Culture and Practices: The

Kalinga Ethos
There are so many cultures and practices that seem unusual in the province
of Kalinga. Some ethos that the local tribes molded of what they are now. It
still exists and difficult to break down the beliefs despite the changes in the
modern world. The old practices had been preserved and continued to pass
on from one generation to another.

Bain
It was interpreted as “feeling shame.” The act of showing respect to other
people as a fellow human being. It has a similar meaning to the virtue
espoused by the saying of Confucius: “Do not do unto others if you would not
like others to do unto you.”

Ngilin
It is strict adherence to taboos regarding social and economic activities. It also
involves compliance with certain rituals to protect oneself and the members of
the family from illness or harm. It dictates avoidance to what is offensive to
“kabunyan” or Kalinga god to one’s own kind. “Mangngilin ka” means avoid
doing evil is a common advice of the elders.

Paniyaw
The Kalinga people believe in a god called “kabunyan” who is the creator of all
things and the master of life and death. “Mampaniyao” is the restriction on
oneself acts looked upon as degrading, immoral and punishable by the mighty
“kabunyan.” The Klaingas strongly abhor wicked acts such as “Ba-ug” (the
killing of a stranger in the village where he has been given food to eat or water
to drink).

Aawao
It is a very degrading and shameful actuation of a person. “Akaw” or theft
leaves are more or less permanent stigma on the personality of the culprit and
upon the repulsion of his family. A thief who stole animals such as pigs,
carabaos or dogs will have bad luck and can never have it in the future. Most
of the crops will never be of good quality.

Sug-sug
This act is considered wicked, inciting a person against another when there is
an existence of misunderstanding between two parties. It can be a situation
whereby the clan against another with trivial differences.

Dagdagas
It pertains to the relationship between a man and woman without the intention
of getting married. It sounds like happening in the modern society. However,
this is not considered evil and dishonorable within the context of Kalinga
society. It doesn’t apply to a married man and woman. The punishment is the
frequent death of one’s children.

Apos
It can be termed as envy in the English language. Being maliciously envious
on the other people such as cursing them evil to have failures in prosperity. In
short, they are cursing a person not to prosper whatever ventures he or she
wanted to try.
Chatum
The old practice had been lost in the modern society. “Chatum” is a festivity
by which a young warrior accepted to be brave after participating in a bloody
man-to-man combat.

Pattong
The “pattong” consists of six or more men beating the “gangsa” or gongs in
unison to produce rhythmic sound and dance in a semi-circular formation. The
young and old females dance freely in front of the men while beating the
gongs. The beating of the gong refers to “pattong” and the act of dancing
refers to “tadok.”

Tupayya
“Tupayya” is a wedding festival. Six or more men are kneeling down with the
gongs suspended upon their laps. With the open palm of both hands, they
beat the gongs in unison to produce peculiar rhythmic sounds. By the usage
of “allap”, a piece of brightly colored cloth; a pair of female and male were
designated to dance and act of picking the dancers are called “mangallap.”

Salidummay, Dan-dannag or Sus-suray

These are songs composed extemporaneously with melodies differ from one
tribe to another. It expresses jubilation and a way of communication by young
and old local tribes.