Kibungan folks perform indigenous rituals to protect the environment

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.