The IPs of Kibungan performed an age old tradition in
Barangay Palina last December 13, 2014. The rituals was done to commemorate a
victory of the Kibungan Indigenous people against the impending destruction of
their domains. The Nakay who is the
oldest and respected elder of the community led the rites with the presence of
the other Nanakays and the whole
community. These rituals have several stages called Petik the first stage of the ceremonial proceeding where wine is
poured on a cup and placed in front of the Nakay.
He picks up the cup and begin praying for protection of the people and the
environment calling for blessings and prosperity too. The next stage of the ritual
is the Waknes where a female chicken
is butchered and the bile is analyzed for omens, on this instance the Nakay was informed by another elder of
his observations and the Nakay ordered a rooster because the first one is not
so good since a palpitation on the bile is observed. They opened the fowl’s bile and it signified a good omen. It is a
taboo for the members of the community to partake of the chicken but it’s okay
to be served to the visitors. Then a dog was offered and butchered called the gemek /gemak. The final offering of the
ritual is called the Binatbat where a
female and male native black pigs were offered and butchered accompanied by a
cup of rice wine. After the pigs were opened, their bile is read and
interpreted, they signify good omen and protection according to the Nakay. With the offerings and sacrifices
the community was satisfied and their turbulent feelings were pacified. Guest
coming from the other barangays celebrated the occasion with the Palina people. They were gathered at the Barangay hall where
they solemnly observed the ceremony. All those who Blockaded and fought the
Dagama Mining Company and prevented it from mining and destroying their domains
were present. The men, women with their children and teen agers trooped to the
place and joined the ceremony. It will
be recalled that the Mining company filled several criminal cases and a civil
case against the people of Palina last 2009. The criminal cases were dismissed
last 2012 and the civil case was dismissed last October, 2014. The Nakay implored the power of Kabunyan and called the attention of
their ancestors to protect their children and grandchildren from harm whether
physical or spiritual ones from their adversaries. After the ceremonial
performance the people attended mass at a nearby Catholic church officiated by
FR Mario Tambic from the Dioses of Baguio. He was assisted by the Parish priest
of Kibungan FR Bede Lee. The Final program was held at the grounds of the
Palina elementary School. Atty. Allan Sacpa was the main speaker who led the
others in urging the people to give importance in protecting the environment
specially the water, land and trees because they support sustainable lively
hood forever. The speakers who were mostly old folks claim that there is no
responsible mining. They unanimously expressed that maintaining the present
environmental state of Kibungan with plenty of water, trees and lands for
agriculture will insure the Indigenous people to live and exist for untold
generations. The community and their guest feasted together until it’s almost
dark. The events were documented by the Pakedlan di BENETEN and CVM staffs.
