GADDANG TRIBE

“ORIGIN”
Gaddang derives from a combination of ga mean “heat” and dang mean “burned”, hence, they
have a darker complexion compared to other peoples of Cordilleras.
“HABITAT”
Located: Typically categorized between;

 Highlanders
 Lowlanders

Gaddangs occupy parts of the Cagayan Valley Region mostly in Central Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya,
Quirino, and Cagayan.
“SHELTER”
Gaddangs lived high in the mountains in forested areas, and it was difficult for the people to get
to were they lived. The houses are often elevated and supported with wood or bamboo, with
removable ladders meant to be drawn up to avoid intruders or enemies. Some of them also lived
in tree houses. These settlements can often be found near streams and fields.
“COSTUMES”
The Gaddangs are easily distinguished by their ensemble.

 Bracelets and Necklaces – is made of beads, precious stones and metals.

 Headbands and Combs – are also lavishly tasseled and beaded.

Male Gaddang – “G-string” which is held by a girdle, whose flap is weighted on the him by
beaded tassels.
Female Gaddang – consists of Tapis or “skirts” a lently piece of cloth worn around the waistline
down to the knees, and a long sleeve, round necked collarless and waist-length blouse.
Tattooing – is common to both men and women, with design s imprinted on their arms, legs and
fingers. The men have theirs on there breast.
“Beliefs and Practices”
Baptist for the Gaddang – is giving honor to God and to give the right of the child for a name to
be recognized as a member of the society.
The customary practices during baptism are;

 Tunnad – food offering for the spirit of ancestors.

  Pagala and Pakangkamman – dancing and giving money to the newly baptized child so
that he/she will grow healthy and prosperous.
Birthdays – as a form of Thanksgiving because the child and their family received so much
blessings and these should be shared to other people in the community.
During celebration, delicacies prepared are;

 Pinalatlat (rice cake)

 Pinatarak (a combination of small rounded rice dough, banana, yam cooked in coconut
milk.
Customary belief performed

 Warit (food offering for the unseen spirits) – is done to show respect to the souls of their
dead loved ones and other caralua.
 Mangacao – is a ritual to bring back the soul or spirit of the child allegedly possessed by
unseen spirits.
 Pamanyok – were the godparents of the sick child participate in the ritual.
 Fiesta – to give thanksgiving to God for the manifold blessings.

Weddings – the Gaddangs have their traditional and customary ways as follows;
During ceremony

 Patontol – a ritual to drive away evil spirits were there is spontaneous hitting of attung
(mortar) and allu (pestle)
After ceremony

 Pakuwad – shower of coins and rice grains.

 Ammeda maabhan – prayer in order not to lose minds lead by elders.
 Pagala – couple dance while the visitors and relatives pin money to their clothes.
 Pabbodan – dance hall
 Balyawan – the last wedding ritual performed with elders and eight pairs of boys and
girls from family where both parents alive.
Long term sickness – is caused by supernatural beings as unseen spirit or the caralua (soul of
their dead ancestors or relatives for owner of the lot where their house is built).
Healing of the sick is done through an albularyo (medium) who talk to the caralua (spirit).
Death and Burial – are combination of the old and new customary beliefs and practices of the
Gaddangs.

 Wearing white twine on the forehead

 Wearing of red colored dress is prohibited
  The dead is brought to the church for a mass before interment and do the customary
rituals accordingly like;
*Washing hands
*Wetting the forehead with a hot
water from the guava leaves.
“LAWS”

 Leadership is achieved based on bravery, skills, knowledge, of customary law and

wealth.
 Peace pacts (pudon)
 Kolak (trading partnership)

“CUSTOMS”

 When other communities enter their village, the gaddang people will welcomed them
with community dancing, gong playing, singing, betel nut chewing, drinking and
feasting.
 The Gaddang people keep a skull hanging in their houses as a gesture of great respect for
the person who has been beheaded.
“Traditional Dance”

 Bumbuwak – that mimic birds, attracted to tobacco plants and a couple/courtship

dance.
 Turayen

“Oral Traditions”

 Riddles, proverbs, puns, ghost stories, and witchcraft stories.

“Mythology”

 Nanolay – creator of all things and cultural hero.

 Ofag – nanolay’s cousin.
 Dasal – to whom the epic warrior’s Biwag and Malana prayed for strength and courage
 Bunag – the God of earth.
 Limat – the God of the sea.