Lebnakan or Lubnakan: Where Carabaos Cool Off

A "lebnakan" or a "lubnakan" is where carabaos dip in mud and water. There are a number of reasons why they do this. They do it to cool down. The mud also helps protect them from intensive heat and from pests like flies.

Other Cordilleran words for it: tabbakan, lubnaan, tablakan, pitlawan. 

We passed this "lebnakan" somewhere in Mallango, Tinglayan, Kalinga during the Lumin-awa Trek.

The Wild Sunflower (𝘛𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘪𝘢 𝘥𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘪𝘧𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘢) as a Medicinal Plant in the Cordillera Region

In some parts of the Cordillera region, the wild sunflower (𝘛𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘪𝘢 𝘥𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘪𝘧𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘢) or marapait is used as a medicinal plant, particularly for treating fresh wounds. Leaves of the plant are gathered and crushed/pounded. The resulting poultice is then directly applied to the wound to help stop the bleeding and for disinfection purposes.

There are studies which show that the wild sunflower has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. Several cultures from the Americas, Africa, and Asia use the plant as a medicinal plant.

However, the marapait is not native to the Philippines. It was actually imported from Mexico. It was first brought into the country by the Spaniards through the Galleon Trade, the shipping route that connected Manila in the Philippines to Acapulco in Mexico. The plant was brought here as an ornamental plant. The American missionaries and teachers during the American period further introduced the wild sunflower into the Cordillera interior. 

These sunflowers are now everywhere in Baguio City and Cordillera provinces. 

There are various local names for it: 𝗮𝗺𝗯𝗮𝗯𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘁, 𝗯𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗯𝗮𝗻𝗴𝘀𝗶𝘁, 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗶𝘁, 𝗸𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘄, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗮𝘄𝗲𝗹.

Funung: A Welcoming Tradition by the Sumadel Tribe in Tinglayan, Kalinga

Locals of barangay Sumadel 2 in Tinglayan, Kalinga welcomed Lumin-awa trekkers with a 𝗳𝘂𝗻𝘂𝗻𝗴. According to the emcee during the welcome party, the 𝗳𝘂𝗻𝘂𝗻𝗴 is a "practice of the Sumadel (Sumacher) tribe that reflects unity, hospitality and respect for our visitors. It's a practice observed during occasions especially when visitors arrive in the community." 

#indigenousculture #luminawatrek #luminawakalinga

Anidu (Kankana-ey): To Warm One's Self Before a Fire

"Anidu" is a Kankana-ey word for the act of warming yourself before a fire. Gathering before a fire was a very common community activity by our Igorot ancestors. Many of their traditional practices and rituals were tied to fires. 

And of course, just like civilizations from the rest of the world, sitting and gathering in front of a fire also meant a venue for storytelling and sharing of tales, tall or otherwise.

The New La Trinidad Municipal Hall Building Currently Under Construction

This is the new La Trinidad Municipal Hall currently under construction. The new building is being built at the lot between the Trading Post and the old Municipal Hall. 

The Iconic Ginebra San Miguel Label Was Designed by Fernando Amorsolo

Did you know that every time you hold a Ginebra San Miguel, you are looking at an artwork originally designed and painted by a young Fernando Amorsolo?

The iconic label was a homage to St. Michael the Archangel and it was originally called "Marca Demonio". Amorsolo was commissioned to create the artwork in 1917.

The Pudong: The Traditional Igorot Way of Making a Sign or Marker

This is called a "pudung" or "pudong" in Kankana-ey. The leaves of a reed grass are tied into a distinctive knot. It's a traditional way of making a sign which can translate into several meanings. 

Such meanings include:

1. Don't pass or don't trespass. The "pudong" is used during "ngilin" or similar village rituals and observances wherein people aren't allowed to enter or exit a village. 

2. Don't enter. It means don't cross if placed beside a river or body of water. 

3. Beware or there's danger ahead. For example, a "pudong" will be placed near a dangerous cliff or landslide area to warn people. 

4. Don't touch or don't get. The "pudong" is placed near goods or other materials to tell people that these are already owned or claimed thus they shouldn't touch nor get them. 

This is commonly practiced to this day in many parts of the Cordillera region. In some parts of Eastern Mountain Province, they call it "pochong". 

What do you call the "pudong" in your place?