Rain dance performed in Bontoc

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – Ventura Bitot, cultural worker for the Mountain Province said locals have been performing the “manerwap” or rain dance to save the province from drought.

“We have performed the dance in the respective villages since the dry spell,” he said.

Click here for Election 2010 updates

In the Cordillera, manerwap is done in times of severe drought. The ritual is endemic to the people of Bontoc imploring Kabunian (God) to open the sky and allow raindrops to water the rice terraces and the mountains.

Offerings of salted meat, rice wine are made by farmers to appease the gods and implore for rain.

Bitot said in the province, there are a host of traditional beliefs merge with the newer customs. “We pray for the preservation of the watersheds among others.”

Bitot said the performance of the local rain dance and other rituals is a way of bonding of the different tribes and villages. “It enhances the bayanihan spirit and promotes unity,” Bitot said.

Provincial Tourism Officer, Roger Sacyaten said El Niño has only hit Paracelis town, which incurred P74 million in damages to corn crops alone.

“The rice terraces we have are still intact, we have our indigenous water systems to save them from the drought,” Sacyaten said.

No damage has so far been reported to the mountains in the area.

The indigenous dance coaxes the gods for a favor. “This is practiced in the Central part of Bontoc, offerings of pigs and chickens are given,” Bitot said.

The upcoming 6th Lang Ay festival will open with the playing of the gongs as well performance of the “Begnas” with community elders praying for a good harvest.

The festival will open with a “Tucab” or an invocation for the gods for a successful festival.

Another ritual, the “Daw-es” will be performed for the elections to pray for peace during the upcoming May polls. (Malen Catajan)