Evaluating Kankanaey, Ibaloi, and Badjao Indigenous Communities in Pangasinan:

Culture, Challenges and Preservation

Sopranes, Blessed Faith S., Calpo, Lanz Miko M., Igama, James Benedict F., Padua, Dustin

John R.

I. Introduction

Background of the Study

The Philippines is an archipelagic country with more than a hundred ethnolinguistic

groups, each with its own traditions, beliefs, and lifestyles, the country is rich in cultural

diversity. The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) reports that it is home to

nearly 17 million indigenous people from 110 ethnolinguistic groups. The International Work

Group for Indigenous Affairs (IWGIA) estimates that between 10% and 20% of people are

members of indigenous communities. Among these are the Kankanaey, Ibaloi, and Badjao

communities, which have maintained their own cultural identities despite the demands of

industrialization and globalization. Their livelihood and source of living are most likely to be in

agriculture and fisheries.

As stated by Arquillano, the Kankanaey and Ibaloi reside in Sitio Mapita, Barangay

Laoag, in Aguilar Pangasinan. The Kankanaey livelihood was gold mining and trading,

exchanging the gold they mined with lowland groups for ilocano blankets, salt, and livestock.

Aside from that, they were influenced by agriculture. Most of their income comes from tilling

the fields; they build rice terraces, which have become their sources of food. In terms of
tradition, families have important roles in economic and ritual activities; the marriages that occur

within similar social groups have helped maintain class differences over time (Yodisphere,

2022). As stated by Joshua Project, the weddings are celebrated with big feasts and rituals that

are done before and during the wedding ceremony. The butchering of animals is an essential part

of the wedding, but due to unfavorable experiences, this practice is already declining. Hunting is

one of the practices by Kankanaeys with the use of spears and dogs, while fishing is done with

the use of bamboo traps. They also produce sweaters, blankets, and shirts, which are then being

marketed in other nearby towns.

Based on the Ethnic Groups of the Philippines (2023), the Ibaloi are known for their agrarian

lifestyle and their rich cultural legacy; they express it through cultivating rice in terraced fields.

The most known native feast amongst the Ibaloi is the Cañao tradition, a Thanksgiving ritual.

Among them is pechit, or pesshet, which requires feeding the whole community. It involves

animal sacrifices as well as an offering of rice wine or tapuy. Tapuy is a valued offering, as rice

was considered a special commodity in the past and was only served during special occasions.

One of their traditions is mummification. It is an ancient tradition of preserving a loved one’s

dead body. Their profound spiritual beliefs in ancestors and supreme beings speak about their

culture and customs.

The Badjao are known as the “sea gypsies,” which means “man of the seas." They

are a nomadic indigenous group primarily found in the coastal regions. They live a seaborne

lifestyle that is associated with their culture, which then includes their rich oral traditions about

royalty and sea life. They exhibit their cultural identity through their distinctive practices, such as

childbirth rites in which the infant is thrown into the sea and family members are required to
save it, and their renowned boat-dwelling dwellings, known as lepa, balutu, and vinta. Their

language, Sinama, is spoken in several dialects that reflect their diverse ancestry. And their

traditional marriages, where the married couple may choose to sail with the relatives of the wife

or the husband. They hang alongside other boats at shared mooring locations known as

sambuangan. They also have traditional songs during marriage celebrations called kandula

pagkawin, which is then accompanied by a dance called pang-igal. They also have a rich visual

arts tradition in carving and sculpting. In terms of clothing, their traditional attire is called

patadyong; it is a wraparound skirt worn by men and women (Ethnic Groups of the Philippines,

2021). In spite of their great culture, they experience tragedies that affect mostly the children.

Starvation occurs within the family which then forces children into begging which increases the

vulnerability to sex trafficking. Laws that have been recently added banning all fishing in Badjao

had ruined their traditional practices, pushing them to risk their lives to fish illegally. (Badjao

Bridge)

Despite the rich history and cultures of each indigenous group, they still experience

issues such as environmental damage and the disappearance of traditional customs as a result of

industrialization. Facing significant hardships including poverty, illiteracy, substantial barriers to

basic services like education, healthcare and displacements which then results in them migrating

to urban areas losing their traditional livelihoods. Systemic hurdles make it difficult to attain

education, leading to high unemployment rates and a cycle of poverty. Healthcare is frequently

out of reach, having a lack of resources, which increases the health problems that these

communities suffer.
 According to Mendoza, the culture of a country is vastly reflected in its treasury of

festivals. As culture is implanted in the history of the society and festivals, it can be the identity

of a culture. It can also give insights to the socio-economic and political background of the

community and serves as a precious intangible cultural heritage for the whole country.

Therefore, it is the most potent symbol of national identity and the reflection of the peoples’

values. Also, it is the duty of every citizen to preserve and conserve the Filipino historical and

cultural heritage and resources. The conservation of artifacts of Filipino culture and history

should be strongly pursued. The culture also includes the beliefs of a society which are expressed

in arts, traditions and patrimony. These expressions acknowledge the people, and their

contribution to the world heritage. Moreover, as mentioned by Abadi, indigenous people’s

culture must be preserved as it benefits the entire country in various ways. In addition, it

provides jobs and boosts local revenue and strengthens the indigenous communities' sense of

identity and fosters a stronger sense of connection to their heritage. Furthermore, indigenous

communities also frequently act as effective guardians of their natural environments, and sharing

their cultures with the world promotes cross-cultural understanding and appreciation, which

helps to create a more tolerant and peaceful global society. The diverse customs, languages, and

practices of these communities enhance the cultural fabric of the Philippines. By acknowledging,

promoting awareness and supporting the rights of indigenous peoples, we can ensure that

indigenous cultures will endure for years.

Statement of the Problem

This case study aims to evaluate the Kankanaey, Ibaloi, and Badjao Indigenous communities in

Pangasinan, focusing on their cultural practices, challenges, and preservation.

1. How are modernization and globalization impacting the cultures of the Kankanaey,

Ibaloi, and Badjao communities? What strategies can be used to preserve their identities?

2. Why do these Indigenous communities face high poverty rates and limited access to

education and healthcare? What systemic barriers contribute to these issues?

3. What are the current threats to their ancestral lands, and how well is the Indigenous

Peoples’ Rights Act (IPRA) being enforced to protect their rights?

II. Body

Objectives

Taking action in this field is of utmost importance. Therefore, the objective of this study is to

evaluate the Kankanaey, Ibaloi, and Badjao Indigenous communities in Pangasinan, focusing on

their culture, challenges, and preservation.

1. Evaluate the cultural practices, challenges, and preservation initiatives of the Kankanaey,

Ibaloi, and Badjao Indigenous communities in Pangasinan.

2. Understand the impact of modernization and globalization on their cultural identities,

investigate the systemic barriers that contribute to high poverty rates and limited access

to education and healthcare, and assess the current threats to their ancestral lands.

3. Explore the enforcement of the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act (IPRA) in protecting their

rights and identify strategies for preserving their cultural heritage amidst these

challenges.
 Areas of consideration

SWOT ANALYSIS

Three indigenous communities in Pangasinan have unique customs, difficulties, and preservation

efforts that can be insightfully explored through a SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses,

Opportunities, and Threats). This methodology acknowledges vulnerabilities such as the

progressive loss of traditions due to modernization while enabling a deeper understanding of

each group's cultural strengths, such as their customs and spiritual practices. In addressing

external risks like environmental damage and societal change, it also highlights opportunities for

heritage preservation and promotion. The case study investigates strategies for preserving these

indigenous cultures using this method, making sure their identities persist in spite of changing

social dynamics.

Table 1:

STRENGTH WEAKNESS

The Ibaloi people possess valuable skills in According to Agrtitech Portal, climate is a key factor

income-generating activities, such as handicraft determining the suitability of crops in a particular region.

businesses, which reflect their rich cultural Since Pangasinan has a different climate compared to

heritage. Additionally, ensuring food security Baguio, where the Ibaloi originally come from, adjusting

remains a key aspiration within the community, to this new environment for agricultural purposes could

aligning with their agrarian lifestyle and present a challenge or weakness for them.

contributing to their self-sufficiency. (Solis &

Ona, 2017)
 OPPORTUNITY THREAT

Based from Ona and Solis, ibaloi crafts have Rebel Influence: The community has faced influence

significant potential to be developed as tourism from the New People’s Army (NPA). This has led to

products, offering a unique way to showcase their reluctance in accepting government projects such as

traditions. irrigation systems, reportedly due to miscommunication

and NPA influence, which may have impacted the

decision-making process of the community. (Hirai,2015)

Table 2:

STRENGTH WEAKNESS

Badjaos are practicing sustainable fishing for over Language is essential for human connection, enabling us

1,500 years (The Samdhana Institute). They possess to share ideas, thoughts, and feelings. While all species

valuable maritime knowledge, particularly in communicate, only humans have mastered cognitive

fishing and boat-building, which could be an asset language. It has the power to unite societies or cause

in coastal areas of Pangasinan. Their deep their division. (University of the People, 2020). The

understanding of marine resources allows them to Badjao originally hail from Mindanao, in contrast to the

contribute to the local economy through these Ibaloi, Badjao came from a different region of the

skills. Philippines. The dialect spoken by the Badjao is

significantly different from that of Pangasinan, creating

OPPORTUNITY THREAT

As stated in the Indigenous Peoples' Rights Act Overfishing, pollution, and coastal development have

(IPRA), there are substantial opportunities for the severely impacted the traditional fishing grounds and

Indigenous Badjao community through programs lifestyles of the Badjao. These pressures disrupt their

designed to enhance their economic prospects. access to vital marine resources, threatening their way of

These initiatives can provide support for sustainable life and economic sustainability. (Justo, 2024). The

livelihoods, ensuring access to vital marine and degradation of their environment due to urbanization and

land resources. industrial activities further complicates their efforts to

maintain their cultural and economic practices

Table 3:

STRENGTH WEAKNESS

Rich Weaving Tradition: The Kankanaey, along As stated by Pressenza, kankanaey communities rely

with other major indigenous groups in the heavily on traditional agriculture and weaving, which

Cordillera, have a rich tradition of weaving that may not provide sufficient income or stability.

showcases their artistic skills and cultural heritage.

identity but also contributes to the local economy

through the production of various handwoven items,

including clothing and textiles. (Kelly, Rachel, et al.

2019)

OPPORTUNITY THREAT

Migration and Employment Opportunities: In recent The impact of mainstream culture and globalization

years, there has been a growing trend of Kankanaey poses a significant threat to the preservation of

individuals migrating to urban centers in the Kankanaey traditions, including their weaving practices

Philippines and abroad in search of education and and agricultural methods (Igorotage, 2021).

employment opportunities. (Igorotage, 2024)

III. Conclusion

To conclude, the Kankanaey, Ibaloi, and Badjao likely differ in their culture and traditions, but

they share similar challenges such as homelessness, low educational attainment, poverty, and

inadequate healthcare. A critical factor of this constant cycle of poverty is their limited access to

government social welfare programs. Children that were born are unable to get official

documents, which more likely face vulnerability to poverty and social exclusion.

Furthermore, modernization negatively impacts traditional practices. For example, their

displacement results in indigenous people migrating to urban places and losing their livelihood,
and such challenges that occur slowly vanish their tradition. Devaluing and not acknowledging

their importance in culture and tradition in history leads to a decline in cultural activities and an

abandonment of customs, causing them to not be passed down to generations. This impact

requires taking crucial action in preserving their traditions. As evaluated, the conservation of

historical and cultural heritage should be highly pursued, seeing that the indigenous people

contribute to Filipino culture.

To achieve these strategies to preserve the cultural identities, stakeholders must acknowledge

and actively support their shortcomings and give initiatives that promote cultural preservation to

prevent disappearances of tradition and also open opportunities and access to essential services,

ensuring that educational practices, languages, and environmental conservation are

acknowledged and respected through all nations. There should be efforts in fostering a better

understanding of their customs and being aware of indigenous people's voices in their cries.

Recommendations

1. Improve government support for cultural preservation. The Republic Acts and other laws

should be followed when executing the government-created projects. Each program is

required to exhibit accountability and transparency, and each one needs to have

mechanisms in place to make sure that resources are being utilized effectively and that

stakeholders are kept involved in the process.

2. Educate the public about the importance of preserving indigenous culture. By cooperating

with the National Indigenous People’s Day on August 9, which was stated in R.A. 10689.
 As they are an integral part of the nation, their culture and tradition should be

continuously protected and promoted. Also, by knowing the R.A. 8371, and letting them

be known to the public, we will maintain the heritage of the indigenous people’s culture.

3. The researchers recommend prioritizing the proper implementation of the Indigenous

Peoples' Rights Act (IPRA) to ensure that its provisions are effectively enforced, rather

than merely discussing the legislation.

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Contribution of Members:

Calpo, Lanz Miko M. – Areas of Consideration and SWOT Analysis

Igama, James Benedict F. – Background of the Study, Statement of the Problem, and Objectives

Padua, Dustin John R. – Background of the Study, Statement of the Problem, and Objectives