Ifugao celebrates 50th founding anniversary

LAGAWE, Ifugao, Philippines – Thousands of ethnic tribe members and tourists are expected to witness today’s celebration of Ifugao province’s 50th founding anniversary. 

All of Ifugao’s 11 towns will also serve for free their own brew of baya (rice wine) using the ungot (coconut or bamboo glass) to interested local and international tourists.

Some Ifugao natives will also butcher and cook their animals in front of spectators in the traditional way – watok for carabaos and wekwek for pigs – before serving a free meal. 

The seven-day festivity, dubbed as “Gotad ad Ifugao,” kicked off on Independence Day and will end today. 

Also highlighted in the celebrations are the indigenous games like bultung (native wrestling), hinukkting (leg wrestling), uggub (human dart), batawil (rice/palay race), caba (basket race), and the akkad guyyudan (tug-of-war).

The event also features a marathon for men on G-strings, competitions for woodcarving and loom weaving, and the search for Mr. and Ms. Gotad (Bugan ya Wigan di Gotad 2016).

Gov. Denis Habawel said this year’s theme is “Hagiyo Ifugao (Long Live Ifugao)” to showcase the Ifugao history, culture and traditions.