Lesson 1
Benguet Textile and
Tattooing
Benguet Textiles
Benguet Textiles
Ibaloy clothing
BEDBED
SHENGET/PANGJET/BINATJEK/
SALIBUBO (women’s head
band)
KUBAL/ KAMBAL/SADEY/SAMBRA
(blouse)
BINOSLAN
DIVIT or ETEN
(wrap around
skirt)
Ibaloy accessories/ornaments
“Baknang (Wealthy Class)”
Tabing (earrings)
Karing (copper bracelets)
Bat Ding (copper leglets)
Shekang or chakang
(mouthpiece)
LINGLING-O SHEKANG
Benguet Textiles
Kankanaey clothing
BEDBED
BANGKODO
Native attires for Benguet Kankanaey women are
similar to that of the Ibaloy with differences on
color designs. The attire is called BANGKODO.
Men wear g-strings called wanes or kuba, a head
wraparound called bedbed, and a hat made of
WANES/KUBA rattan or balaka.
PATRICIA YVONNE AGUILAN
Benguet Textiles
Karao clothing
KOGAL / SAFEY
PINANGSAS
SAMBRA
BENGEL
Benguet Textiles
Kalanguya clothing
Men
KUVAL
LAKBA
color combination of red, green, black, and white
Benguet Textiles
Iwak clothing
ETTEN
KUBAL
STATUS BLANKETS
ALAHDANG BLANKET - only used by a person
who has performed the highest level of cañao;
intricate designs
DILLI (Kankanaey) or SHENGDI (Ibaloi) - only
used by men who have performed second level
of cañao
KOLEBAW BANDALA (Ibaloi) and BAYAONG
(Kankanaey) - Ordinary Status ; plainly
combination of color black and white with no
designs
Jbretz
https://nordis.net/2008/12/28/z/general/bsu-studies-benguet-native-clothing/
Tattooing
P a tte r n s
The traditional tattooing practices in Benguet
deeply rooted in history, symbolizing tribal identity, social status, and
personal achievements
represent strength, bravery, wisdom, and connection to nature, preserving
cultural heritage and serving as protection in spiritual rituals within the
community
Term Tattooing varies the indigenous languages “BATEK” (ibaloy,
lepanto) and “BATAK” (kankanaey).
Burik
“tattooed all over the body”
P a tte r n s
Burik mark of bravery and social status
Wheel-like represent energy and vitality, reflecting the
importance of the sun in the cultural beliefs
Sun Symbols of the Ibaloi people
Geometric zigzags and lines are common; often
designs symbolize strength and protection
Animal like snakes, lizards, and centipedes are common; often
signify bravery or success in battle, as certain animals
Motifs were considered omens or protective spirits
Trivia!
Apo Anno is believed to be the first leader to be mummified in Benguet due to his reign
marked with peace and prosperity during the 12th Century. However, the mummy
hae been stolen from his cave and sold to different handlers until he eventually
landed and stayed at the National Museum in Manila for fifteen years. They knew
that his mummified form marks as a historical figure and is a proof that tattooing
back to his life as an igorot is a significant piece in their daily lives. Apo Anno
was eventually returned to Benguet in May 1999, the mummy was sealed from
public view.
Reference: Apo Anno Cave in Benguet | Travel to the Philippines
Lesson 2
Land and Biodiversity and Natural
Resource Management
Trivia
The Benguet people have a unique way of thinking about land ownership.
Sacred Land Communal Inheritance
Land is considered sacred, Properties Over Sale
created by a deity, and thus
not subject to sale or lease. They believe that land belongs Land is primarily acquired
to the community as a whole through inheritance rather
rather than to individuals. This than purchase. Selling land is
means everyone shares the land seen as a last resort
and its resources.
Land as Life
The Cordillera people believe that land is essential to their lives, just like their creator who is known
by various name such as;
This is common term used by the
Kabunian ifugao people to refer to their
supreme deity. Its is often associated This is name used by the Bontoc
with the concept of “the all-father people, often associated with the
or “the creator.” Umayayong sky and the heavens.
This is another name used by the
Lumauig Ifugao people,often associated with
the earth and fertility
This is name use by Kalinga people,
often associated with the moon and
Mah-nongan the night
This is name used by the Ibaloi
Wigan people, often associated with the
sun and the day.
KABUNIAN
Apo Kabunian is a central figure in the spiritual
beliefs of the Benguet people, particularly among
the Kankana-ey ethnic group. He is revered as
the supreme deity and creator god, embodying
various attributes that reflect his significance in
their culture.
He is often associated with agricultural
abundance, ensuring bountiful harvests for the
community.
Stewardship and the Ibaloy people
PRIMI OCUPANTI
"first occupants"
- the original inhabitants of a land have inherent rights to
it based on their historical presence and use
- recognized legally through the Indigenous Peoples Rights
Act (IPRA) in 1997
FOREST CONSERVATION
“CHONTOG”
The Karao people's management of forest lots called "chontog" promotes collective stewardship of
forest lots, where community members work together to manage and protect their forest resources.
includes traditional agricultural
m that are environmentally “kincentric ecology”
sustainable and culturally
important relationship between humans
and nature, viewing them as
interconnected
deep-rooted understanding of
kinship with nature
This "chontog" included specific
zones for different uses:
Budusan/
Kadasan Kejowan Pastolan
(mossy forest) (pine forest)
(pasture land)
Nikayan Uma Payew
(shifting cultivation
(food gathering area) (rice fields)
system)
Lesson 3
Engineering and
Architechture
Traditional Ibaloy
and
Kankana-ey Houses
ENGINEERING
IBALOI-KANKANA-EY HOUSE STRUCTURE
bubung
atep
baey
sagaang
pangtaw
det-a
satuy
ENGINEERING
Traditional Ibaloi Houses (balai and Baeng)
Built near farms and fields on Posta (tokod) about five feet from
the ground
Consists of one room with a door but no window
Wealthy families (baknang) use wooden floors (chit-al) and
walls (chingching), sourced from abundant local pine trees
Less wealthy families employ bark bamboo for floors and walls,
and cogon grass for roofs
ENGINEERING
Kankana-ey Houses
it has a roof that is higher and wider
Ground level, wooden planks are laid to create more
livable space
Two level floor or with a low platform around the floor
Biningi-an type of house in Bakun is a unique Kankana-ey
house with a vent (like a window) directly above the door
HOUSE CONSTRUCTION AND BELIEFS
House Construction
House constructions in Benguet vary accordingly among
Ibalois and Kankana-ey
Both groups built their houses using prime pine lumber
Both groups built their houses on Stilt or post and elevated
above the ground
Sizes and dimensions may vary according to the socio-
economic status of the occupants of the house
HOUSE CONSTRUCTION AND BELIEFS
Beliefs
Building a house for the Ibalois and Kankanays is a deeply ritualistic process.
They follow specific steps:
1. Site Selection: A "buton" rite is performed to determine a favorable location.
2. Timing: Construction ideally starts between December and March.
3. Lumber: Wood must come from a single mountain for good luck.
4. House Blessing: A "dasadas" or "chasachas" rite with a pig sacrifice is
performed to bless the house and ward off bad spirits.
5. Occupancy: A "segep" rite, also with a pig sacrifice, marks the family's move
into the new home.
HOUSE CONSTRUCTION AND BELIEFS
The Kankana-ey—Ibaloi House
sturdy yet lightweight design
has passive cooling features
reflects the rich culture and traditions of Northern Filipinos
DID YOU KNOW??
Traditionally, Ibaloys and Kankana-eys would place a bottle of
water on a potential house site in the afternoon. If the water
level changed overnight, the site was considered unfavorable.
A stable water level meant the site was suitable for building.
ENGINEERING
Terrace Building
generally done through the “gamal” and the “alluyon”
practice is observed in the rice growing areas of Naguey and Pasdong
Nowadays, terracing is not only done for rice but for cash crop vegetables
done along riversides and may also depend on rains for irrigation.
ENGINEERING
Lode Mining
using fire-tempered wood or steel
tunnels are made by building a fire against the face of rocks and dashing cold water on
the heated surface.
lode deposits are mined using labon (open pit) or tunnel mining methods
Tunnel mining required organized labor to build tunnels, extract and process ore, and
dispose of debris
ENGINEERING
CAFIAOS
performed before opening gold tunnels to appease the anitos to whom the gold
belonged
blood offering must be made and only pigs were killed in cafiaos relating to gold
mining
chicken must be sacrificed and its bile sac consulted. If dark, it is favorable but
if pale it is unfavorable.
ENGINEERING
Placer Mining
involves seeking a section of a gold-carrying waterway, constructing to flow toward a sieve,
separating dirt from sand
known as "sayew,"
done after the rainy season
most Igorot mining is placer, with streams in gold-bearing areas being worked regularly after
each rainy season.
ENGINEERING
Gold Panning
Also known as pansejew
practiced since at least 1545
involved shaking sand in a pan (sadjewan) to separate gold dust, which
settled at the bottom
gold was molded into coins, and either sold to dealers or used for bartering
ARCHITECHTURE
Benguet architecture utilizes local materials like wood, stone, and
thatch, showcasing sustainable building practices. Wealthier homes
use pine wood for floors and walls, while less affluent families use
bark and bamboo. Cogon grass roofs are common. Traditional Ibaloy
houses are elevated on posts, single-room structures with doors but
no windows. Fenced yards are often included to keep animals out.
TAKE NOTE!
The lumber used for the house must be taken from only one side
of the mountain so that the wood will not “fight each other” and
cause bad creaking sounds when the house is finished.
“Quarreling” would produce sounds even if it does not shake or
move during earthquakes or typhoons.
ARCHITECHTURE
Structural and Building Methods Beliefs
do not use the lumbers struck by lightning
curse can be removed through ritual like “liaw”
main framers of the house like posts and beams should not be inverted
parts of tree used in coffin making should never be used
owner should conduct “diyaw” before entering the newly constructed
house
n I Lesson I
Lesso II
Unit III
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Lesson II
Benguet people hold a communal
view of land that emphasizes its
sacredness and collective
stewardship. This can be
reflected in their Chontog System.
References
1. Bengwayan, B. A. (2020, July 17). Deep-Rooted hope and green entanglement. HERALD EXPRESS | News in Cordillera and Northern Luzon.
https://baguioheraldexpressonline.com/deep-rooted-hope-and-green-entanglement/
2. Brando. (2024, August 17). Kabunian and the Deities in Igorot Culture: Exploring Igorot Gods. Igorotage. https://www.igorotage.com/blog/kabunian-and-
igorot-deities
3. Cruz, N. (2021, December). The Kankanay Ibaloi House. SCRIBD. https://www.scribd.com/presentation/548198196/The-Kankanay-Ibaloi-House
4. Dispatch, N. (2009, August 22). Students learn about Benguet’s traditional clothes. Bulatlat. https://bulatlat.com/2009/08/22/students-learn-about-
benguet%E2%80%99s-traditional-clothes/#:~:text=The%20kankana%2Deys%20have%20several,%2Ddey%2C%20kambal%20and%20sambra.
5. Ling-ling-o | Museo Kordilyera. (n.d.). https://museokordilyera.upb.edu.ph/museum-collections/ling-ling-o-2/
6. Salvador-Amores, A. (2012). The recontextualization of burik (Traditional tattoos) of Kabayan mummies in Benguet to contemporary practices.
https://journals.upd.edu.ph/index.php/humanitiesdiliman/article/view/3370
7. Santiago, A. (1997). THE CORDILLERA INDIGENOUS PEOPLES’ RIGHT TO LAND.
https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/Documents/Issues/IPeoples/EMRIP/RightToLand/SantiagoPhilippinesCordillera.pdf
8. The Ibaloy (Ibaloi) People of the Philippines: History, culture, Customs and tradition [Philippine Indigenous People | Ethnic Group]. (2023, August 9).
yodisphere.com. https://www.yodisphere.com/2022/04/Ibaloy-Ibaloi-Tribe.html
9. Wikipedia contributors. (2024, September 19). Kankanaey people. Wikipedia.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kankanaey_people#:~:text=The%20hard%2Dspeaking%20Kankanaey%20women's,Kankanaeys%20of%20Besao%20and%20Sag
ada.
10. Wilson, L. (1934). Igorot Mining Methods. THE AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE JOURNAL, 8–9.
https://repository.mainlib.upd.edu.ph/omekas/files/original/b5747ee3e3cf4f6b6c94d7778076dc767ecc04e8.pdf
Thank
you
