Ilocano Culture

Prepared by: Ruben D. Contaoe

 Ilocano History and Origin
a.) Ilocano, also spelled Ilokano, or Ilokan, also called Iloko, or Iloco.

b.) third largest ethnolinguistic group in the Philippines. When discovered by the Spanish
in the 16th century, they occupied the narrow coastal plain of northwestern Luzon, known
as the Ilocos region. The growth of their population later led to much migration to
neighbouring provinces, to the southern Philippine island of Mindanao

c.) The word Ilocano or Ilokano originates from the word Iloko, the conjugation of i-
(meaning 'of') and loko (meaning 'bay'), which means 'from the bay‘ in Ilocano. Iloc“ano”
is the Spanish word for "us" ano, which refers to the people (e.g., Americano, Italyano,
Africano, Mexicano,etc.).
d.) Males are referred to as Ilocano or Ilokano while females are referred to as Ilocana or
Ilokana.

e.) The major Ilocano provinces, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, and La Union, are among the most
densely populated areas in the Philippines. Rice is the staple crop, grown on small fields.
Vegetables and pigs, goats, and chickens are also raised. Tobacco is an important cash
crop.

f.) Many Ilocano supplement their incomes by wage work or handicrafts.

Education
• Among the more dominant of the ethnic groups, they have figured prominently in
the political, educational, economic, religious, and other sectors of society.
Intensely regionalistic like most of the other major groups, the Ilocano take pride in
their roots and language. Ilocanos are almost all literate (can read or write).
 Occupation
a.) Almost all farmers (the major occupation) own the land they till, except for
those who are tenants of farms owned by urban professionals. The staple crop
is rice, though poorer people must mix cheaper maize (corn) with their rice.
Root crops are also grown both as a supplement to the diet and for sale.

b.) Crops grown for market include tobacco and garlic (both Ilocos specialties),
as well as onions, and vegetables.

c.) Cottage industries include salt-making, basi wine-making, pottery-making,

weaving, basket and mat-weaving, woodworking, and silversmithing (recycling
old Spanish or Mexican coins).
 Language
a.) llocano is the most commonly spoken language of the Northern Luzon subfamily,
and its speakers constitute the third largest language community of the Philippines.
Because of the importance of Ilocano in Northern Luzon, it has been called the
"National Language of the North.“

b.) Many ethnic groups from the northern regions of the country are more at home in
their second language, Ilocano, than the national language of the country, Tagalog
(Pilipino).

c.) The original Ilocano speaking areas (in the provinces of Ilocos Norte and Ilocos
Sur) are said to speak the "purest" form of the language, called by Ilocanos 'nauneg
nga Iloko' (deep Ilocano).
 Religion
• Most Ilocanos are Roman Catholics, and Aglipayans, which originated in Ilocos
Norte.
INDIGENOUS ILOCANO RELIGION
A.) Ilocanos believed in spirits called anito who were either bad or good, male or female.
The anito ruled over all aspects of the universe.
For example, “Litao” were anitos of water, and “Mangmangkik” were anitos of trees. The
Mangmangkik were often feared for causing sickness when a fellow tree was cut down. To
appease the Mangmangkik before cutting down a tree, the following chant was made:
“Bari Bari.
Dikat agunget pari.
Ta pumukan kami.
Iti pabakirda kadakami.”
This chant calls on the Mangmangkik and beseeches them not to curse the people
cutting the tree down.
B.) Other ways anitos were respected and appeased were through offerings and sacrifices to idols on
platforms called a simbaan or designated caves where the anito frequents. These offerings, called
atang, consisted of various foodstuffs and sweets, as well as cigars and “paan”.

C.) ATANG is also offered to the deceased during prayers for the dead or on “Pista Ti Natay” ,“Undas”
or All Soul's Day. Plates of food prepared for an atang consist of delicacies such suman, patopat,
bagas, and any other kakanin.

D.) These offerings are placed infront of a photo of the departed and/or image of Jesus, Mary, or the Holy
Family during wakes and anniversaries in homes or in front of the graves, after which the family
and/or mourners of the deceased may also offer prayers.
THANK YOU
AND
GOD BLESS!