LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- Kabayan folk opened the Bindiyan Festival in simple rites.
On April 1, the Association of Religious Leaders of Kabayan opened festivities with an ecumenical service ushering in month-long activities for the highland town.
The annual Bindiyan festival is themed: "It's more fun in Kabayan especially during the eco-tourism and Bindiyan Festival."
The festival is celebrated as part of a sacred ritual made during abundant harvest and a thanksgiving to the gods.
Councilor Salvador Aroco, who chairs the Committee on Tourism, led the owag ritual with an intermission number from the Kamura National High School Dance Troupe.
The festival features a cultural parade, agro-trade fair, indigenous games, dances, a fun run as well as agro industrial trade fairs which stretches out until May 3.
Provincial Board Member Robert Namoro was guest of honor and is also chairman of the Committee on Tourism.
Kabayan town, which houses Mt. Pulag, second highest mountain in the country, keeps cultural practices.
Mummification started to become a ritual here a century ago ending in the 1500s, when Spain colonized the Philippines and introduced Christianity.
The mummification process is different as internal organs of Benguet mummies are not removed keeping everything intact when mummified.
There is a belief the dead has to go to the afterlife with body parts complete to ensure safe journey.
In Kabayan town, burial caves house the departed and make for a thriving tourism come on.