BAGUIO CITY
— For the third year in a row, Kabayan dancers from Kamora National High School
again showcased the Ibaloi culture and tradition in a spectacular way to win
last week’s street dancing competition, one of the highlights of the 19th
Panagbenga Festival, here.
Thousands of
viewers were struck with awe as the group performed the “Adivay” Festival of
Benguet.
With
Panagbenga’s theme “Inspiring the community for greener tomorrow”, the group
centered their performance in the four elements of nature – earth, wind, fire,
water, that did not only touch the judges but the viewers, giving them the win.
The
performance’s story line being the ever generous provider, “Gatan,” the goddess
of earth provided the native inhabitants with vast greenery of natural
resources and rich hunting grounds.
As they
celebrate their bountiful harvest with a ritual called “Bendiyan”, they forgot
to invite “Bentawan” the goddess of fire. Bentawan felt so offended that she
burned the whole forest surrounding their community.
Having no
more source of livelihood, the tribe chanted and prayed to “Kabunian” (God) for
mercy and bounty. Kabunian saw their sincerity and conveyed to “Angban” the
goddess of water to provide them with enough rain. When the soil became fertile
again, the natives started to generate their forest by planting trees, crops
and flowers.
With the
help of “Kabigat” the goddess of wind, seeds were spread rapidly and the lush
natural resources came to life. Soon enough the “Panagbenga”, so called the
Season of Blooming came to pass.
With
ecological balance finally restored in their community, they celebrated once
again with a “Canao” called “Adivay”, a native term meaning “to come together
and have fun”.
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