If you plan to travel to Kalinga, you must
know at least the basic practices that they observe. As the cliché goes, “When
you’re in Rome, do what the Romans do.” To help you enjoy your stay in Kalinga,
here are Top 5 practices or customs you may want to learn. Of course, these are
ancient practices, which may no longer be observed in large households, but
still, it pays to learn about them.
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| Sofronia Ollang aka Supling (Info by Nellybeth Ballog Diaz), Image credit: Lydia Ballog |
Custom #1 – You must take off your shoes when
entering their dwellings
There are various cultures that observe this
practice. In Korea, people take off their shoes and wear indoor slippers or go barefoot
inside their abodes. In Kalinga, it’s a sign of respect not to allow the dirt
on your shoes to touch the floor because in small huts, the old folks sleep on
the floor. Kalingas are clean people, they keep their small house spic and
span. They usually go barefoot and wash up before entering their homes.
Custom #2 – Water/coffee is offered to visitors to
show that they’re welcomed
If you’re not offered water/coffee or anything to
drink when you stepped on their homes, it means they don’t welcome you into
their houses. A water/coffee offering is their way of acknowledging you as their
visitor and responsibility. Hence, they’ll see to it that you’re secure and
safe during your stay. (Thanks, Limmon Langngag for the info).
Custom #3 – If you refuse the food they
offer, they’ll consider it an insult
When offered food, don’t refuse. If you don’t
like to eat it, just have a taste. Outright refusal is considered an insult –
unless you’re an accidental visitor.
Custom #4 – Nakedness is natural
When you encounter topless women and naked
people taking a bath without any cover, don’t be embarrassed. Although, i-Kalingas
are now fully clothed and wear undies when taking a bath, the old folk may be
in their birthday suits. There’s no malice in this practice. Adam and Eve wear
nothing until they have sinned and noticed their nakedness.
Custom #5 – They’re not particular about the
clothes they wear, as long as these are clean
The old folk are not into fancy designs and
the like when they dress up. They are contented with clean clothing. However, the
ginamats and g-strings are proudly worn during special events.
An information from a reader from Taloctoc, Therese Zyrrah Daluping: (Thank you.)
"One practice is
when a family has visitors, they will let the visitors eat first before them
and the best blanket will be offered to them." (From a Taloctoc
reader, Therese Zyrrah Daluping)
Another reader from Taloctoc, Lyre Nagoy
Balbin, contributed this: (Thank you.)
“Before
visitors leave, the native folks are all lined up to give almost everything of
their products ; woven baskets, brooms, clay pots, crops like beans, coffee,
kurbasa (yellow squash), ugadiw (fish delicacy during summer), and many more native
items.
Lots of changes had taken place in Kalinga,
and the customs and practices were affected by people from different provinces.
These customs may no longer be practiced strictly but, still, knowledge of it
will help you enjoy your trip to Kalinga.
