Liddaang ken Palubos
(Agony and Farewell)
We Tinguians of the Cordillera have a brilliant beliefs and practices during the death of our beloved relative. Just like the other original traditions we own, the "P A N G L A K A Y O N" (elder men) and the "B A B B A K U S" (elder women) are always the head of the rituals.
During the day before the burial, there is what we called "A G T O". This is the practice wherein all the son and daughter in law of the dead person, and the other relatives who are married (K A B A G Y A N, K A P A R T I S) are going to share some of what they have like foods, wine, rice, money, etc. (note: in agto, goods are not included because it is usually for the wedding). This Agto shall now be given to the people present during the event, and the rest of it shall be given to those who are doing the "U G G A Y A M" (ritualistic rhythm) the night of the same day (Last Night). In uggayam, the group is divided into two, the panglakayon and the babbakus. Each group shall have their own leader. If the dead person is a male, then the panglakayon's leader shall start giving the "P A G- P A G T U A N" (logic/ puzzle) through uggayam. In here, he will give the clue on what he wanted to be solved by the other group. The other group, which is the babbakus, shall give their response, and then vice versa. The uggayam will continue until the babbakus will solve the said Pagpagtuan. (Note: the participants must be intelligent enough because the way of giving the clue and response is indirect. They are using other terms or names of creatures. eg: instead of directly telling the "B A N G A" or vase/jar in english, they will just describe it using deep native terms).
The day of the "L A B O N" (burial) has finally come. Before they send the “M I N A T O Y” (dead person) to his final home, there is what we called "P A K P A K A D A" (Farewell). In pakpakada, it is NOT the relatives who are going to say their farewells, but the Minatoy instead. How? If the Minatoy is a male, one of the Panglakayon shall again represent him to tell his last words to his family, friends, and relatives through Uggayam. The presenter should know some important things about the subject.
After the Labon, the family and the people who accompanied them in the “P A N G K Y U N G” (cemetery) shall pass through the fired “G U M A N G” (rice straw). Passing the fired Gumang believed to take away every negative spirits or elements from the Pangkyung. After passing through the Gumang, the members of the family shall go to the river or any natural running water to do the ritual “B A L I A W G A S”. In Baliawgas, the members of the family shall wash their hands, feet, face, or if possible, take a bath. This symbolizes throwing away all their “L I D D A A N G” (sadness) from the death of their loved one. After it, the “B A G L A N” (priest/ priestess) shall pour the “ B A S I” (native wine of the Tinguians) unto the right or left foot of each member and the members shall make sure their poured foot will not be wet again until they arrived at their home. If the Minatoy is married, the members shall pick small stones in the river to throw at the roof of his house. This believed to drive away all the bad spirits and bad elements inside it.
Upon arriving at the minatoy’s house, they shall do the “K A B U K A B”. Only the Baglan and the members of the family shall do the said ritual. In kabukab, they shall sit in front of the Baglan with the “L A N A” (coconut oil) mixed with a “D A L A” (blood) specifically, chicken’s blood. The baglan shall hold the leaves of the “L I W L I W” and put some Lana and dala on it. Then he/she shall put it on each head of the ladies and on the hands of each male member. While doing the ritual, the Baglan will speak some native words in a fast way, as a prayer (only the babbakus and the panglakayon can understand it). After it, he/she will ask the members to shout together as loud as they can at the count of three. Then the babbakus and panglakayon will do the “D A L L O N G”. Dallong is the exchange of ideas. It is done with a tune slightly like the uggayam. And then the “W A G- W A G” shall be done next. Wag- wag can only be done with the rhythm of the “G A N S A” (Tinguian Gong) and with the steps of the “T A D O K” (Tinguian dance). All of the members of the family shall do it first before the visitors from the different Tinguian tribes. “S A Y- A N G” (spear) and “A L S O N G” should be placed at the middle of the ground where tadok is performed. After it, the panglakayon and the babbakus will exchange ideas through uggayam again until they wanted to end it.
The head of the family shall give his thankful message to the people who attended the event. It can be done whether after the pakpakada or after the tadok.
Three days after the labon is the “P A B A L O N” (provision). The family shall prepare the favorite foods, dress, and stuff of the minatoy when he was still alive because they believed that he will come back on earth from the heaven to take these things as his personal items on the other life.
All Rights Reserved ®2011
Published by: Lindsay Agaid / Itneg-ak Tinguian
Itneg_ak@yahoo.com
www.facebook.com
Tinguian Ak group.
No part of this document shall be reproduced in any form without the permission from the author, except brief quotations for reference and review.
