, there is a plan to put a
number of windmills around Sagada and the people are highly skeptical of the plan and the feasibility
behind it. I don’t think the plans will push through because the people will not allow it too, one way or
the other. It’s cases like this that show the true resolve of the people and how maintaining what is theirs
is of vital importance to them.

Away from the city centers life is a little more slow pace with a big portion of time spent farming,
preparing food, and tending to the house and family. I was fortunate enough to visit a number of
different communities on this trip including one that took two days of rugged hiking to reach. The hike
through the mountains was one of the hardest hikes I have done in recent memory, but was worth
every step being able to experience mountain life and a community still very much isolated in terms of
distance.Much of the culture and life in the Cordilleras revolves around rice. From planting to harvest
each period represents a time that is honored and sacred in its own way. My trip happened to be during
a growing period and I was not able to see a lot of people planting or harvesting rice. There is always
some activity though as weeding, keeping birds away, drying harvested rice and other tasks are ongoing.
Rice is the staple crop for the Igorots and they have built some of the biggest and most advance rice
terraces in the world. Traveling through the Cordilleras you will see some amazing terraces that have
been around for millennium. To this day many of the tribes still practice thanksgiving rituals before
planting and at harvest time. The Begnas ritual for the Kankanaey and the Bumayah for the Ifugao
people are two examples of this. These rituals are usually put together very fast and are never
scheduled, so witnessing one takes some patience and timing. Perhaps on my next visit I will be able to
witness one.

PEOPLE OF THE MOUNTAINS – IGOROTS OF THE CORDILLERAS

Cordillera Mountains, Luzon, Philippines

Three weeks in the Cordilleras of Luzon and I feel like I have only scratched the surface of experiencing
the rich cultures that make up the Igorot people. This is a common trend I have experienced while
working on the Katutubong Filipino Project and one reason I hope to extended the project longer term,
perhaps for another three years. More time is needed. This is especially true when trying to tell the story
of the Igorot people who live in six different provinces with over 20 tribes all speaking different
languages, practicing different rituals, and have different beliefs and cultures. Visiting the Cordilleras
was like stepping into another country for me, a drastic change in geography and people’s general
positive outlook and attitude toward their own way of life. Although I wasn’t able to visit all six
provinces that make up the Cordilleras, this trip did provide as an excellent introduction to the area and
whetted my appetite to learn and experience more on a return trip.

Butbut Kalinga Woman

A Butbut Kalinga Woman looking out of her window one afternoon after inviting us into her home. The
tattoos on her arms are used as a form of beautification and identity which is specific to certain Kalinga
tribes.

Cordillera Mountains in Luzon

The majestic Cordillera mountains with clouds setting in, Abra Province.

From a historical standpoint, the people of the Cordilleras were never a united people and still to this
day there are peace pacts in place to keep order among many of the tribes. The term Igorot is an old
Tagalog word meaning “people from the mountains” and is a general term used to include all of the
mountain tribes from the Cordilleras. The Spanish adopted this term, but it was generally used in a
negative manner referring to savages and backward people of the mountains. However, the Spanish
themselves were never able to fully penetrate the Cordilleras during their 300 year colonial period in the
Philippines and thus had very little influence on the Igorot people and their way of life. Part of this was
likely due to the rugged terrain of the area but also because of the fierce nature of the people, who
would not surrender easily to outsiders. It wasn’t until the early 1900’s when the American Episcopal
church came into some areas of the Cordilleras and people started to convert to Christianity and get
formal education.

Today, the term Igorot is often debated among the people of the Cordilleras as to what the politically
correct use should be. Many groups now proudly proclaim themselves as Igorots while other tribes still
prefer to be called by their more specific tribal names. After three weeks in the area and hearing time
and time again people referring to themselves as Igorots I never got the feeling that it is a negative term
to use. I refer to the Igorot people in the most honorable and respectful manner.

Lakay Lausan - Tingguian Man Lakay Wa-aw - Kankanaey Man

Portraits of Lakay Lausan a Tingguian man and Lakay Wa-aw a Kankanaey man. Lakay Lausan is one of
the elders in a small village we visited in Abra province. Lakay Wa-aw is one of the older Kankanaey men
still around and at 92 he has nine children and over 30 grandchildren. The two water buffalo horns
above him are from two of his children’s weddings. His necklace is centuries old and has been passed
down from generation to generation. It is made of wild bore tusks and crocodile teeth from the Visayas.

Traditional Loom Weaving

Traditional loom weaving provides livelihoods for a number of different communities within the
Cordilleras. This is a Kalinga woman in her home where she spends her days making different patterns
on her wooden loom. The finished products may be sold locally or sent to Baguio.

One of the unique aspects of life in the Cordilleras is that the Igorot people are essentially a self-
contained society running all aspects of life from businesses to politics. Unlike many of the other tribes
or indigenous communities in the country who have been extremely marginalized and pushed to small
pieces of their original land, the Igorot people, generally have maintained much of their land. There are
always ongoing issues with regards to ancestral domain, and from what I have been told the process to
actually get declared ancestral domain is almost unimaginable. However, the Igorot people have
managed to maintain much of their land excluding outsiders or lowlanders from coming in and setting
up shop. This has essentially allowed all development to generate from the people themselves.

Checking Beehives

Allan, a well-known man from Sagada, Mountain Province, checking his beehives. He harvests the
mountain honey and sells his product primarily to visitors staying at his lodging house or passing
through his restaurant. All businesses in Sagada are locally owned and run by Igorot people.

Hiking in the Cordilleras

With the increase of tourism in the Cordilleras, some local and foreign tourists are looking to find more
adventurous hiking treks in the extremely beautiful mountains. Sagada in the Mountain Province in
particular is often overwhelmed with people visiting that there are not enough rooms for visitors,
especially during holidays. I had to sleep with the cook from the lodging house I was staying for one
evening because all the rooms were full with a large tour group. However, most visitors only stay for a
couple of days exploring the caves and other attractions closer to Sagada. Local guides and porters (such
as shown in this photo) rely on tourism and are very knowledgeable about the area.

Sagada Pottery

Local tourists from Manila watch as Siegrid from Sagada Pottery shows them how to create a clay jar. All
the clay used here is local and Siegrid is very passionate about her artwork. Sagada Pottery is one of
many businesses/products people visiting the area come to see.

Seeing life in Sagada and other city centers in the Cordilleras being completely run and shaped by locals
was really very inspiring to see. I can’t think of another place off hand where this same type of system is
in place. It shouldn’t be a surprise though seeing that the Igorot people were able to keep the Spanish
away for over 300 years. In more recent times, they were also able to rise up and keep President Marcos
from building a huge dam on the Chico River in the late 70’s and early 80’s. If the damn had been built it
would have displaced a large number of communities and their rice fields. The people were able to join
forces with the communist rebels and stop the damn from being built. Today, there is a plan to put a
number of windmills around Sagada and the people are highly skeptical of the plan and the feasibility
behind it. I don’t think the plans will push through because the people will not allow it too, one way or
the other. It’s cases like this that show the true resolve of the people and how maintaining what is theirs
is of vital importance to them.

Away from the city centers life is a little more slow pace with a big portion of time spent farming,
preparing food, and tending to the house and family. I was fortunate enough to visit a number of
different communities on this trip including one that took two days of rugged hiking to reach. The hike
through the mountains was one of the hardest hikes I have done in recent memory, but was worth
every step being able to experience mountain life and a community still very much isolated in terms of
distance.

Fixing Pig Pen

A Kalinga man fixing his pig pen, Kalinga Province. Pigs are an important part of life in the Cordilleras,
providing a food source and used for a number of different rituals as well. In some communities I think
there were more pigs walking around than people.
Preparing Beans

A Kalinga couple preparing beans for dinner in their home, Kalinga Province.

Meal Time in Cordilleras

Eating and socializing is an important time each day for people to talk and build relationships. After
eating the men will generally have a few drinks together and the women will continue cleaning up after
the meal. Most of our meals were cooked over an open fire and pitch pine (an oily part of the pine tree)
is used for light at night instead of kerosene lamps. My most memorable meal on this trip consisted of
wild mushroom soup, fresh green ferns, freshly picked avocados, green mangoes with hot pepper salt,
and mongo bean and pork soup.

Tingguian Igorot woman in her home

Portrait of a Tingguian woman having a smoke in her home, Abra Province.

Much of the culture and life in the Cordilleras revolves around rice. From planting to harvest each period
represents a time that is honored and sacred in its own way. My trip happened to be during a growing
period and I was not able to see a lot of people planting or harvesting rice. There is always some activity
though as weeding, keeping birds away, drying harvested rice and other tasks are ongoing. Rice is the
staple crop for the Igorots and they have built some of the biggest and most advance rice terraces in the
world. Traveling through the Cordilleras you will see some amazing terraces that have been around for
millennium. To this day many of the tribes still practice thanksgiving rituals before planting and at
harvest time. The Begnas ritual for the Kankanaey and the Bumayah for the Ifugao people are two
examples of this. These rituals are usually put together very fast and are never scheduled, so witnessing
one takes some patience and timing. Perhaps on my next visit I will be able to witness one.

Planting Rice on Stoned Terraces

Although uncommon for this time of year, I came across a woman planting rice one morning in Kalinga
Province. Stoned rice terraces are very common in the Cordilleras and represent an ancient and
sustainable system for communal rice production.

Aside from rice cultivation there are numerous agricultural products grown in the Cordilleras because of
the altitude and cool temperature. Coffee is a popular product and most households drink a good
amount of the stuff. It wasn’t uncommon to have about 10 cups of coffee a day, but it sure beats the
instant coffee I usually drink when out in the field. Vegetables and other produce are grown in
abundance and many of them are brought to the lowlands to be sold. Likewise, the forest and
mountains themselves are also an important resource for the Igorot people. Hunting and fishing are
important parts of culture in the Cordilleras and is often learned at at early age. During my long trek into
the mountains I was able to experience a little of this life myself. The Cordilleras have an unique
assortment of habitats that cover the mountains. While hiking you can find yourself in a dry pine forest
one minute and then a kilometer down the path entering a wet mossy forest. Eventually you will run
into a grassy mountain top or some rices terraces along the way as well. This is a pine forest just after a
light rain came down in Abra province.

The forest still provides an abundant source of wild meat for many families. Wild pigs, deer and birds are
still commonly caught by hunters. We spent a couple of nights in the forest at different hunter camps
and even ran into a wild pig while hiking (unfortunately my guide did not have a gun on him). Here is a
collection of wild pig skulls all caught by La-aw who is shown in one of the picture below.

Two Tingguian men. Marlon is an expert fisherman and La-aw is a mountain man with a lifetime of
hunting experience.

Wild mushrooms like this one are abundant in the forest, especially the morning after a heavy rain. My
guide was constantly picking different varieties for our meals. The forest is full of different food from
mushrooms to wild berries and edible ants.

Hunting dogs are an important part of getting wild pig, deer and birds. Without a trained dog it would be
very difficult to find anything. These particular guns are owned by a few young hunters we came across
in the forest. We ended up hiking with them for awhile and one of their guns misfired while walking.
Fortunately, no one was hurt but it was a scary situation and everyone was very lucky. I was behind
them about 50 meters on the trail when I heard the gun go off. When we got to the top of the mountain
we had them unload all of their guns.

My visit happened to fall during summer time which is one of the wedding seasons in the Cordilleras.
Wedding season really means there are a lot of weddings to attend. I thought it may be hard to find one
to document, but the day I arrived there was one being prepared for that I was able to visit. The
following weekend there were two more. Most of the traditional wedding celebrations in the Cordilleras
now integrate a Christian church ceremony as well as the tribal ceremony and rituals. Most traditional
weddings last for two to three days and everyone in the community is invited to attend and eat. I have
never seen so many pigs killed before all at one time in preparation for an event.

Wedding preparation

Kankanaey women cutting and preparing vegetables for a traditional wedding. The whole community is
invited to the three day celebration which means a lot of food must be prepared.
Men distributing meat

Men distributing meat to all of the people who helped cook and prepare the wedding food. As a token
for their help different size chunks of meat are given out depending on what the persons role was during
the preparation (in addition to being fed). I was even given two bags of meat for being there, apparently
photographers have an important role as well. I saw more than 20 pigs killed and a carabao (water
buffalo) just to give you an idea of the amount of food being prepared and I wasn’t there the whole
time.

Kankanaey Church Wedding

Many couples now also have a church ceremony as did the couple for this wedding. The ceremony at
the Episcopal church was like any other church wedding with all of the traditional tribal aspects
happening before or after this ceremony. Each community has different traditional ways of making two
people united which are still practiced. Much of this has to do with uniting two families or clans together
over time and involves a variety of different food exchanges, animal sacrifices and rituals. For example, I
heard that in one particular community (as a final step to unite families) when a woman sleeps over at
her mans family’s house and does the dishes in the morning it means the couple is officially married.

Waiting in line

People waiting in a long line to visit the home of the bride during lunch time. Everyone from the
community is invited to come and get food at the brides home for three days straight. Wedding
gatherings are some of the bigger social events held for the Igorot people.

Cooking in Large Woks

All of the food is cooked in large woks over an open fire. This wedding had four woks which were always
full of different recipes being cooked.

Giving money

Part of the practice for the Kankanaey is that all the guests who come and partake in the celebration and
eat should give a small amount of money to the couple. Once you give something your name is written
down in a notebook, your money placed in a large basket and you are given a token of appreciation. This
couple was giving out small wooden bowls as their token.
Playing Gongs (Ganza)

Playing of gongs (Ganza) and dancing is a fun and typical part of the wedding celebration. Any group of
people can pick up the gongs and get a dance going and it is all very spontaneous. The elders all they
way to the youth enjoy playing the gongs and dancing.