BENGUET HERITAGE

Ambuklao Dam
MJSBALAO-AS
INTRODUCTION
Long before the coming of the Spanish
colonizers to the Philippines, the people of
Benguet walked and lived on the land,
mountain and valleys of the southern
Cordillera mountain range down to the sea
coasts of Ilocos Sur, Pangasinan, and La
Union to as far as the ancient trading enters
of Ituy in the northern plain of Luzon.
INTRODUCTION
Movements and settlements were in search
of rich hunting grounds, fertile valleys and
abundant resources of the earth, rivers and
seas, and places of barter and trade.
INTRODUCTION
The earliest known settlement as recounted
in genealogical histories were the following
twin settlement: Chuyo and Tonglo in
Baguio- Tuba; Darew and Palaypay in
Kapangan-Tublay; Imbose and Amlimay in
Kabayan-Bugias; and Namiligan and
Palatang in Mankayan- Bakun. The gold and
copper settlement working sites were at
Pancutcutan, Acupan, Apaiao, Penas and
Locjo, all over Benguet.
EARLY TRADINGS
Centers of barter and trade between the highlanders
and lowlanders of the Centers of barter and trade
between the highlanders and lowlanders of the northern
Luzon were at Ituy now known as Aritao in Nueva
Viscaya, Tagudin and Vigan in the Ilocos, and
Lingayen in Pangasinan.
Benguet products such as gold, copper, iron, honey,
bees wax were traded in exchange for lowland products
such as salt, livestock, cotton or blankets, and wares
from foreign shores such as beads, plates and jars.
How Benguet got its name?
The people wore cloth coverings wrapped
around their head several times .
The heavy head covering which the peo­ple
wore as protection from the searing cold
and winds is termed “benget”.
With the western accent of the colonizers
“benget” was mispronounced as “benguet”
THE SEARCH FOR GOLD
AND TOBACCO MONOPOLY
It was in search of copper and gold then
being traded and said to be from the interior
highland regions that Spanish explorers first
ventured into the mountain vastness of Ben­
guet in 1572 led by the Spanish con­
quistador, General Juan de Salcedo.
THE SEARCH FOR GOLD
AND TOBACCO MONOPOLY
From then on, for half a centu­ry, expeditions were
dispatched in an attempt to subjugate the lands,
gold and people of Benguet. Spanish missionaries
likewise came into the mountains either with the
expeditions or by themselves.
In 1664, the fierce and relentless resistance of the
Benguet people made the Spanish rulers decides to
withdraw attempts at subjugation as well as the
pursuit of Benguet gold.
RESISTANCE
One such invasion was the battle at Tonglo
in 1759. Tonglo, a settlement between
present day Baguio City and Tuba, was
subjected to five hours of heavy artillery
fire then destroyed after a fierce struggle.
Although Tonglo was destroyed, the
Spaniards withdrew.
RESISTANCE
Punitive expeditions into the Benguet lands
were then organized in 1829 to 1833 led by
Commandante Guillermo Galvey, which
resulted in the burning of villages and
settlements.
POLITICAL HISTORY: THE
EARLY BEGINNINGS
During the Philippine revolution of 1898 against
Spain led by General Emilio Aguinaldo and
Andres Bonifacio, the Benguet people rallied forth
under the leadership of Juan Oraa Carino, Mateo
Carantes, Magastino Laruan and Piraso.
Benguet was established as a Province in 1899
under the First Philip­pine Republic with Juan Oraa
“Ahino” Carino appointed as Governor and Presi­
dent of the Board. The seat of the provincial
government was in Tuel, Tublay.
AMERICAN PERIOD
First Civil Government was established in Benguet
on November 23, 1900 under Act 49 with H.P.
Whitmarsh, a journalist by profes- sion, appointed
as Civil Governor.
The rancherias under the Distrito de Benguet were
termed town­ships. Baguio was named the capital of
Benguet.
On September 1, 1909, Benguet’s capital town,
Baguio was established as a chartered city and its
stead, the township of Tuba, was created. Baguio
remained the capital of Benguet until 1916. After
1916, La Trinidad became the capital of Benguet.
GEOGRAPHY
It is bounded on the north by Mountain
Province, on the south by Pangasinan, on
the west by La Union and Ilocos Sur, and
on the east by Nueva Vizcaya and Ifugao.
It has a Mountainous terrain of peaks,
ridges and canyons; and a temperate and
generally pleasant climate.
 PEOPLE AND
ETHNOLIGUISTIC GROUPS
The province of Benguet is composed of different
ethnolinguistic groups which include: Ibaloy,
Kankanaey, Kalanguya, Karao, Iwak, and
the Bago.
Each group has its unique culture,
traditions, and beliefs, while also sharing
common practices and values, living
harmoniously in the highlands of Benguet.
 THE IBALOY
Ibaloy (Southern Cordillera’s first line of defense against
colonization) (NCIP, 2021)
They occupy the southern part of Benguet and parts of
eastern Nueva Vizcay Province.
They are known for being shy and gentle.
Fought fiercely against Spanish colonizers.
Mainly farmers of rice, vegetables, fruits, and cut flowers.
Cattle herding and gold mining are also important
industries for the Ibaloy.
They aggressively pursued education in recent decades.
 THE KANKANA-EY
The country’s main supplier of temperate vegetables
(NCIP, 2021)
Most populous indigenous group of the Cordillera
Administrative Region (CAR).
Two groups: Northern and Southern Kankana-ey.
They have migrated to other regions for farming
opportunities.
Some left their ancestral domains due to mining, but
many stayed to benefit from mining.
 THE KALANGUYA
A People Unbroken by Political Subdivision)
(NCIP, 2021)
Found in the provinces of Nueva Vizcaya and
Benguet.
Kalanguya people originally came from areas of
Ahin, Taboy, Tucucan, and Tinoc.
They migrated due to plague and head hunting
activities of neighboring ethnic groups.
 THE KARAO
Reside in Barangays Karao and Ekip in Bokod,
Benguet.
Known for seeking places where they can
live peacefully, away from natural and man-
made disasters.
Originated from Natonin, Mountain
Province, then moved to Nueva Vizcaya,
and then Bokod.
GAMES AND SPORTS
Kadang-kadang
It is an outdoor game that is played using a
bamboo stilt.
Dongba ni Kavajo
It is an Ibaloi term for horse race which aims
to showcase the culture of Cordillerans being
a cowboy because of the influence of the
American cowboys during the American
period.
MUSIC AND DANCES
Tayaw/Tayao
The tayaw is an essential activity of nearly
every ceremony of the Ibaloys, Kankana-eys,
and Kalanguyas of Benguet. It is an
expression of joy or celebration and is not
performed during a wake (Aplaten, 2012;
Catimo, 2017).
MUSIC AND DANCES
Tallak
The tallak is a traditional dance of the
Kankana-ey, named after the accompanying
instrument made from annitap or annadong
wood. It was originally performed to keep
inhabitants awake and on guard against
enemies, but it has evolved into a dance for
community celebrations and festivals (NCIP,
2021). Bendian
MUSIC AND DANCES
The bendian, originating from Kabayan,
Benguet, is a ritual and ceremonial dance to
celebrate victory and vengeance. It is now
modified to honor Kaboniyan/Kabunian for
a bountiful harvest, as there are no longer
tribal wars. It is known as a "fatigue" dance,
often involving large numbers of
participants (Aplaten, 2012; Catimo, 2017).
MUSIC AND DANCES
Taychek
The Taychek is a traditional dance by the
Karao people, performed by women wearing
native attire to the tune of men playing the
Itondak music. It is performed during the
cañao, a thanksgiving and healing ritual for
sick family members (NCIP, 2021).
FESTIVALS
Adivay
This is an agro-tourism festival celebrated in
Benguet that focuses on rediscovering the rich
history, culture, arts, trades, and industries of
the province. It was conceptualized to bring
together all the tribes of Benguet to share
their cultures, traditions, and successes. The
Adivay Festival also features a trade fair
showcasing the best products from the
different municipalities of Benguet.
FESTIVAL
Albubo Festival
This is a festival in Buguias, Benguet, that
showcases the albubo practices and
agricultural products of the Buguias Ancestral
Domain to instill this core value into younger
generations.
WORLD VIEWS
WORLDVIEWS
Deities have distinct specialties, and the
intervention of a deity requires a priest
(manbunung) to recite the right prayers and
present appropriate offerings (Lewis, 1992).
They believe in unseen beings or spirits
originating from the skyworld and the
underworld, exerting influence over humans
(Sacla, 1987; Baucas, 2003).
WORLDVIEWS
Kabunyan is the supreme unseen god with
power over other gods and spirits (Baucas,
2003).
Spirits can be benevolent or malevolent,
their behaviors inciting different forms of
sacrifices (Moss, 1920; Lewis, 1992).
INAYAN
The inayan value system speaks to the
interconnectedness of all things, influencing
conduct, ethics, and values within family,
community, and the environment (Province
of Benguet, 2021).
There is an unwritten law (lawa,
pidjew/pi’jew, paniyew/panyew, or inayan)
that supports peaceful relationships and
discourages acts harmful to others or the
environment.
SOCIO-CULTURAL
PRACTICES
RITUALS

Peshit/Pedit: A series of celebrations performed

bAy the wealthy class for increased prestige and
social recognition (Province of Benguet, 2021).
○ Lawit and Kafi: Performed after a burial for
the protection of the living relatives (Province of
Benguet, 2021).
RITUALS
Ngilin: A ritual of mourning observed after a
marriage or death (Province of Benguet, 2021).
○ Sepdat and Timungaw: Healing rituals
performed by the mansip-ok/mansib-ok and the
mambunong (Province of Benguet, 2021).
○ Keshaw/Kedaw: Rituals to cure illness
caused by discontented spirits of dead relatives
(Province of Benguet, 2021).
MUMMIFICATION
Mummification is a practice of the Benguet
people, specifically the Ibaloy. Reserved for
the elite, this long ritual process uses salts,
herbs, and fire, and usually takes up to two
years (Balangcod, 2017; UNESCO, 2004;
UNESCO, 2006).
INDIGENOUS HEALING
Selshey ni Sakit/ Keshow (Ibaloy): This is a
ritual to ward-off diseases, misfortunes, or
strained relations. It involves offerings of
tapey (rice wine), tobacco, and a black pig,
along with a prayer by the mambunong. The
ritual has been performed recently to drive
away the Covid-19 virus (NCIP, 2021).
INDIGENOUS HEALING
Aspol (Karao): This ritual is performed to
heal someone who is unconscious, unaware,
or insane. It is believed that the person's
soul was taken by bad spirits. The ritual
involves offerings of farm tools, chicken,
and tapey (rice wine), and a prayer by the
mambunong for the return of the lost soul
and restoration of the sound mind (NCIP,
2021).
INDIGENOUS GOVERNANCE
AND JUSTICE SYSTEM
Tongtong, a traditional dispute resolution
practice, is used to settle disputes within the
community, including land boundary
disputes and other crimes. The practice
involves a gathering of elders who resolve
the conflict, often resulting in penalties such
as feeding the arbiters or the community
(Cordillera Schools Group, Inc., 2003).
TONGTONGAN
The tongtongan or tavtaval aims to resolve
conflicts through dialogue rather than
establishing guilt and severing
relationships. Penalties are enforced
through customary methods such as the
butchering of animals.
TONGTONGAN
Common principles of the tongtong observed
among ethnolinguistic groups of Benguet include:
immediate, final and executory judgment; public
hearings with everyone invited to express their
opinions; immediate restoration of broken
relationships through community celebrations; and
involvement of the guilty party's kin in the
payment of fines (Province of Benguet, 2021).
TONGTONGAN
Tongtong is used to resolve various cases,
including relationship conflicts, property matters,
and behavior-related issues (Rice, 1974).
The conduct of tongtong includes: initiation by the
offended party; public narration of the case by
both parties; presentation of opinions by the elders
leading to a consensus; finalization of the
consensus decision and immediate enforcement
through community celebration (Rice, 1974).
Balatong, L.S., et al., (2022)