Cordillera Autonomous Region (CAR)
Cordillera Autonomous Region provinces are Benguet, Ifugao, Mt. Province, Abra Kalinga-Apayao.
Cordillera Autonomous Region (CAR) ethnic group includes the Ibaloy, Isneg, Tingguian, Hudhud, Ogood, Sudsud and Ullalim.
There are similarities and differences at these provinces, like at their social classes, agriculture, livelihood, religion, about having a family also their family.
Isneg derived from a combination of “IS” meaning “recede” and “Uneg” meaning “Interior”. They lived in the upper half of Cordillera Province known as Kalinga-Apayao. Municipalities include Pudtol, Kabugao, Kalanasan, and Conner. The two major river systems, Abulog and the Apayao described as a region of “dark tropical forest” and endowed with other natural resources. Isneg were described as of slender and graceful structure, with manners that were kind, hospitable and generous, possessed with the spirit of self-reliance and courage and clearly artistic in their temperament. Isneg’s ancestors were believed to have been the proto-Austronasians who came from South China thousands of years ago. They came in contact with groups practicing jar burial; also they came in contact with the Chinese traders. From the Chinese they bought the porcelain pieces and glass beads which now form part of Isneg’s priceless heirlooms. The Isneg have been known to be a headhunting society since recorded history. The colonial regime of the Spaniards sought to curb this practice and to fully Christianize the mountain people. The Isneg’s main staple food is rice, which they have traditionally produces in abundance. Apart from rice, other crops raised are corn, taro, sweet potato, sugar cane for making Basi(sugar cane wine) bananas, yams and other tubers. Land is owned through first use (pioneer principle), actual possession and active occupation and inheritance.
The information of the Isneg family begins with the right courtship. If the suitor has become acceptable to the girl’s parents and to her, he may be allowed to sleep with her. There was a bride price called tadug after their discussion about engagement.
The spiritual of the Isneg is populated by more than 300 anitos (spirits) who assume various forms. There are actually no gods or hierarchical deities in the other world of Isneg, only good or bad spirits.
The first inhabitants of Abra were the ancestors of the Bontoc and Ifugao. Other early inhabitants were the Tingguian. In 1598, a Spanish garrison was established in Bangued to protect Ilocano who converted to Christianity from Tingguian raids. During British invasion, Gabriela Silang and her army fled to Abra from Ilocos and continued the revolt begun by her slain husband Diego. She was captured and hanged by the Spaniards in 1763. the revolutionary priest, Condrado Balueg, who fought for the rights of the Cordillera tribes, began his crusade in Abra.
Abra’s inhabitants are mostly decendants of Ilocano settlers and members of the Tingguian tribe. However, due to frequent intermarriages between the two cultures, many Ilocanos today are actually Christianized Tingguians. Although many have embraced Catholicism, some Abrans still believe in ancient and supernatural spirit to this day. Most Tingguians are farmers who tend rice in kaingins and rice terraces. They also weave baskets and blankets. The predominant languages are Ilocano and Tingguian. Abra’s economy is agriculture-based. Its major crops are rice, corn, and root crops; and such commercial produce as coffee, tobacco, and coconut. Extensive grasslands and pasture areas are used for livestock production.
The prefix “I” means people of and “Pugaw” meansthe cosmic earth. Ifugao refers to the group of people living in Ifugao province located in the central Cordillera mountains of Northern Luzon. The name Ifugao may also have been derived from the word “ipugo” which from the hill. Ifugaos inhabit the most rugged and mountainous part of the country. The Ifugao are subdivided into major subgroups namely, Banaue, Mayaoyao, Kiangan, Huggduan, Lagaue, Potia, and Lamut.
Agriculture is the main source of livelihood among the Ifugao. They harvest rice and a variety of crops and vegetables. They also engage in poultry raising, pottery, weaving and hunting. Social classes among the Ifugao are based on their possessions.
Bontoc is derived from two morphemes “bun” (heap) and “tuk” (top). Together it means mountain. The term “Bontocs” refers to the people of the Mountain Province. Sub provinces namely Benguet, Ifugao, Mountain Province, and Kalinga-Apayao
The main agricultural product of the Bontoc is rice, of which there are two kinds: the chinacon, which is the superior variety, and the pak-ang. Sweet potato and other crops like coffee, millet, beans, bananas, persimmon, tangerines, cabbages, carrots and cauliflowers are also produced. Pottery and weaving are small scale industries. The kalileng (noseflute) and weapons, such as the tufay (spear), pinnang (head ox) , kipan (knife) and bolo are crafted in Tocucan. They also engage in fishing in the Chico River.
Kankanay, the third largest cultural community in the Mt. Province. Both the southern and northern Kankanay have brown skin, large eyes and prominent cheekbones.
The Kankanay practice three types of agriculture: slash and burn, terracing for wet rice production, and horticulture. Aside from planting crops, the Kankanay hunt and fish which are their primary source of food. Some of them engage in seasonal or part time jobs, like carpentry and pottery. Other crops of the Kankanay include blacksmithing, basketry, ad weaving rattan. Many of the Kankanay teens moved to Baguio City to find jobs presumably for their education.
Family is the basic social unit of the Kankanay. They practice monogamous relationship. Members of the family are expected to do their responsibilities related to economic and ritual activities.
Kankanay villages are located near the headwaters of a stream or river. There are three main house types: the binangiyan for the prosperous members of the community, the apa or inapa and allas for the less well-off. Contact with the outside changed the Kankanay architecture.
Kalinga comes from the common noun”Kalinga,” which means “enemy,” “fighter” or “head hunter” in the Ibanag and Gaddang languages.
Kalinga litelature consists of riddles, legends,chunted or sung myths, epics or ballads. Ullalim are ballads that narrate the heroic exploits of culture heroes which also emphasize the bravery and pride of the Kalinga people. Ullalim ia the epic of the Kalinga, a mountain tribe in Luzon. The term ullalim refers to the songs by bards called man-ullalim, which deal with a hero’s exploits, usually involving kayaw, headhunting raids.
Cordillera people are believed to have arrived in separate migrations from the southeastern and eastern Asia. The original mountain people may have progressed fro m primary dependence in root crops until they developed swidden farming, then wet dry cultivation, and finally, irrigated terrace farming. The Cordillera people fought and successfully repulsed Spanish control during the three centuries of colonial rule.
