KALINGA

KALINGA HERITAGE

UNIT 1. HISTORICAL/SOCIO-CULTURAL FEATURES

• Geography of Kalinga

  • Lowlands characterized by open grasslands suited for pasture.

  • Highlands are home to extensive tropical rainforests.

  • Key regions: Rizal, Tabuk, Pinukpuk, Balbalan, Pasil, Lubuagan, and Tanudanan.

The Kalinga People

• Subtribes

  • National Commission on Indigenous Peoples recognizes 46 distinct subtribes in Kalinga.

  • Ethno-Linguistic Groups:

    • 8 Kalinga languages identified:

      • Butbut Kalinga

      • Limos Kalinga

      • Lubuagan Kalinga

      • Mabaka Valley Kalinga

      • Majukayang Kalinga

      • Southern Kalinga

      • Tanudan Kalinga

      • Banao Itneg.

Religious Affiliation

• Census data (2000):

  • 17.6% of the Cordillera Administrative Region identified as having 'Other' religious affiliations, mainly indigenous beliefs.

Social Institutions

• Kalinga Apayao Religious Sector Association (KARSA)

  • An ecumenical organization of various religious groups in Kalinga and Apayao.

Indigenous Games

• Popular games include:

  1. Sang-sangkur (arm wrestling)

  2. Manfaju (pounding rice hulls quickly)

  3. Ag-agwod (tug of war)

  4. Kadang-kadang

  5. Dokdokma/Cho’cho’ma (pig catching)

Music and Dance

• Kalinga Music

  • Known for the gangsa (flat gongs), played in styles like gangsa pattung and gangsa topayya.

• Kalinga Indigenous Dances

  • Sagni or tadok (previously called “pallok” or “pattong”)

  • Challichog (stamping dance)

  • Salidsid (courtship dance).

Major Festivities

• Bodong Festival

  • Displays cultural presentations centered on the Kalinga term "Bodong" (peace pact), celebrated during relationships and tribal conflicts.

• Laga Show

  • Celebrates Kalinga culture, highlighting the backstrap weaving tradition in Lubuagan.

• Unoy Festival

  • Focuses on Tinglayan's cultural identity.

• Pinikpikan Festival

  • Celebrated in March in Rizal.

• Matagoan Festival

  • Initiated in 2002 in Tabuk City.

• Manchatchatong Festival

  • Emphasizes community gatherings in Balbalan.

• Kape Festival

  • Celebrated in various villages.

• Salip Festival

  • A revitalization celebration aimed at reconnecting the younger generation to Kalinga culture.

UNIT 2. WORLDVIEW

Lesson 1: Cosmology, Values, Spirituality, Healing, and Rituals

• Paniyaw

  • Enforces obligations defining relationships between mankind and spirituality.

• Ngilin

  • Set of taboos for maintaining health and protecting natural habitats.

• Bain

  • Governs relationships among kin and between tribes.

Customs and Traditions

• Childbirth

  • Associated with significant rituals, including animal sacrifices by Butbut tribes.

  • Practices like kontad/kontid are observed to protect infants.

• Courtship and Marriage

  • Practices vary, e.g., the Isalogsog's parental agreements, and dowries by Salegseg sub-tribe.

  • Rituals like solvak (butchering pigs) are customary.

• Death and Ritual

  • Immediate slaughter of pigs for guests.

  • Bagungon (wake) lasts for two to three days.

  • Mangalisig rituals involve sacrifices to appease spirits.

UNIT 3. TECHNOLOGICAL

Lesson 1: Symbols and Textiles, Arts and Crafts

• Notable traditional Kalinga accessories include:

  • Dalisdis (headpiece, choker)

  • Pawisak (earrings)

  • Ang-angga (blouse)

  • Kain (wrap-around skirt)

Lesson 2: Land, Biodiversity, and Natural Resource Management

• Imong System

  • Communally managed forest areas for ecological conservation and livelihood

  • Provides timber and fruit trees while supporting biodiversity.

UNIT 4. POLITICAL FEATURE

Indigenous Governance and Laws

• Bodong System

  • A traditional governance system emphasizing law and community cohesion.

• Key Elements

  1. Bugis/Piglis – Territorial jurisdiction of a village.

  2. Pagta – The law governing the Bodong.

  3. Binodngan – People subject to the Bodong.

  • Structure includes Bodong holders and influential elders.