The document outlines the socio-political structures and social classes of the Kankana-ey and Ibaloi people in Benguet and the Bontoc people. It details the roles of various social classes, leadership positions, feasting traditions, and the significance of wealth and prestige in both cultures. Additionally, it describes the social institutions like the ato and rituals involved in community governance and justice systems.

1. Socio Political Structure
of
Benguet & Bontoc

2. BENGUET

3. Benguet
Kankana-ey
Social Classes:
• Amam-a(Dakay)- Elders, power elites
• Kadangyan- the richest and wisest among the rich.
• Baknang/Babaknang- the rich
• Abiteg- Poor

4. Benguet
Kankana-ey
Leadership:
• An individual with the most prestigious
feast( Mankayan).
• Ownership of land(Bakun).
• Animal ownership( Buguias).

5. Benguet
Kankanaey
Prestige:
- A baknang acquires prestige through a
series of feasts which begins with a three pig
pedit and progressing to higher numbers.
( kibungan and Bakun)

6. Benguet
Kankanaey
The role of the Baknang & Kadangyan:
-The Babaknang shared the functions of
administration and the control of the resources.
-The Kadangyan was the acknowledged leader.

7. Benguet
Kankanaey
The role of the Amam-a
-their functions includes directing, restraining, and
advising the heads of the family as well as
prescribing the holding of feasts when necessary.
Some of the old men who constituted the agom or
jury were known to be mansapit.

8. Benguet
Ibaloi
Kaising & kalon
• Kaising- Parental betrothal that aims to stratify
social status.
• Kalon- when both partners are of marriageable
age.

9. Benguet
Ibaloi
Pachit or Peshet, the rich man’s feast
- A feast by the kadangyan or babaknang to gain or
to prove their prestige.
- Only those who finished the saveng are qualified
to perform the peshet.
- The capacity to serve rice, particularly kintoman
added further prestige to the affair.

10. Benguet
Ibaloi
Estancia, the cattle ranch( 1700’s)
- it solidifies the social status of the baknang.
Pastol ( Benguet Cowboy)
- The right hand man of the baknang in keeping the
necessity of the Estancia.

11. Benguet
Ibaloi
Bagaen
- Slave trade introduced the bagaen into ibaloi
society.
- They where spoils of inter- tribal warfare or
purchased from the lowland as part of gold trade.
- They and their children will be slaves for the rest
of their lives.

12. BONTOC

13. BONTOC
SOCIAL CLASSES:
• Kachangyan: Traditional rich
• Waday ngachan na: Middle class
• Pusillawa: Poor

14. BONTOC
Kadangyan’s wealth and prestige is defined by
the rice fields they have inherited, the
possession of akon( ceremonial jewelry), their
sponsorship of a feast, and position of
authority.

15. BONTOC
Chono, the Kadangyan’s feast
• A thanksgiving feast
• Must be approved by the elders
Mangisegfat
• richest family who leads the chono.

16. BONTOC
ATO:
• Is a social, political, and religious institution
at the heart of the ili.
• A council house where the elders hold various
ceremonies or meetings.
• As the basic means of social control, it is
where the members learn the customs, laws,
taboos, history, and oral traditions.

17. BONTOC
Intugtukan
• Male council of elders
• Each Ato has the intugtukan, which allows
the Ato members to discuss community issues
before decisions are made.

18. BONTOC
Pechen (peace pact)
• Inter village relations are determined by the
pechen.
• Pechen is forged through a ritual conducted
by the two villages’ council of elders.

19. BONTOC
Retribution, Ifontok’s way of justice
• male relatives of a murder victim is morally
obligated to avenge his death.
Head taking
• Is also a religious dimension.
- a beheaded man’s spirit became a pinteg, a diety
to which the people pray for good luck,
identification of thieves, and recovery of stolen
objects.

20. BONTOC
Fatek, once a symbol of prestige
• Chaklag -breast tattoo of the head hunter.
• Pongo- arm tattoo usually worn by women but
can be worn by both.

21. OTHER POINTS
OF INTEREST

22. Physical structure of the Ato
• Pabafunan- Physical structure consisting
of a larger hut and an open court where
people gather to perform their rituals.
• Fawi - where the council of elders meet. An
open court of the ato, where human skulls
used to be stored.

23. Other social and economic
structures
• Ulog- women’s( babalasang) dormitory,
where courtship takes place.
• Afong- family residence
• Fayu- rich people’s house
• Katyufong- poor’s house
• Kol-lob- residence of a widow or unmarried
old woman.

24. Other social and economic
structures
• Al-lang: where food supplies, jewelry, wine
jars are stored.
• Akhamang- rice granary
• Falinto-og- pig pens
• Pachipad- a seal of twigs and leaves
knotted together.

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