Kankanay People

Culture and Tradition:

- The Kankanaey people have a rich cultural heritage that includes a strong emphasis on rice
terrace agriculture, traditional rituals, and a hierarchical social structure.

- They have a class system with a traditional upper class called kadangyan, who are
responsible for maintaining the family name, managing property, and upholding traditions for
future generations.

- The Kankanaey have a deep-rooted belief system that includes a pantheon of male and
female deities led by Kabunian, the supreme entity responsible for the well-being of all beings.

Rice Terrace Agriculture

- The Kankanaey people have a deep-rooted connection to rice terrace agriculture, with both
northern and southern Kankanaey groups being rice terrace agriculturists.
- Their original villages, located on high slopes of the central Cordillera range, showcase
extensive rice terraces that have been integral to their way of life for generations.
- The success of planting and harvesting, and thus their survival, depends on the observance
of rituals and ceremonies tied to the agricultural cycle.

Social Structure and Class System

- The Kankanaey society has a hierarchical social structure with a traditional upper class
known as kadangyan.
- The kadangyan class plays a crucial role in maintaining the family name, managing inherited
and acquired property, overseeing work, and conserving traditions for future generations.
- Marriages within the kadangyan class and between kadangyan from different villages have
historically contributed to social homogeneity and mobility within Kankanaey society.

Belief System and Rituals

- The Kankanaey people have a complex belief system that includes a pantheon of male and
female deities led by Kabunian, the supreme entity responsible for the well-being of all beings.
- Rituals and ceremonies, such as the bayas ritual, are observed in connection with the
agricultural cycle and are deemed indispensable for the success of planting, harvesting, and
overall survival.
- Expressions of gratitude and reverence towards Kabunian, such as saying "Itunin sang
kabunayen" (Thank you, Kabunian), are common in Kankanaey culture.

Cultural Practices and Traditions

- The Kankanaey people engage in traditional crafts such as blacksmithing, basketry, weaving,
and pottery, although some of these practices have declined due to modern influences.
- Weaving, done with the blackstrap loom, produces cloth that is not only used for domestic
purposes but is also sold or bartered to neighboring groups.
 - The integration of Kankanaey society into the cash economy has led to shifts in traditional
occupations, with some seeking employment in urban areas like Baguio City.

Location or Areas where they live:

- The Kankanaey people primarily reside in Benguet and Mountain Province of the Cordillera
Administrative Region in the Philippines.

- They have historically inhabited villages located on high slopes of the central Cordillera range,
near the Kayan-Bauko and Sumadel-Besao areas.

Language:
- The Kankanaey people speak the Kankanaey language, which is part of the Cordilleran
language family.

Distinct or Special Features/Attributes:

- The Kankanaey people are known for their expertise in rice terrace agriculture, with both
northern and southern Kankanaey groups being rice terrace agriculturists.

- They have a unique social structure with a traditional upper class that plays a significant role in
maintaining cultural practices and traditions.

- The Kankanaey have a strong connection to their belief system, which includes rituals and
ceremonies to ensure the well-being of their community and the success of their agricultural
endeavors.

Further Information:
- The Kankanaey people have a vibrant music scene, with popular singers like Joel Tingbaoen,
Lourdes Gomeyac-Fangki, and Brian Aliping incorporating Ilocano and Cordillera languages into
their music.

- Understanding and appreciating the Kankanaey people's cultural practices, belief systems,
and way of life can provide valuable insights into the diversity and richness of indigenous
cultures in the Philippines.

Reference

https://www.yodisphere.com/2022/09/Kankanaey-Tribe-Culture.html