The Ibaloi or Nabaloi is an indigenous ethnic group found i

MARRIAGE & WEDDING CUSTOMS

The native Ibalois practiced parental marriage, that is, parents chose their children's mates. This marriage custom eventually waned, however, due to sad experiences on the part of the children who were not paired off well. The parents of both bride and groom still decide on what to do during the wedding feast and ceremony. The groom's parents who shoulder most of the wedding expenses do most of the decision making. An Ibaloi wedding celebration is held at the bride's house. Although the dowry system is not observed, it is a must that animals like carabaos, cows or pigs be butchered for the wedding celebration which lasts from two to five days or even longer, especially for rich families. It is considered disgraceful for both parties if no animals are butchered or sometimes if only one or two pigs are butchered.

Traditional Feast

Certain noted traditional feasts and rituals, such as the kosdey a rite for the fertility of the soil that is observed when the rice blooms in the field. This ritual is done when the moon rises in the month of May. Other feast such as the tehungas, a purification rite with a ceremony held to avenge the ghosts of the enemies who killed their people in the past, signifies the purification of those whom they have avenged.

One of the major feasts of the Ibaloi is the Pesshet. It is a public feast mainly sponsored by people of prestige and wealth. It last for weeks and involves the butchering and sacrifice of dozens of animals.

Bendiyan Dance is one of the popular dances of the Ibaloi which is participated by hundreds of male and female dancers.

Language

The Ibaloi language has a linguistic sound that is close to Pangasinense, the language of Pangasinan Province, possibly due to the free movement of the natives of Pangasinan in the pre-Spanish era.

Traditional culture

The Ibaloi traditionally practiced mummification. The process they used involved smoking the corpse for months to completely dehydrate the dead body, which preserved every part of the body including tattoos and internal organs. They would then encase the preserved body within a hollowed out log and placed in caves that are thought to be spiritual by the Ibaloi. is fast transforming in the face of greater contacts with Christian culture. Practices like tribal wars, mummification and body tattooing have all but disappeared. Traditional costumes have also given way to western apparel. Most Benguet residents belong to one of the many Christian churches that have actively proselytized among the Ibalois.

GONG

GANGSA

BALINGBING

CONCLUSION

The Ibaloi or Nabaloi is an indigenous ethnic group found in the northern Philippines. The Ibaloi are one of the indigenous peoples collectively known as Igorot ,who live in the mountains of the Cordillera Central on the island of Luzon .There are approximately 55,000 Ibaloi; most of them can be found in the southern part of the province of Benguet.

The Ibaloi are a mostly agricultural people cultivating rice in terraced fields .Many contemporary Ibaloi have integrated into the mainstream Filipino culture and some are employed as miners in the gold and silver mines of Benguet.

• Ibaloi people are traditionally an agrarian society.

• Ibalois are friendly and hardworking people.

BELIEFS

Cañao or kanyao is simply "festival" or ceremony or liturgy, or service or rite/ritual, of offering. It is a generic term. "Witchcraft" would be too limited or off the mark to describe it. A "kanyao" may be performed for thanksgiving for the health of the community, there could be a kanyao (petitionary/intercessory) for a bountiful harvest; a family kanyao may be performed for healing such as a very simple ritual of "sedey" with the use of water and prayer; a "grand kanyao" has the focus of entertainment, cultural shows and festivities. In the Cordilleras the term "menkanyao " is widely used, which means "to perform kanyao" or ritual. The main ethnic tribes, Ibaloi and Kankana-ey, are not far apart in their system, except that they are dissimilar in linguistics. Their belief system is common to both with little deviation in methods of performance but do not change the intent and purposes.

Traditional Ibaloi crafts

continue to be made by highland craftsmen. Igorot weavers are renowned for their distinctive motifs. They also continue to make ethnic jewelry, which may be simple or complex, each bearing specific names. Igorot woodcraft is also very popular. Living cultural traditions and important relics can also be found in museums in the City of Baguio, Provincial Capitol and in the town of Kabayan, the seat of the Ibaloi culture. In the different municipalities, the mummified remains of the important men have been left in burial caves that dot the mountains surrounding the town. These mummies are considered sacred to the people of Benguet.

Physical Features

They have a fair complexion and are usually four to five feet tall.

Do for living

Farming is their chief occupation and rice. Their staple, for meat, they raise cows, pigs, and chickens.

IBALOI