2. The Cagayan Region is made up of the provinces of Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva
Viscaya, Quirino, and Batanes in the north. area is 26, 837.7sq. Typhoons are
frequent in this region bringing rains throughout the year. Unlike in the Mountain
Region, land in the Cagayan Region is fertile for profitable agriculture. It is no
wonder that crops such as rice, corn, and tobacco, and fruits and vegetables,
are produced in amounts that exceed the community requirements.A significant
number of the original settlers- the Ilongots, Igorots and a few Dumagats is still
found living along boundaries of the province or inhabiting the forests. The
Ilongots were believed to have descended from the Indonesians. They are quite
good-looking and friendly. In the Ilongot society, the man is an absolute king.
The women cook and farm. The men fish and hunt, bring firewood, build fences
and take care of the kaingin. They can have as many as six wives as long as
they treat each one fairly and build a house for each wife.
3. Childbirth among the Ilongots is simple. The pregnant mother
goes to a spot near a tree a bed of ashes has been prepared.
When the time to deliver comes, the pregnant woman holds on to
the tree trunk allowing the baby to fall on the bed of ashes. She
cuts the umbilical cord with a sharp objects washes herself in a
nearby river, and gives the baby to the father. Having done these,
she returns to the field to continue working.
6. Palu-Palo Festival
-This is a cultural presentation of the
municipality of Basco, Batanes, showcasing
their ethnic group’’s rugged yet storied
existence.
-Palu-palo means sticks or arnis that were
used by the native Ivatans to fight the forces
of the colonizers such as Spaniards and the
Dutch.
-The natives wear the traditional suit made
of indigenous materials from the bark of trees
which were flattened.
7. Sambali festival
-The Sambali or Piat Sambali Festival is
celebrated every year in Piat, Cagayan from June
23 to July 2. A spectacle of color, form and
movement and songs is to be expected in this
celebration, all brought about centuries-old
cultural tradition
-The Sambali festival originated from the Sambali
dance which is a war dance of the Itawis tribe of
Cagayan that was converted to Christianity
through the intercession of the Lady of Piat. It
was revived in 1989 with the belief that it would
promote the identity of the people of Piat, as
well as strengthen unity and harmony among its
people. Since then, it has been an annual event
for the residents of Piat.
