Ibaloy – the shining tribe

LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL

Roger Sinot

ASIN,Tuba, Benguet --  – Confucius a great Chinese philosopher once said, “Study the past if you want to define the future.” During the Ibaloy day program last Sunday, February 23, 2014, Councilor Isabelo “Poppo” Cosalan Jr. talked about how the Ibaloy Park came to be. He mentioned a familiar saying by Dr. Jose Rizal who said “Ang taong hindi marunong tumingin sa pinanggalingan ay hindi makakarating sa paroroonan.” Let me ask, how much time can we spare for the history of our people?

The Ibaloys occupied the southern part of Benguet while the Kankanaeys were in the northern part. Baguio is geographically located inside the southern part of Benguet. Ibaloys resided in their uma and kaingins where it was convenient to see approaching visitors or intruders. When one passes by somebody’s residential lot, he says “unda basakka” (may I pass?) The house owner normally invites the passer-by into the house or asks, “tuydagwan mu?” The question is considered a sign of greeting or something that could spark a conversation. When an Ibaloy visits a house, he waits until he is asked to come in and remains standing until he is asked to take a seat. 

  

“Onjon” means unity. It means closeness. Ibaloys have strong family ties. They want to be with their family always. When a family goes to a far place, he sees to it that he communicates with his family often. And his parents are concerned about his safety. Like other tribes, family members usually come together in reunions. In a fiesta, wedding, baptism, anniversaries or in the death of a family member, relatives are sure to be there. Unity makes the family stronger. The family is not alone in times of trouble. Any members gets help when he needs it. Family unity makes the Ibaloy work hard especially when he has a big family and so he has to earn more. On the other hand, Ibaloy children honor their parents and respect their authority over them. They are trained to obey their superiors and be polite to others.

            

In years back, our forefathers punished those who did not respect their elders. It is a shame to go against their will. They followed an unwritten family code. Sometimes, they are even willing to go to prison for other crimes, rather than taking what is not theirs. In times of quarrels, domestic trouble and cases involving inheritance, the Ibalois hold the “tong-tong”. They get the advice of the “enemneman” (wiseman in the tribe) who will “ulnong” or gather the family or clan in some sort of reunion for the purpose of settling their differences. Once settled, they try to make “ton-ton” or trace their roots to find out how they are related. They now pronounce that they are relatives or “kait”.

            

“Kaising” – the word elicits the question “how come Ibaloys get married to each other?” A story goes that when a man bring homes an Ibaloy lady whom he plans to marry, the parents say, “she is your kin, your relative.” So that the man will ask, “sifangarud e asagwaenko, Bato?” (Whom will I get married to, the stone?) Correct me, but in my understanding, the “kaising” as arrangements by parents of the bride and groom to break a long feud between two families. It settles differences in the clan. On the other hand, it is also done to take hold of their wealth, especially the “baknang” (rich family).

            

On the description that Ibaloys are naturally shy, that may not always be true, because for some, they consider that as “pride”.  In the message of Baguio Congressman Nick Aliping, the Ibaloys are not shy because they now shine. They shine for everyone to see. To my fellow Ibaloys, keep shining. Happy trails to all Ibaloys.