Salakniban ti Kultura! (Protect our culture!)

Salakniban ti Kultura!
(Protect our culture!)
A photo essay

Posted by CenPEG

For two days, the youth of Cordillera in northern Philippines held a two-day cultural and solidarity gathering dubbed, “Ipannakel kultura a nakabigbigan, padur-asen, aywanan ken salakniban!” (simple translation: Take pride in our indigenous culture; promote, nurture, and defend)

Held at the Maryknoll ecological sanctuary in Baguio City, the gathering was a cultural exchange where indigenous peoples’ elders, artists, and performers held workshops for young students. As one of the highlight activities of Tribal Filipino Week, the gathering sought to stir consciousness among the indigenous youth about the rich cultural heritage, traditional knowledge, and historic struggles in the Cordillera.

It was also a medium of empowering the people in their continuing quest for genuine self-determination from centuries-old colonialism and national oppression.

The cultural exchange was organized by Dap-ayan ti Kultura iti Kordilyera, Cordillera People's Alliance, Regional Ecumenical Council in the Cordillera, and Maryknoll Ecological Santuary.

Photos taken during the event depict indigenous costumes, musical instruments, and dance performances.

Igorot costumes from Abra, Benguet, Ifugao, Mt. Province, Kalinga, and Apayao (CenPEG photo)

Gangsa (gongs), the main indigenous percussion instruments beaten for “takik” sound (CenPEG photo)

A local artist plays a balingbing and bamboo nose flute (CenPEG photo)

Young Igorot dancers perform pat-tong or solibao (CenPEG photo)

A lone red gumamela flower amidst pine trees shrouded by mist (CenPEG photo)