As part of the highlights of the 23th Gotad ad Ifugao: Ap-appoh di Bimmoble (Indigenous Games Competition), the different municipalities of Ifugao gathered at the Ifugao Ethnic Village, Provincial Plaza to participate on the various ethnic games this June 16,2023.
The games that were played were “Batawel” relay, “Akkad relay”, “Kadangkadang” race, “Labba/ Caba” race, “Hinukting”, “Guyudan”, “Munbayo”, “Munlagim hi manok”, “Mundikhal/ Manglon”, “Dopap di baboy”,” Dopap di manok” and “Bultong”.
With this, the players were mandated to wear their ethnic attire which is the wano (g-string) for men and “tolge/ampuyo” (wrap around skirt) for women. As it is inherent within the Ifugaos to enthutiastic to join contests and race. This reflects how tight-knit their communities when it comes to partaking in local events.
Batawel Relay
The games started with the “Batawel relay”, a game played by a group composed of ten males. Each team strategized to pack 20 kilograms of “palay” in their “batawel” or a wood used to carry rice before the game proper. Within the route, the players passed on the “batawel” to another and must complete the quest with complete bundles of palay. The municipality of Lagawe triumphed in this year’s “batawel” relay.
Akkad Relay
Moreover, the next game tested the participant’s speed and balance as the males played the “akkad” relay using an “akkad” or stilts made of wood with a fortress. In the game, each member did their own route and passed it on to their succeeding members. The first team whose entire members finished first was Asipulo.
Kadangkadang Race
A corresponding game for the females is the “kadangkadang” race that is a game played by 10 females teamed up, and one who will serve as the pole. It has the distance of 10 meters from starting to turning point and every member must finish it using the “unggot” or coconut husk with rope. The participants from the municipality of Tinoc managed to finish first.
Labba or Caba Race
Moreover, as a test of strength within women, the “Labba or Caba” race is done with 11 members each team including the one who will act as the post. Each “labba” or storage basket have three kilos of sweet potatoes in it, and participants must not hold the labba instead carry it only with their heads. Each player did their turn until everyone finishes and the first place was obtained by participants from Lamut.
These games develop teamwork and strategy making within members as they aim to finish the game successfully.
Hinukting
In addition, there are also games that are strenuous and exciting. One of such is “hinukting”, also called the royal rumble that landed Lamut in first place. Wherein, each male player will have to stay until the end. Each player held to his own “wano” or g-string at the waistline using one hand and the other hand holding on one foot at his back. The player who went outside the perimeter line or detached his hand to the” wano” will be declared defeated or disqualified.
Guyyudan
Another game that is diverse which can be played by both men and women, young and old is the “guyyudan” or tug-of-war of Ifugao won by Hingyon. This is played by teams composed of 10 participants. The aim is to pull the rope to your side until the mark in the rope reaches the demarcation line. Therefore, creating fun and building strength within the players.
Munbayo
With all the games, the unique everyday lives of Ifugaos are reflected. An example of this is “munbayu” or rice pounding that was garnered by Lagawe in “munbayu” youth category and Lagawe in adult category.
This is played by a pair using “luhong” or mortar, “lal-u/ bayo” or the pestle, and “lig-a” or winnower. They will be given 2 kilos of unpolished rice which they need to clean. The first to finish and shout “Haggiye or Haggiyo” or long live wins the game.
Pedro Banhan III, a participant of mumbayo from Lamut shared that munbayu is a skill he developed while growing up and was influenced by the community he grew up with. He also described the experience as “narigat ngem enjoy” (hard but enjoyable) because he was able to meet new people that eventually became his friends.
“Ti values nga maadal ket patience ta isu ti masapol tapno malpas jay mabayu.” (The values to be learned is patience because you need patience to finish pounding the rice.) Banhan expressed.
Even on food preparations, it was observed that Ifugaos have their distinct ways, such as in the game “munlagim hi manuk” or burn cooking. The participants strictly followed the steps from making an incision in the neck until the “kuhiko” or the folding of the chicken the Ifugao way. Thus, it was done excellently by the participants from Lagawe putting them on top. Each pair was given a live chicken, firewood and a bowl to partake in the game.
Likewise, wood is inclined on how Ifugaos live, from how they cook their food to wood carving. The Mundikhal/ Manglon or woodchopping competition using an axe was won by Lamut. This is done with the participants aiming to chop a log with their axe within 10 minutes. Each output was judged basing on the splits of the wood if it was presentably finished.
Dopap di baboy and Dopap di manok
Furthurmore, the dopap di manok or chicken catching won by Kiangan and Dopap di baboy or pig catching won by Lamut is a game with players aiming to be the first to catch the chicken or the pig with their bare hands. The game stirred the excitement of the viewers as they actively cheered for their bets and laughed as the participants try to catch the pig and chicken.
These games are played commonly after harvest considering the laborious work in the rice fields and it serves as short respite for the Ifugaos.
Bultong
Moreover, Bultong in particular is used to solve conflicts in the olden times. Bultong or the Ifugao wresting was won by the representative of Kiangan. This game has a five-minute time limit and is played by males wearing “wano”. Wrestlers will grip each other’s “wano” either to knock out or push the opposite player out of the circle on each round.
Participating in the ethnic games allows not just the newer generation but the older ones to have fun. But more than that, this activity confronts people with lessons and reflection to their cultural identity as Ifugaos.
As Joselito G. Guyguyon, Sangguniyang Panlalawigan Member of Ifugao, “In every competition may mga natatalo, so we want to inculcate in the young ones the acceptance and of course learning. Take it upon yourself to improve because the endpoint is not winning.”
Activities like this Ap-apoh di Bimmoble or Ethnic games competition is an intergenerational way of transferring cultural practices for them to be appreciated and not be forgotten.
Ifugao is a place of rich culture and a generous share of cultural games. Whether done as recreation or for settlement of conflicts, these games are kept alive by the Ifugaos themselves for a long period of time. The challenge lies on today’s generation on how they could preserve, appreciate and, promote Ifugao’s unique cultural way of having fun and building camaraderie between them. By Jurjen K. Sublino
