Dances of 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 “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. They are pagan people, living simple lives to appease their
gods. Their rituals celebrate their daily lives - a good harvest, health, peace, war, and
other symbols of living. Such traditions have survived the changing scope of the
Philippines and the tribes continue to maintain their cultures that are a part of the
colorful cultural fabric known as Philippine culture.

Banga Tribe:

Kalinga "Banga" literally mean pots. The Banga or pot dance is a contemporary
performance of Kalinga of the Mountain Province in the Philippines. This dance
illustrates the languid grace of a tribe otherwise known as fierce warriors. Heavy
earthen pots, as many as seven or eight at a time, are balanced on the heads of
maidens as they trudge to the beat of the "gangsa" or wind chimes displaying their
stamina and strength as they go about their daily task of fetching water and balancing
the banga.
 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.