Apayao is a landlocked province in the Philippines' Cordillera Administrative

Region. Its capital is the Municipality of Kabugao. Apayao province has five
indigenous tribes, the Isneg, Ibanag, Gaddang, Malaweg, and Dumagat. Apayao,
derived from the Isnag dialect meaning 'river' or 'large body of water,' is a life-giving
source for its people and neighboring provinces. Located in the northernmost part of
the Cordillera Administrative Region, Apayao spans a vast land area of 4,502.33
square kilometers or 1,738.36 square miles. The province comprises 7 municipalities:
Calanasan, Conner, Flora, Kabugao, Luna, Pudtol, and Santa Marcela, encompassing
133 barangays. Apayao is geographically divided into two regions: Upper Apayao and
Lower Apayao. Upper Apayao consists of Kabugao, Conner, and Calanasan, covering
67.2% of the province's total land area. This region is characterized by its majestic
mountainous terrain, marked by towering peaks, plateaus, and intermittent valleys. In
contrast, Lower Apayao, comprising Flora, Luna, Pudtol, and Sta. Marcela, accounts
for 32.8% of the land area and features a predominantly flat landscape with rolling
mountains and plateaus.

In Apayao province, the Isnags are the dominant ethnic minority. They are a
small ethnolinguistic group living in the mountains of Apayao who have never been
subdued during the nearly 350 years of Spanish rule. They live in riverside
settlements but travel up the hills to tend their farms at certain times of the year.
Upland agriculture is their primary source of income, and the majority of them settle
in their kaingin areas during the planting season. The primary languages spoken in the
region include Isneg (also known as Isnag), Kalinga, Ibanag, and Ilocano. The Isneg
language, also known as Isneg or Maragat, is a Philippine language predominantly
spoken in the Cordillera Administrative Region in the northern Luzon region of the
Philippines. It is primarily spoken in parts of Apayao, Cagayan, Abra, and Ilocos
Norte Provinces. The language holds cultural significance for the Isneg people and is
crucial in preserving their linguistic heritage. Republic Act No. 4965, which was
signed into law on June 18, 1966, divided the vast Mountain Province into four. The
four provinces involved were Benguet, Bontoc (renamed Mountain Province),
Kalinga-Apayao, and Ifugao. In 1972, Kalinga-Apayao and Ifugao were added to the
Cagayan Valley provinces. The Cordillera Administrative Region was established on
July 15, 1987, and Kalinga-Apayao was divided into two independent provinces
through the passage of Republic Act No. 7878. They were performing the "Say-am"
for the Iyapayaos to commemorate the split of the two provinces.

In Apayao province, the Isnags are the dominant ethnic minority. They are a
small ethnolinguistic group living in the mountains of Apayao who have never been
subdued during the nearly 350 years of Spanish rule. They live in riverside
settlements but travel up the hills to tend their farms at certain times of the year.
Upland agriculture is their primary source of income, and the majority of them settle
in their kaingin areas during the planting season. The Isneg's main staple is rice,
which they have traditionally grown in abundance. This is produced through
slash-and-burn agriculture. Except for the occasional drought or pest infestation, there
has always been a surplus each year. Their primary source of sustenance is dry rice
cultivation, which is well suited to Apayao's semi-mountainous and tropical,
vegetated terrain. This is what makes them similar to the Kalinga, Gaddang, and
Bugkalot (Ilongot). During times of low harvests, they would trade their locally made
products, such as hats, baskets, and pots, with people from other areas for rice. Aside
from rice, other crops grown include corn, taro, sweet potatoes, sugarcane for basi
(sugarcane wine), bananas, yams, and fruit orchards. Since the 1960s, Apayao has
relied heavily on tobacco and coffee as its main crops. Binuan's tanap (riverside
plains) are well-known for producing high-quality tobacco.
As part of their cultural practices, Hunting of wild animals, fishing, and
gathering of forest products are done seasonally. They sell the pigs and chickens
during emergencies like having to pay the tuition of children and health emergencies.
Dogs and buffalo on the other hand are raised to serve as their help in the farms and
hunting. For the conservation of their resources, the Lapat system is implemented by
the Isneg and Tinggunian people of Apayao Province. The “Lapat” is a system of
regulating the use of natural resources among its upland tribes and is passed on from
generation to generation since time immemorial. The declaration of forest areas under
lapat enables natural recovery of the forest from earlier anthropogenic disturbances
allowing trees and other plants to regenerate and wildlife to reproduce. Because of
this practice, they can sustainably manage their natural resources and continue to
obtain benefits for them and future generations.

In Apayao, various festivals and rituals are celebrated to showcase the rich
culture and traditions of the region. The Say-am Festival is a cultural festival and
founding anniversary celebration in the Philippine province of Apayao that takes
place every February 14. It usually begins on the first of February and concludes on
the 14th of the month, which is the date the province was established. The say-am
ceremony is performed as a cleansing ritual, if hosted by those who went for a period
of mourning. At this point, the plants that were considered taboo by mourners during
the mourning period could be harvested and eaten. The prayers support the Biblical
phrase that there is a time for everything. While mourning, there is an end to it. A
wealthy Isnag could also host a Say-am ceremony as a form of thanksgiving. It is
highlighted with thanksgiving prayers, as evidenced by the prayers' messages. For this
reason, the say-am emphasizes the importance of sharing one's blessings. The host
believes that sharing gains a thousandfold rewards, or that the more one shares, the
more blessed she is.The say-am is celebrated with dancing, reciting or chanting a
prayer, eating, and wine drinking. Large animals like cattle and pigs are butchered for
this purpose. The Pildap is a community ritual akin to the more elaborate Say-am
ceremony but generally involves simpler offerings, such as smaller animals like
chickens or dogs. Pildap serves various purposes, including celebrating significant life
events, healing the sick, or expressing gratitude. It allows families to request prayers
for health, abundance, and community support, especially during agricultural
activities. Both the Say-am and Pildap ceremonies highlight the importance of
community bonding, as they are occasions for sharing food, dancing, and reinforcing
social ties. Through these rituals, the Mallods acknowledge the divine, express
gratitude for resources, and foster unity among their people.

The Isnag marriage ceremony includes liturgical rites that protect not only the
contracting parties and their relatives, but also the community, as norms and sanctions
guide this institution. The woman's side of a marriage benefits financially, but at the
expense of her breaking off ties with her family and the man losing property in
exchange for accepting a new family member. However, because they begin life with
a zero foundation, newlyweds demonstrate that they are on the line of barter. Marriage
relationships are morally and socially based on harmony; thus, penalties are imposed
on the collective pressure for preserving harmony and peace at the expense of the man
and woman. The formation of the Isneg family begins with the rites of courtship. The
girl’s parents allow this to take place in their house, in their presence. If the suitor has
become acceptable to the girl’s parents and to her, he may be allowed to sleep with
her. This may last for several nights, and it is likely that a sexual relationship takes
place, after which the couple’s parents engage in the manadug or discussion of terms
of marriage. The arrangement is called agyan ya lalaki if it is decided that the couple
should live with the parents of the woman, gimanlid if with those of the man, and
dinoyan if with both sets of parents alternately. Recent years have shown, though, that
young Isneg couples prefer sumang nga balay (independent residence). The Isneg
woman traditionally gives birth in a kneeling position, using a mushroom as a
talisman to ensure a successful delivery. The umbilical cord, cut with a bamboo sliver,
is mixed with the rest of the afterbirth, tied up with ginger and herbs, and buried in a
coconut shell under the house. The common practice of division of labor based on
physical strength and gender is evident. The man prepares the clearing for planting.
He also engages in hunting, fishing, and the building of houses and boats. The woman
plants, weeds, harvests rice, prepares the meals, maintains vegetable gardens, and
rears children.

The Mallods, a sub-group of the Isnags in Apayao, Philippines, maintain a rich

cultural heritage deeply rooted in spirituality and community rituals. Their spiritual
beliefs emphasize the presence of divine powers in nature, particularly through their
worship of God (Alawagan) and other spirits that they believe influence their
agricultural practices and overall well-being. The Mallods practice slash-and-burn
agriculture, a traditional method of clearing land for rice planting. This involves a
series of significant rituals performed at various stages of the farming process, aimed
at invoking blessings and ensuring bountiful harvests. Before clearing the land, an
elder ritualist performs a ceremony that includes offering betel nut leaves and seeds,
which are believed to be accepted by the spirits of the land. These rituals symbolize
the farmers' acknowledgement of spiritual forces that govern agricultural success. For
rice planting, the ritualist drops rice seeds into prepared soil while reciting prayers to
Alawagan, asking for growth and protection against calamities. A similar ritual is
performed during the rice harvest, where the first harvested panicles are tied together
with betel nuts placed at their base, signifying gratitude and hope for abundance.
Skilled woodcarving is both an economic and cultural practice, producing tools and
decorative objects. This craft is passed down through generations.
In the context of the Mallods in Apayao, Aspol refers to a traditional healing
ritual performed by local practitioners. This ritual is integral to the community's
cultural practices, aimed at restoring health and harmony. During Aspol, rituals may
involve prayers, herbal remedies, and offerings to ancestral spirits, reflecting the
Mallods' deep connection to their cultural heritage and spirituality. The practice not
only addresses physical ailments but also promotes emotional and spiritual
well-being, reinforcing social bonds within the community. This healing ritual is
significant in preserving indigenous knowledge and practices amidst modern
influences.

The Apayao Cordillerans, a diverse ethnic group residing in the Cordillera

region of the Philippines, are known for their rich linguistic heritage. The primary
languages spoken in the region include Isneg (also known as Isnag), Kalinga, Ibanag,
and Ilocano. Isneg is the most widely spoken language among the Apayao
Cordillerans, serving as a crucial means of communication within their communities.
The Apayao Cordillerans use their language not only to communicate but also to
express their history, traditions, and beliefs. It is through their language that they are
able to pass down their knowledge from one generation to another, ensuring that their
identity remains intact. In a world where globalization is fast-paced, it’s essential to
recognize the value of maintaining cultural traditions through language. The Apayao
Cordillerans have a rich tapestry of cultural practices and customs that are deeply
ingrained in their way of life. These practices serve as a means of preserving their
cultural heritage, strengthening community bonds, and passing down ancestral
knowledge to future generations. The Apayao Cordillerans have a strong tradition of
oral storytelling, where myths, legends, and folktales are passed down through
generations. Through these stories, they transmit their history, values, and wisdom,
fostering a sense of identity and cultural pride.

This dedication to cultural preservation not only protects their distinct identity,
but also fosters a sense of belonging among the youth, ensuring that their ancestors'
values survive. The values of Apayao reflect the resilience, unity, and rich cultural
heritage of its people.
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