Sagada Population of Sagada:
It is part of Mountain province in the coldillera administrative region,located in
Luzon, it has a population of 11,510 as of the 2020 census, and a land area of
109.71 square kilometers. It consist of 19 barangays. In the 2025 election, the
municipality has 9,030 registered voters.
Sagada is a town in Mountain Province, Philippines, home to the Igorot people,
specifically the Kankana-ey and Ibaloi tribes. These indigenous groups have a
rich cultural heritage, preserving their traditions, customs, and way of life.
. Unique cultural practice and tradition
Sagada’s unique cultural practice revolve around its ancient burial tradition and
its reverence for the departed. The most prominent is the hanging coffins, where
the deceased are placed in carved wooden coffins and suspended from cliffs or
placed caves. Another significant tradition is panag-apoy. The lighting of bonfires
in the cemetery on all saints day to honor ancestors.
1. Hanging coffins:
A unique tradition where coffins are
placed on cliffs. The Igorot people
of sagada believe that placing
coffins in high, elevated places, like
cliffs of caves, allows the spirits of
the deceased to ascend to a higher
plane and be closer to the ancestor.
2. Panag-apoy
the people of sagada believe that
ancestral spirit remain with them,
watching over and guiding them.
The light fires to provide warmfm
and comfort to these spirit.
3. Traditional farming:
Rice terraces and sustainable farming practices.
4. Cultural festivals:
The primary cultural festival celebrated by the indigenous people (IPs) of
sagada is the Etag Festival, which is a celebration of their culture, heritage’
and the unique local delicacy, etag (cured pork). The festival also highlights
community unity and resilience.
IFUGAO
The name Ifugao refers to both the people and the province in condillera
region of the Philippines. It is derived from the term ipugo meaning “from the
hill” or people of the hill” it can also be interpreted as “earth people” or
mortals” distinguishing them from deities and spirits.
The Ifugao people of the Philippines are known for their unique cultural
practice centered around rice cultivation and their intricate rice terraces,
which are a UNESCO World heritage site. Beyond the terraces, they have rich
oral tradition like the “Hudhud” chants, distinct dances, and unique artistic
expressions like wood carving “Bulul”
RICE TERRACES
The Ifugao rice terraces are testament to their ingenuity and
sustainable agricultural practice, having been developed over
centuries.
They are not just a farming system, but a cultural landscape deeply
intertwined with their identify and way of life.
The terraces are maintaining through a community-based system
called “bayanihan” where collective effort ensures the sustainability
of rice cultivation.
HUDHUD CHANTS
There are epic poems recited during rice planting, harvesting, and
other significant event, and are a UNESCO-RECOGNIZED
masterpiece.
The Hudhud stories are not just historical narratives but also explore
themes of love, marriage, wealth, and human valor.
They are a vital part of Ifugao identity, passed down through
generation orally
TRADITIONAL ATTIRE AMD ARTS
IFUGAO attire is often adorned with intricate designs that reflect
their beliefs, myths, and legends.
Wood carving, Particularly the bulul ( granary guardians ) are
another important art form, often imbued with symbolic meaning
GOTAD AD IFUGAO
The main cultural festival in Ifugao is the gotad ad Ifugao,held
annually on june18th. This festival marks the founding anniversary
of Ifugao province and is a celebration of Ifugao culture and
tradition.
