KALINGA

KALINGA ARE THE PEACE-LOVING PEOPLE OF KALINGA PROVINCE. THEY ARE PART OF CORDILLERA AUTONOMOUS REGION NOT COLONIZED BY THE SPANIARDS. THE SOCIETY IS ORGANIZED INTO ENDOGAMOUS GROUPS STEMMING FROM BUDONG ALLIANCES. BECAUSE OF THEIR DRESS AND PERSONAL ORNAMENTATIONS, THE KALINGA HAVE BEEN DUBBED THE "PEACOCKS OF THE NORTH." THEIR OCTAGONAL HOUSE IN SOUTHERN KALINGA IS DISTINCTIVE, AS WELL AS THE PEACE PACTS THAT THEY ENTER INTO TO PRESERVE RELATIONSHIPS WITH NEIGHBORING GROUPS. - NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR CULTURE AND THE ARTS.

Jenny Bawer Young

Kalinga Culture Bearer

Lubuagan, Kalinga

Jenny Bawer Young was born and cradled by a family that bears the Kalinga traditional way of life. Since childhood, Jenny's parents and grandparents have been passing onto her and her siblings their knowledge on and practice of Kalinga traditional arts particularly Laga (backstrap weaving) music, chants and dances.

Jenny has performed and conducted Kalinga traditional arts workshops in her native Cordillera region, Metro Manila, Switzerland, Germany and in the US. Since immigrating to California with her family in 2006, Jenny has been a valuable resource on Kalinga culture for the Filipino American community, especially in the San Francisco area.

Jenny is a master weaver and is the driving force behind Kalingafornia Laga, a women's collective dedicated to the goal of preserving and promoting traditional Kalinga culture in the Bay area. Jenny's goal is the same as the goals of her ancestors: to sing, dance, weave, and preserve the ancient arts that made the Kalinga people special. Isolated from the outside world for centuries in the deep mist of the Cordillera, these practices need to be
shared to those who wants to celebrate the traditional way of the indigenous people.

Jenny's teachings and guidance has helped Parangal produce work presented or showcased at NBC Asian Pacific America, SF Ethnic Dance Festival, Folkmoot International Festival (North Carolina USA), Folkfaro International Festival (Portugal), Villablanca Festival (Spain), Merrie Monarch Festival Hilo, Hawaii, Latium Festival in Italy, Estefania Festival Barranquilla, Colombia, White House’s FAHM, performances in SF Bay Area and New York, and Padayon, Parangal’s 10th Anniversary show 2018, and Kyprassia, Greece in 2019.

KALINGA INSPIRED DANCES

GAYANG GAYANG

Depicts birds flying over the rice fertile lands and mountains in Kalinga

MANBUKA

Depicts villagers gathering and building their source of life, the fertile rice terraces

KALASAG

Kalasag meaning shield portrays the strength of Kalinga warriors protecting their community. The sacred Kalinga tattoo, chaklag, on the men's chest, earned after a successful headhunt expedition.

BODONG

Gathering of Kalinga elders or Pangat in a peace pact called Pagta. The Pangat is a leader of community achievement, development and welfare, and peace and order. They are also source of wisdom, wearing distinct apparels as symbol of authority and revernce behind their personalities.

LILAY

Symbolizes unity in marriage or within the community. Each representative of the family or community brings offerings or gifts.

SEGSEG

A ritual dance to open any celebration, such as a fiesta or wedding or any ceremony, to drive away evil spirits and to enlighten feelings.

CHALLICHOG

This is a stamping dance, or the dance of the rice terraces. After a rice terrace is constructed and during the ritual ceremony, men and women stamp their feet at the rice paddies to prevent erosion and to pray for an abundant harvest.