Apayao region

Say-am
Tribe: Isnag
Origin: Apayao

Introduction
Say-am Festival of Apayao which is celebrated every February 14th. It is in
celebration of the founding anniversary of the province and Isnag’s grandest feast
or celebration A feast featuring and ushering the traditional way of Isnag’s
thanksgiving to the Higher Supreme unseen being called “ALAWAGAN”
executed and commenced through rituals spiced with pep songs, native chants and
dances called the “TALIP and TAD-DO”.

History
The holding and celebration of Say-am in the older days connotes status – that the
family is respectable and well-to-do. The festival highlights the Agro-Tourism and
trade fair which showcase the different products and beauty of natures of Apayao,
Isnag. Indigenous games, Sports, Street dancing and the Search for Miss Dayag ti
Apayao which showcase the Beautiful and intelligent Ladies of Apayao.

During the ancient times, before the arrival of the Spaniards, the natives of the
place were pagans, their culture and norms were guided by their deities (an-anitos)
and some practice idolatry worshipping the mountains, rivers, trees, animals and
other forms of nature. It was in 1607 when Catholicism was introduced in the place
brought about by the Spanish Dominican Missionaries sent by Father Gabriel
Quiroga. The persistence and determination of the missionaries created a friction
between them and the natives but in order to proliferate Christianity, the priests
established a Catholic Church in a place now called Emilia, the first house of God
ever built in the entire province. Upon the completion of the church, the golden
bell in the church tower was rung for the first time to signal the first mass.
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SAY-AM FESTIVAL: APAYAO IPASINDAYAW by cris bulacan (prezi.com)

Say am Festival 2020 • Amianan Balita Ngayon

Colorful Festivals in Apayao | Travel to the Philippines

Bumayah
Tribe: Ifugao
Origin: Apayao

Introduction
The Bumayah is an Ifugao dance of thanksgiving to the god Kabunian. In this
dance, performed by both men and women, the movements mimic those of a
rooster scratching the ground. This joyful dance serves as a prayer of thanksgiving
for a bountiful rice harvest.

History
Imbayah came from the word “Bayah,” meaning rice wine. “Bumayah” or
“Imbuyah” implies abundance, the overflowing wine from their heirloom jars and
a feast set for mortals and gods. Imbayahs were originally performed by the Elite
Ifugao’s back in the old times.
Imbayah is held to promote preservation of the Ifugao cultural identity and
heritage. Incidentally, Banaue has been conferred as a UNESCO World Heritage
Site in 1995. The festival also aims to foster exchange among the Ifugao’s, its
lowland brothers and foreign as well as domestic tourists.
It projects the true character and spirit of the Ifugao as reflected in his arts, songs,
dances, and games and hopefully results in greater appreciation and recognition of
exotic and great people. It also promotes tourism development and draws attention
to the socio-economic needs in the area and of the populace.
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During the celebrations, villagers wear their ethnic dress or traditional wear. Ladies
wear “tapis” (skirt) and they put on jewelries and accessories, while the chieftain
wears the traditional G-string with his headgear and other paraphernalia. In the
feast, you can see lots of tribal groups and hear native songs mingling with the air
of merry-making and the beating of ancient gongs, while people around are
dancing enthusiastically. At night, the whole community gather to dance, sing and
listen to stories.

Bumayah | Dance | Classes | Events | Contest | Philippines (dancepinoy.com)

A Thanksgiving for the Bountiful Rice Harvest in Imbayah Festival (vigattintourism.com)

Intaneg (Uyaoy)
Tribe: Ifugao
Origin: Apayao

Introduction:
Uyaoy Dance is an Ifugao wedding festival dance accompanied by gongs and is
performed by the affluent to attain the second level of the wealthy class. Wealthy
people who have performed this dance are entitled to the use of gongs at their
death.

History
The uyaoy has particular steps learned from ancestors. An uyaoy is composed of
half the men and half the women dancing till the wee hours of the night. Ifugao
myth recounts that Rabunyan, the creator-god made man to be strong and virile,
the same qualities displayed by Ifugao men or they spread their arms to imitate the
sakpaya.
When the canao is for a wedding, it is called Intaneg. When it is to propitiate the
gods to watch over crops and ensure a good harvest or to mark life’s milestone like
the birth of a male child, success in war, the death of a prominent villager and the
general well-being of the community, it is called Imbajah or bumajah.

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