The Kankana-ey
- 13
- Oct
SAGADA, Mountain Province – ‘Umayatay Wakgat mo!’ the first Kankana-ey phrase I’ve learned which means ‘Good Morning’.
The Kankana-eys are one of the six Cordilleran or Igorot ethnic groups. Most of them can be found in Western Mountain Province, Some are located in Southern Ilocos Sur and Northern Benguet.
The term ‘Kankana-ey‘ came from the languages which they speak. There are many kinds of dialects that the Kankana-eys use but it is still the same. The dialects only differ only in intonation, some words and applications.
Sagada: Philippines’ Mountain Paradise
Today, Most of Kankana-ey in Sagada are Anglicans. Making Sagada the only Christian-town not dominated by Roman Catholics. They’re also fluent in English than Tagalog I must say.Sagada stands about 1,500 meters above sea level in the heart of Cordillera Mountain Range but you will be surprise with the limestones that are similar with those you can see in the shores of Palawan. 
It is said that Luzon was submerged from the ocean billion years ago. Fossils of sea shells and starfish can be found inside the caves of Lumiang and Sumaging.
Etag Festival
We were so lucky, the moment we got to Sagada, it was their First Etag Festival. It was staged its first Etag Festival last January 29 to February 2, 2011. The Etag Festival is still part of government’s projects of strengthening tourism in the countryside and improving the town’s economy via tourism. “Etag” is smoked mountain ham, a dish is also an embodiment of Sagada culture. Etag is prepared by choosing the best cut of pork meat, then adding a generous amount of salt. It is smoked for at least 30 minutes to three hours for two weeks, using varieties of red wood or oak. After smoking, it is stored in clay pots and is eaten as is or could be added to other dishes.
Sagada in Danger
Occupying territories rich in natural resources, indigenous peoples in the Philippines like the Kankana-ey continue to be uprooted from their land as a result of changes brought by foreign and government initiated projects like mining, logging and dams.
Many Kankana-ey have embraced and believe they have benefited from the changes that took place in theirs communities, I just wish that they preserve their own rich culture and values for the next generation to come. I say, No to mining in Cordillera!
Great experience mingling with these people. I believe you have learned much about their culture.
This is one culturally enriching experience and another place on my yet to visit list.
our government should really support these small ethnic communities because it’s part of our culture and it’s who we are as a people…
you have a well-documented travel with those photos alone. i just hope that the place will be protected so we don’t satisfy ourselves by simply looking at the photos and not be able to experience it ourselves
Everytime I read something about Sagada, my curiousity grows even more.
I’m glad that you’re making the time to immerse yourself in cultures other than the one we grew up with. I’m sure I will be able to remember “Umayatay Wakgat mo!” when I visit Sagada. 
By the way.. I’m already setting my eyes on experiencing Sagada next year. Fingers crossed, it happens next year. I was supposed to go last June. But wasn’t permitted to leave by my family since heavy rains and landslides were happening at the time.
I love your blog so much. I have so many things discovered by reading your post. Thanks for sharing this with us.
I had been reading blogs about Sagada because I had been wishing to visit it. I hope I will be able to do that some time =)
WE enjoy watching your video Justin, it’s surprising to know they embrace Anglican rather than RC. If not mistake, some English missionaries maybe brought that religion to Sagada. We hope we could visit this place as well. Very rich in culture and can really be proud as Filipino.
Ang ganda lang ng Sagada. Kainggit sana ay makapunta ako jan!
Wish i could also visit Sagada. This place is amazing and associated with beautiful nature and unique cultures and traditions
Wow i’d love to go to Sagada and I also love your photo collages
Good stuff, man. I would personally like to try the etag. It looks good (with beer, even better!)
interesting .. more info please….
maganda talaga jan sa Sagadafeeling ko tal;aga kakaibang lugar na fresh na fresh ang dating, sana makalibut ulit
I’d love to go and visit!!!! Na remember ko tuloy stories mga friends ko na nakapunta na din dyan.. I hope they will preserve the place though.. something to be proud of pa man din yan.. sana they will take care of the place!
Super inggit!! I wanna visit this place too. Hopefully someday!
wow. your photos are amazing. it tells a story na kagad.
I definitely want to visit that place someday
The government should preserve this community, not exploit them.
Progress is real happening and this ethnic group of Kankana-ey is terribly affected. If they are to be relocated, could their heritage be propagated? Or it will be left or gone with the wind?
I suddenly feel bad when I see the last photo of Sagada. The government with the help of the community dwellers themselves should take the initiative to preserve the land and its surrounding environment. Strict implementation of law is needed to battle the industries that manipulate mining and logging.
No to mining!!! ;( so sad to know this. Hopefully our government can do something to reserve this place.
No to mining! ;( this is the disadvantage of progress. Hopefully our government can do something about this.
Agree! No to mining! Sagada is such a wonderful place and it’s such a shame that it will just be ruined by it.
Aside from the natural beauty of Sagada, it would also be nice to interact with other cultures as we learn something new from them.
I hope to visit Sagada really soon, and yes I’m one with you in saying NO To Mining in Cordillera..
Revisiting, dapat nga heritage site na ito.
Wow. An amazing place,its like your from a different time and you’ll see the beauty of our culture and heritage. Keep posting heritage adventures and help our country to open views on our natural heritage.
This place should be preserved for the next generation. Truly stunning and rich in nature-places that we can still save for our children’s children.
Wow, I remembered my hometown on these photos.
Glad to know that you had great experience with these people as well.
I want to taste that etag and experience the day life of kankana-ey tribe. Good for you Justin to visit Sagada at time of their first first festival. Wish we’ll be able to step on their soil as well.
You’re lucky to witness the Etag Festival! I really love Sagada, no matter how many times I go there.
I’ve seen that mining spot and really feel sad for them. 
I have always love sagada. I love how warm the people despite the cold weather. Great photos! You make me miss Manang and the chills
And the last photo is heartbreaking. I say no to mining. Kaya binabaha na pati Baguio dahil sa mining na yan 
id been to sagada just this year and i must say that the area is being encrouched with capitalist taking the culture into the brink of losing its identity soon … sad that we invest on their ignorance and thirst of seeking for “development” how i wish we can still salvage the IPs of Sagada…
The Hello Sagada video is cool! I like the music, what song is that?
Ang tapang nun tumalon sa fall!
Nice vids! I have a lot of fun watching it! =)
I love Sagada the place is well reserve and fresh
Thank you for sharing your experience here. This is one place that I would also like to visit someday. I hope I wont be too late in experiencing this too. Also, I just hope the authorities will find time on protecting these places.
I’ve always wanted to visit Sagada (alone) for a great adventure and a silent reflection too. This is a good place to vege out. Sigh, this has been my wish.
The scenery is beautiful but it is sad that it is being scarred by unnecessary development. They are too greedy to have money than to preserve natural beauty that could last long.
This place has such a rich history, it should be preserved at all cost.
Never been to that place. Looks amazing. Thanks for sharing your travel experience.
The place is a combination of past and future. A wonder on how wealthy we have in terms of heritage and culture. Keep promoting this stuff and thanks for creating a post that values life here in PH.
I’ve heard and seen a lot of beautiful write ups about Sagada. I hope our government and people will protect their land. I hope to visit someday looking forward NOT to its destruction.
I lived in Baguio for four years but it’s sad that I never got the chance to experience Sagada’s culture. It’s even sadder that Sagada is already experiencing the drawbacks of modernity. It goes the same for Baguio. Overpopulation and construction of buildings have now scarred lots of mountains.