CORDI

• Prior to the arrival of the Spaniards, Benguet was a vast, richly forested hunting ground with diverse flora and fauna, where people lived in mountainous regions with an abundance of water resources
• Major migration routes of different ethnolinguistic groups in Benguet from the 1500s

  1. First route followed the tributaries of the Aringay-Galiano rivers, moving people to Chuyo and Tonglo in Tuba

  2. Second route went through the tributaries of the Amburayan River, leading to settlements in Darew in Barangay Gaswiling and Palaypay in Kapangan

  3. Third route was along the Agno River, leading to the establishment of settlements in Imbose along the Agno River in Pacso, Kabayan, and Amlimay in Kabayan and Buguias
• Ibaloy – Southern Cordillera's first line of defense against colonization
• Kankana-ey – The country's main supplier of temperate vegetables
• Kalanguya – A People Unbroken by Political Subdivision
• Karao – Seekers of peace
• Iwak – A people blending gracefully with the majority
• Bago – Guardians of the Amburayan River
• Oral Tradition

  In the precolonial times, knowledge and skills were passed down through storytelling, chants, songs, and rituals. This was led by pang-amaen/amama (elders) known for their wisdom and experience
• American Influence

  The American teachers known as the Thomasites revolutionized Benguet's education system, particularly through their introduction of the "Three R's" – Reading, Writing, and Arithmetic. The Thomasites innovatively employed an "adult class mode delivery" method. Evening classes were conducted for adults who spent their days farming or engaging in other livelihood activities. Through chalk and blackboards, under the light of the saleng and kerosene lamp on later years, the Thomasites taught these adult learners how to read, write, and perform basic arithmetic
• Ibaloy society

  • There is a distinct division into classes, with the wealthy (baknang) and the poor (abitug)
• Kankanaey society

  • Organized around the 'ili' or village, which is their largest social unit
• Ikalahans social structures

  • Based largely on kinship, forming bilateral groups of kin for mutual support
• Aduyon/Alluyon

  Ibaloy and Kankana-ey system of mutual and reciprocal work
• Khamal/Kamal

  Batares practice of gathering neighbors to help with heavy-labor projects, such as building a house or community projects
• Albubo


  Kankana-ey tradition representing communal unity, helpfulness, and cooperation
• Dang-as/Da-ngah

  Kalanguya traditional practice of voluntary service
• Kadang-kadang

  Primarily, it is a racing game played using a pair of bamboo poles with equal lengths and a stepladder of foot size to serve as the platform for the player's feet. The bamboo has a height of 10 feet from the ground
• Dongba ni Kavajo

  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. Horse riding is one of the cultures of the Cordillerans because horses were there during the old times of civilization. The Dongba ni Kavajo is one of the most awaited event, during the Adivay festival. The race has been celebrated every year since 1900's at Wangal Oval, La Trinidad, Benguet
• Examples of Cordillera literature

  • ad-dem (sung during the badjog ritual)
  • angba (during the cho-ongas ritual)
  • agsangay (during the tam-mo ritual)
  • tah-miyas (during wakes)
  • ba'diw (used in various occasions or gatherings)
  • burburtia (a form of entertainment and socialization, particularly during wakes)
• Cordillera literature, including that of the Benguet, is almost entirely oral, often featuring themes of legends, myths, epics, riddles, and proverbs. It is traditionally recited or sung during special occasions like wakes, rituals, and festivities
• Tayaw/Tayao

  An expression of joy or celebration and is not performed during a wake (Ibaloys, Kankana-eys, and Kalanguyas of Benguet)
• Tayaw ni Mabiday

  Performed by the surviving children of the deceased
• Iwak Basi Tayaw

  A celebration of bountiful crop harvests
• Tallak

  Originally performed to keep inhabitants awake and on guard against enemies, but has evolved into a dance for community celebrations and festivals (Kankana-ey). It was named after the accompanying instrument made from annitap or annadong wood
• Bendian

  A ritual and ceremonial dance to celebrate victory and vengeance, now modified to honor Kaboniyan/Kabunian for a bountiful harvest (originating from Kabayan, Benguet)
• Taychek

  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 (Karao people)
• Adivay

  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
• Kapi/Kapi Festival

  A festival that celebrates the coffee culture of the province, highlighting the importance of coffee in Benguet's economy
• Strawberry Festival

  A celebration to promote the region's strawberries through a parade, street dancing, trade fair, and strawberry picking (La Trinidad, Benguet)
• Begnas

  Conducted by the Kankanaey of Benguet to show gratitude to the spirits for a bountiful harvest and to ask for guidance and protection for the next planting season
• Benguet people's spiritual beliefs and value system

  Inform their worldviews and customs, involving the belief in benevolent gods and specific rituals for their invocation
• Spirits

  Categorized into those associated with people (living or dead) and those related to natural entities like forests, rivers, and the underworld
• Kabunyan

  The supreme unseen god with power over other gods and spirits
• Spiritual leaders, or native priests

  Play a crucial role in the community, performing rituals, interpreting omens, providing comfort and healing, and giving thanks to deities
• Inayan value system

  Speaks to the interconnectedness of all things, influencing conduct, ethics, and values within family, community, and the environment. This system encourages respect for nature and promotes social values like compassion, cooperation, and harmony with the environment
• Lawa, pidjew/pi'jew, paniyew/panyew, or inayan


  An unwritten law that supports peaceful relationships and discourages acts harmful to others or the environment. It is based on the fear of offending perceived beings and reinforces responsibility, respect, and goodness
• Peshit/Pedit


  A series of celebrations performed by the wealthy class for increased prestige and social recognition
• Lawit and Kafi


  Performed after a burial for the protection of the living relatives
• Ngilin


  A ritual of mourning observed after a marriage or death