Kalinga’s Rich Culture

📷 MJ Evalorosa

Kalinga was just a province along the cordillera mountain🌄  ranges for me not until I had the chance to visit the place for work. 

And yes! I had that typical excitement I am having whenever I am about to visit unfamiliar places. Yet, I did not expect it to be as thrilling and fun as my previous trips or fieldworks: considering, that the area is not part of Philippine’s top destinations in one’s bucket list.

To my surprise, I keep on telling my colleagues that it was, by far, my MOST favorite—I repeat—my SUPER FAVORITE fieldwork I ever experienced. If you’re thinking that I had the chance to visit touristy spots or had the liberty to explore its wonders and secrets. Then you’re wrong! It was for the reason that it brought me light to its rich culture. 

Probably, this does not ring a bell for some but the bookish person in me finds it A-W-E-S-O-M-E that culture is not only imprinted in books📚 but is flourishing and preserved by people. 

I just stayed in Kalinga for about 4 days, yet, I don’t have to stride my way up to the mountains or dive deep to its rivers to learn about Kalinga’s customs. So here is a rundown of the thriving culture that is impossible to miss when you’re in the area. 

A taste of their culture: COFFEE ☕

Grind coffee beans sold for
25 Php per cup at the local market

Though the area will give you some highland chills, you should not fret since you’ll surely feel the warmest welcome of the locals through their homegrown coffee. 

Long before I visited the province, I am aware that coffee is a staple drink in Kalinga. Since nearby areas that I’ve gone to see like Sagada and Ifugao do serve Kalinga coffee.

What amazed me more is their existing custom toward this well-loved beverage. 

For the locals, offering you this drink is their way of showing their hospitality. As a way of respect, you should NEVER refuse to have a taste of it. Just imagine yourself having house-to-house visits in the area. You'll definitely get high with those amount of caffeine intake.

YIKES!!! Where in the world, can you find a place wherein unlimited coffee are given for free?: only in Kalinga, I guess.

A tradition imprinted in them: Tribal Tattoos

An elderly with an arm
traditional tattoo

Probably, you have heard about the famous Apo Wang-Od from Buscalan, Tinglayan, Kalinga. She is well-known for doing traditional hand-tapped tattoo. Though, I was not able to visit her location, I was lucky enough to speak with an elderly having the same arm tattoo like of her. 

The elderly woman said she belongs to the same tribe of Wang-Od and she got inked when she was sixteen. She recounted that having such tattoo for teenage girls is like having your make-up.  

Don't you just agree? This art definitely adds to the beauty of Kalinga's unique culture.

An heirloom that signifies their heritage: Bongor Beads

Roaming around the province capital—Tabuk City—you’ll notice some passersby wearing distinct colorful necklaces.

As odd as it may seem, I even encountered a male traffic enforcer being adorned by one. Perhaps, it was the latest trend in the area: I said to myself. Yet, my curiosity gets into me when we visited farther communities and noticed that a number of villagers are also into the hype. 

Upon my companion's research and some convo with the locals, we found out that these colorful beads are more than just a fashion accessory.

Bongor beads-- as they call it-- are colorful patterned ancestral necklaces📿 and bracelets from Kalinga that are believed to be traded thousands of years with Chinese merchants. 

According from some locals, authentic bongor beads could cost fortunes since a person have to trade some domestic animals for one. 

These ornaments are believed to bring your family good luck and some people presumes that selling such would make your ancestors furious. 

Plastic bongor beads available in the market

"Ito ang una kong isasalba kapag nagkabagyo" (This will be the first thing that I will bring if a storm will hit our area) one member of Gaddang Tribe mentioned when she was showcasing her collection of bongor beads.

Though some are firm in preserving their heirlooms, some families are also left with no choice but to sell their bongors to antique collectors to finance their living. You can also score plastic bongor beads in the market. These are just replicas.

Indeed, this is a representation of how the people wanted to preserve their tradition.

An art to wear: Woven textile

When I was younger, my favorite activity during art classes is weaving art papers. I always find it amusing to see the finish product.

During one of our community visits, one of village people offered her woven products. My colleague then was ecstatic to have a look of it since she's been planning to buy some for her house.I was excited too since I am such a fan of woven products.

A close look of the intricately weaved textile with some bead embellishment.

I was awestruck seeing the intricate patterns and the bead embellishments of her textiles. I was even blown away when she said that she does not have a loom and does it manually. Imagine, the grueling hours spent and tons of patience to come up with such piece of art. 

"Gumagawa ako nito tapos ibebenta nila online." (I make my products and then they will sell it online) One of the local villagers said. It has become a source of income for some. But I think we should also look at it in a different perspective. Patronizing these items is also preserving their heritage. 

Summing up, I think it is safe to say that paying homage to your roots is not a thing in these days. I admire the people of Kalinga for this. 

Do you have stories to share when you visited Kalinga? Type it in the comments section below. We love to hear from you.😊👌