Ritual Life of the Igorots of Sagada,from Birth to

Adolescence

Sagadans main occupation is growing rice, agriculture remains the main

source of livelihood, and the majority of people still consume food that was raised
locally. They also have two territorial units Dagdag and Demang, which are
further subdivided into wards, and these ward consist of 15-60 households, this
wards are occupied by nuclear families. There are no central government,
disputes are settled by the older male member of each ward. This ward also
consist of schools, men leave their wards to contribute to their societies under old
men.

Theses people also has their own beliefs regarding to pregnancy, one of the
belief was that when the cravings of pregnancy begins, the husband must not fell
trees. The man may not build stone walls, If he fell trees or build stone walls, the
child might die immediately according to their beliefs.

They also believe that if a women dies in childbirth, the whole village must
remain in the town for two days, without going to the fields, this is called Te-e. On
the third day, people can go out to collect wood and to work in the forest but not
in the rice and camote fields.

The newborn infant is called engnga which means baby. On the fourth day
ritual called Gobbaw is performed, during which the child is given name.

These people has also their prayer which is called Gobbaw Prayer which
includes a brief summary of the events involved in the ritual and a request for
freedom from sickness, sufficient milk and rice gruel for the child, and a long life.
After the Gobbaw ritual has been performed, whn the child is sleeping, the father
carries him to a place opposite the spring at Todey and says.”Let us talk to the
comfortable water of Todey; let us be comfortable as it is”. When they return, the
Tagtag prayer is said, this is for the chid so that will not be nervous nor easily
frightened.

During training and adolescence, a boy is introduced to the dap-ay by being

carried by his father or grandfather, in myth this blanket sling is symbol of
security. Children wore no clothing until the time they joined the dap-ay or
ebgan. Children age six or seven learned their task by accompanying their parents
to the fields. The children seven to eight began to ashamed sleeping at home with
their parents.

These people also know how to enjoy and have fun, these can be seen thru
their games like da-ayet, dangpil, sangdol, dama, and sinogio. But the most
important “game” was the annual bowag, which took place between the two
geographical divisions of Sagada-Dagdag and Demang – and corresponds to the
better known bagbagto or rock fight, between Bontoc and Samoki.

At about same age as boys, small girls would leave their own home to go to
the ebgan, this is separate structure like the Bontok olag. Later, the ebgan is
influence by the Spanish culture and was shifted to widow’s house. Most of their
training was in economic and household duties came in their daily activities in
home and field. The function of the ebgan was primarily to provode training in
ourtship and preparation for marriage.