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by: Felisa Daskeo
I've been thinking a lot about the Igorots in this time of pandemic and crisis whilst they are in a dire situation yet they are coping amidst the COVID-19 and they are surviving the situation with or without the help of the government.
Remember Mayor Gabino Ganggangan of Sadanga, Mountain Province, who refused the food packs from the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office for his constituents? In his statement and I quote, "Let the national Government feed those more needy urban poor in the cities and those less fortunate in other areas who can't sustain themselves, while we sustain ourselves while we can."
His statement is very true of the Igorots. It is not a boastful act but an inherent attitude of the Igorots who can sustain themselves even in the direst of situations. As Igorots, they were taught to live within their means. Igorots don't practice extravagant life, even if they have the means to do so. Luxury is not part of their simple life and to top it all they want to gain money honestly because they abide by their ancestors' words, "Inayan sa."
“Inayan sa." It's a short sentence full of sense and meaning. To the Igorots they say, "Inayan sa", to all acts against human rights and moral values. They say, "Inayan sa", to someone who violates laws. In short, it is what makes an Igorot the way he is.
Here are some Inherent Characteristics of Igorots why they can survive during Crisis.
1. Resilience - Igorots are perhaps one of the most resilient people. They have strong personalities that help them recover easily during times of crisis. They have the ability to adapt to any situation.
2. They live within their means. - Igorots don't practice extravagant life. They live a simple lifestyle like their ancestors and content themselves with what they have. They are not fond of jewelry and other luxuries that are only embellishments and unnecessary in their daily life. Just because Juan has a new television means Pedro will also buy one. It is not what they were taught. If you don't have extra money to buy "luho”, then be content with what you have.
3. They always think of others. - Igorots always think of others and are not selfish. They always think of the word, "Inayan sa." Greed of power and money is frowned upon by many Igorots.
4. They always save for a rainy day. - Igorots aren't one day millionaires. They always think of the future. Their "agamang" rice granary is always full. So the rice supply could sustain them for a year or more. Farmers plant rice in the rice terraces only once a year. So, they make sure they have enough rice supply before harvest season comes again. Igorots are heavy rice eaters because they work very hard to sustain themselves. They aren't used to charities from other people unless needed. In times of crisis such as this COVID-19 pandemic, rice and salt is almost a luxury.
5. They practice bayanihan religiously. Igorots practice bayanihan especially in times of calamities. The death of someone means every family in the community must share something to help the bereaved family. So the bereaved family will not be indebted, but they will have an extra budget for the pa-siyam and 40 days celebrations. They accomplish community projects in gratis, and you don't hear complaints. They do their duties and responsibilities for their community without complaining.
6. They respect the authorities and abide by the laws. Although Igorots don't have po and opo in their words, they are very respectful people. They don't practice the "Mano po" but they show their respect through their humble words and actions. They don't always say, ma'am and sir. But in respecting authorities and laws, they need not be told what to do. They abide by the laws and follow orders from authorities. This COVID-19 pandemic alerted the Igorots to practice the "Tee" or "Tengaw" which is the Igorot version of "Stay-at-Home. Te-e or Tengaw is an old tradition and practice where everyone must stay at home during a certain event. The Igorots observe Te-e or Tengaw 100%. They always listen to the old men.
7. They are very practical. This part will surely surprise you. In the Cordillera Region, you cannot tell who is rich and who is not because even the rich aren't so showy about what they have. They wear simple clothes, but they have a mansion and a handsome car. Igorots will buy a nice car which is necessary but not an LV bag worth Php100,000. He will build a mansion but do not expect him to buy that Rolex watch that is worth half a million pesos. In short, they are very practical and they buy only what is necessary. So when you see an Igorot that resembles that beggar in Luneta Park, do not smirk and say, "kadiri". For all you know that Igorot is a millionaire who is just killing time while waiting for his daughter who is a doctor in one of the hospital’s around and mind you, he is driving a Land Rover.
These and more are some inherent characteristics of Igorots worth emulating that make them sustain themselves in times of calamities.
Their resilience and discipline make them survive a crisis.
At the moment while writing this, 4 provinces in the Cordillera Region have no reported cases of COVID-19.
Copyright 2020 Felisa Daskeo. All rights reserved.
Do not copy-paste.
by: Felisa Daskeo
I've been thinking a lot about the Igorots in this time of pandemic and crisis whilst they are in a dire situation yet they are coping amidst the COVID-19 and they are surviving the situation with or without the help of the government.
Remember Mayor Gabino Ganggangan of Sadanga, Mountain Province, who refused the food packs from the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office for his constituents? In his statement and I quote, "Let the national Government feed those more needy urban poor in the cities and those less fortunate in other areas who can't sustain themselves, while we sustain ourselves while we can."
His statement is very true of the Igorots. It is not a boastful act but an inherent attitude of the Igorots who can sustain themselves even in the direst of situations. As Igorots, they were taught to live within their means. Igorots don't practice extravagant life, even if they have the means to do so. Luxury is not part of their simple life and to top it all they want to gain money honestly because they abide by their ancestors' words, "Inayan sa."
“Inayan sa." It's a short sentence full of sense and meaning. To the Igorots they say, "Inayan sa", to all acts against human rights and moral values. They say, "Inayan sa", to someone who violates laws. In short, it is what makes an Igorot the way he is.
Here are some Inherent Characteristics of Igorots why they can survive during Crisis.
1. Resilience - Igorots are perhaps one of the most resilient people. They have strong personalities that help them recover easily during times of crisis. They have the ability to adapt to any situation.
2. They live within their means. - Igorots don't practice extravagant life. They live a simple lifestyle like their ancestors and content themselves with what they have. They are not fond of jewelry and other luxuries that are only embellishments and unnecessary in their daily life. Just because Juan has a new television means Pedro will also buy one. It is not what they were taught. If you don't have extra money to buy "luho”, then be content with what you have.
3. They always think of others. - Igorots always think of others and are not selfish. They always think of the word, "Inayan sa." Greed of power and money is frowned upon by many Igorots.
4. They always save for a rainy day. - Igorots aren't one day millionaires. They always think of the future. Their "agamang" rice granary is always full. So the rice supply could sustain them for a year or more. Farmers plant rice in the rice terraces only once a year. So, they make sure they have enough rice supply before harvest season comes again. Igorots are heavy rice eaters because they work very hard to sustain themselves. They aren't used to charities from other people unless needed. In times of crisis such as this COVID-19 pandemic, rice and salt is almost a luxury.
5. They practice bayanihan religiously. Igorots practice bayanihan especially in times of calamities. The death of someone means every family in the community must share something to help the bereaved family. So the bereaved family will not be indebted, but they will have an extra budget for the pa-siyam and 40 days celebrations. They accomplish community projects in gratis, and you don't hear complaints. They do their duties and responsibilities for their community without complaining.
6. They respect the authorities and abide by the laws. Although Igorots don't have po and opo in their words, they are very respectful people. They don't practice the "Mano po" but they show their respect through their humble words and actions. They don't always say, ma'am and sir. But in respecting authorities and laws, they need not be told what to do. They abide by the laws and follow orders from authorities. This COVID-19 pandemic alerted the Igorots to practice the "Tee" or "Tengaw" which is the Igorot version of "Stay-at-Home. Te-e or Tengaw is an old tradition and practice where everyone must stay at home during a certain event. The Igorots observe Te-e or Tengaw 100%. They always listen to the old men.
7. They are very practical. This part will surely surprise you. In the Cordillera Region, you cannot tell who is rich and who is not because even the rich aren't so showy about what they have. They wear simple clothes, but they have a mansion and a handsome car. Igorots will buy a nice car which is necessary but not an LV bag worth Php100,000. He will build a mansion but do not expect him to buy that Rolex watch that is worth half a million pesos. In short, they are very practical and they buy only what is necessary. So when you see an Igorot that resembles that beggar in Luneta Park, do not smirk and say, "kadiri". For all you know that Igorot is a millionaire who is just killing time while waiting for his daughter who is a doctor in one of the hospital’s around and mind you, he is driving a Land Rover.
These and more are some inherent characteristics of Igorots worth emulating that make them sustain themselves in times of calamities.
Their resilience and discipline make them survive a crisis.
At the moment while writing this, 4 provinces in the Cordillera Region have no reported cases of COVID-19.
Copyright 2020 Felisa Daskeo. All rights reserved.
To God be the Glory. Very correct and well said characteristics of our fellow Igorots.
ReplyDeleteThank you for visiting. Yes, Jon Igorot have many characteristics worth emulating. People must know this.
DeleteHello ma'am Felisa, I'd like to ask for your permission if I can create an infograph of your article for my Facebook Page Nomad Generation? Thanks
Delete-Jasper Libongen
Jasperoid thank you for asking permission. Yes, you are free to create an infograph but please write my name as the author. Thank you.
DeleteWhat is the translation "Inayan na" in Ilocano, Tagalog, or English, please.
ReplyDeleteHi, thank you for visiting my blog. Inayan sa is like saying, "Dakes dayta." Or, "That is not right." or in Tagalog, "Naku po." It doesn;t really have a direct translation but when you say, "Inayan sa." You are referring to something not acceptable or it can also be used to say, "Oh, my God." Hope this clears it up. Thank you.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
DeleteHa ha ha, I already fixed the [problem. Thank you for reminding me. It was a mistake really. Sorry about that but i already fixed it. Thank you. If you didn't call my attention I would've thought everything was fine. This is what comments are for. Thank you again. You can read the changes.
DeleteInayan sa has a deep meaning to it. It is a feeling of fear..but fear with respect. It's almost as if you fear of a "carma" when you do something wrong, thus we igorots have this in our being..and if you are a Christian and have the love and fear of God, that's what it is for me. Inayan alone means forbidden. For example..if a kid attempts to get a fruit from a neighbo's tree and the Mom says "inayan" or "inayan sa".
DeleteYes, exactly joanne b. Thank you for explaining further so that readers will be enlightened more. See you around.
DeleteThis is true, that must be shared publicly,,, so that people will have an understanding of who we Igorots are. I am always proud and bless for being an Igorot. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteYes. You can share it. Thanks.
DeleteVery true.. resilience ang discipline matters..
ReplyDeleteThat is what makes us what we are. Thank you.
DeleteIt's true. I'm not an Igorot per se but I was born, raised and educated in Baguio City and I can attest to that.
ReplyDeleteThank you Rosa Linda.
DeleteIt's very true. I'm not an Igorot per se but I consider myself as one. I was born, raised and educated in Baguio City and I can attest to that.
ReplyDeleteThank you for appreciating the Igorots as they are.
DeleteA big YES! The deep rooted sense of our ancestral heritage of INAYAN SA makes us better person as ethnic Igorot. I am proud too being on the bloodline. Thank you for giving such cultural cloth of resilience much of the respect of our ancestors and Almighty God for the " INAYAN SA" that we carry individually or a a whole group of the Cordilleras.
ReplyDeleteYes, it is this very special word that makes us what we asre as Igorots. Thank you.
DeleteIn addition to the meaning of inayan is that vengeance will come later if one does something wrong against another or that one who does wrong act will be punished by God (they call Him Kabunian)even if the punishment is not immediate or that the return of a wrong act will be in a form of sickness death to the wrong doer or member of a family or other misfortune and being poor forever.
ReplyDeleteYes, it's true this is the reason why igorots always think twice before doing something against others.
DeleteInayan is a way of saying that one should not do something wrong or to do wrong against another otherwise vengeance will come later or the doer will be punished by Kabunian (God) and the punishment will be in any form like sickness, death to the doer or member of his family or being poor forever.
ReplyDeleteEric Babg-ayan thank you for explaining the word further.
Deleteany reaction from this po..ayoko lang yung sinabi na “not so courteous. they dont have po and opo in their words. they dont practice mano po”. sobrang tagalog na thinking. hehe eh kung wala sa language/culture mo yung use ng po and opo and mano po it doesnt mean di ka courteous. diba diba diba lagi ko sinasabi yan sa mga teachers ko nuon nung bago lang ako sa manila ��
ReplyDeleteThank you for callin gmy attention regarding that mistaken part. Yeah I already edited it. I didn't mean to say that word but I mislooked it. Thank you again.
DeleteThank you Ma'am. True and Indeed.
ReplyDeleteThanks.
DeleteWell said... Agbiag ti Kaigorotan!
ReplyDeleteBasabasan dataku en Kabunian.
Amen. Siya adi san kararag di Igorot sa. Thanks.
DeleteWell explained. God Bless Montanosa.
ReplyDeleteYes, God Bless our home. I'm praying for your safety there and for COVID-19 not to travel there.
DeleteThank you for sharing ! Also would agree to the post above, we indeed don't have the 'po' term in the language but still treat others with courtesy, calling others "Manang/manong" or "apu (for the elderly)", even strangers.
ReplyDeleteI don't know about other groups but we "mano" to our elders, asking them for blessings. Also, not everyone has their own ricefields as those are mostly passed down from generations, but even so, each household must still have some "tarakin (livestock/poultry)" or a small garden that they can plant with (but this also depends as gardening/farming/raising livestock is now being looked down upon, especially in our area)
Hagiyo !
Yes, this actually is written generally asa glimpse of our lifestyle in the Kaigorotan. The point here is, we can sustain ourselves in times of crisis like this because of our simple way of life. Thank you for adding more infos regarding the Igorots. Stay safe.
DeleteThere is only one tribe of igorots that are beggars. All other tribes of igorot hate them so much. Don't try to knock on their mansions. Once they opened their gates youll be surprise that they are the owners.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing.
DeleteThank you for sharing the igorot's characteristics in your blog.ma'am felisa but if you permit me to say it in tagalog what it means by the word "inayan" is "huwag mong gagawin yan matakot ka sa Diyos na syang ga2nti sa di tamang gawain". I'm an igorot living in the place of mostly tagalog speaking people so just want to explain & say there are people or race who still have the conscience of, or doing what is morally right. Lets continue to practice it fellow igorots. To God be the glory
ReplyDeleteThank you. You are right. Many Igorots abide by what's upright because they are afraid of bad karma.
Delete“Inayan” as it would say “be careful coz ur acts/words/thoughts have consequence”.-igorota here
ReplyDeleteThank you Igorota. That's true.
DeleteHi Ma'am, thank you for sharing your blog post. After a google research I found your blog because I believe it deserves proper crediting. I was just worried however that the posters changed the title of your post to: "WHY IGOROTS COULD SURVIVE CRISIS WITHOUT COMPLAINING" and a title alone can change the whole tone of the piece.
ReplyDeleteThank you very much for your concern. My friends and relatives are also telling me that my article has been going around without proper credit to the author. I am moving my blog to wordpress soon and the security will be different. Thank uyou.
DeleteGood morning Ma'am, I saw your blog posted on several pages. The title of your post was changed,
ReplyDeletehttps://www.facebook.com/Aga.Ambita/posts/10219388787449013
https://www.facebook.com/malditabaguio/posts/359348081653602
https://www.facebook.com/conrado.asejo/posts/3016352118423648
Thank you. I'll check it.
DeleteVisited and stayed at Kiangan for months so I must affirm this blog. Admirable Igorot traits.
ReplyDeleteThank you. Indeed.
Deletemay I share please’ big thanks
ReplyDeleteAlbert B Malona you are welcome to share this link and give proper credit to the author. Thank you.
Deletemay share please’ big thanks
ReplyDeleteYes, but please put proper credit to the author. Thanks. Share the link. Thanks.
DeleteCourteous words such as "opo, po, kuya, ate, and the like except "ina (mother) ama (father) or apo (Grandma or grandpa)" are not a signed of disrespect among igorots because igorots gives more attention and respect of courteous action rather than courteous words.
ReplyDeleteActions prove that words mean nothing...tsaka ung no. 6 po te e means stay hinde stay at home...anyways thanks sa mga positive na tingon nyu sa aming mga igorot...
Thank you Charles. You are right. We have our own words of showing respect to our elders.
DeleteCourteous words such as "opo, po, kuya, ate, and the like except "ina (mother) ama (father) or apo (Grandma or grandpa)" are not a signed of disrespect among igorots because igorots gives more attention and respect of courteous action rather than courteous words.
ReplyDeleteActions prove that words mean nothing...tsaka ung no. 6 po te e means stay hinde stay at home...anyways thanks sa mga positive na tingon nyu sa aming mga igorot...