I B A L O I W O M E N

Ibaloi women lived in the northern part of the Philippines, in

Cordillera. Aside from the Igorots, one would find other natives in the
area such as the Kankanaeys and the Ibaloi. Their way of living
revolved around farming, gold mining, and trading with the Ilocanos. The headress is called the shengit.

Ibaloi women has distinction between the rich women and the poor
women. The rich women called the bacnang, wears colorful blouse or The blouse is called the kambal.
kambal and skirt or divet with black as the emerging color. While the
poor women called the abiteg only wears black and white clothing. The baby carrier is called the kaing.

But in the history, Ibaloi women did not wear garments and were
naked. They had to go to what they call mambatek to have a tattoo
or the batek. Aside from the belief that tattoos cure sickness, this
The wrap around skirt is called the divet.
batek are also used to cover the skin of Ibaloi women.

Ibaloi women are not just beautiful but strong and independent.
From a young age, they were trained to carry heavy baskets called
the kayabang. This especially helped their tribe in the second world
war where they carry ammunition and water from Bagiou down to
the camp of the U.S. soldiers and up again.

And even if they are pregnant, they continue to till soil to their
gardens until they deliver their babies.

ALANO SOPHIA DIANNE F. BS ARCHITECTURE 5B