Cordillera

Cordillera, a name given by the Spanish Conquistadors when they first saw the mountain
ranges. Meaning "knotted rope", the Spanish term refers to the jumbled rolls and dips of this long-
range traversing the northern part of Luzon Island.
Today, if one is to generalize one of the six ethno-linguistic tribes as an "Igorot" is
considered degrading. Living amidst the rice terraces that tower over Northern Luzon
are a people whose way of life existed long before any Spaniard or other foreigners
stepped foot on the Philippines. The Bontoc, Ifugao, Benguet, Apayo, and the Kalinga
tribes reign over Luzon's mountain terrain.
The different kinds of cordillera dances are:

1. Bendayan
Origin: Benguet Province, Northern Luzon

Also popularly called Bendian, this circle dance of the Benguet of Mountain
Province is restaged, keeping true to the dance's context and meaning. Long
known as a dance to celebrate the arrival of successful headhunters, the
Bendayan has taken a new face. It is part of every Benguet festivity with the
circles slowly giving way to other formations and interpretations.

The dancers collectively move their arms in various patterns. Common pattern
formations include "pinesbekan" (outstretched arms angled so that one arm is
higher than the other), "inudiyan" (raised arms bent away from another
participant), "pinajosan" (both arms behind back), and "innabaya" (arms bent with
palms facing upward). The dancing is accompanied by gongs and drums.
Performances can last for long periods of time, and traditionally end in a war cry.

2. Manmanok
Tribe: Bago

Three Bago Tribe roosters compete against each other for the attention of Lady
Lien. They use blankets depicting colorful plumes to attract her.
3. Turayen
Tribe: Gaddang
Origin: Cagayan Valley

Gaddang comes from the word ga, meaning "heat" and dang, meaning burned".
The Gaddang live in the middle of Cagayan Valley and speak a language similar
to Ilokano. Most of them converted to Christianity, and those who live alongside
Christianized Ilokano groups have more or less adjusted to settled agriculture of
mixed crops. Small and scattered groups in southeastern Kalinga, eastern
Bontoc, and Isabela regions retain their indigenous religion and practice swidden
agriculture (the cutting back and burning of existing vegetation to produce
temporary farming plots) with supplementary hunting and fishing. In this dance,
the Gaddang imitate birds attracted to tobacco trees.

4. Lumagen/Tachok
Tribe: Kalinga
Origin: Luzon
 When the Kalinga gather to celebrate a happy occasion like the birth of a first-
born baby boy, a wedding, or a budong (peace pact), the Kalinga Festival Dance
(Tachok) is performed. This is danced by the Kalinga maiden. The dance imitates
birds flying in the air. Music is provided by gangsa, or gongs, which are usually in
a group of six or more.

5. Uyaoy / Uyauy
Tribe: Ifugao

The Ifugao people are said to be the "children of the earth." The term Ifugao is
derived from the word ipugao which literally means "coming from the earth." The
Spaniards, however, changed it to Ifugaw, a term presently used in referring not
only to these people but also to their province. This Ifugao wedding festival
dance is accompanied by gongs and is performed by the affluent to attain the
second level of the wealthy class. Wealthy people (Kadangyan) who have
performed this dance are entitled to the use of gongs at their death.