Ifugao town and coop invite folks in the launching of Mumbaki tourism

By Vency D. Bulayungan

Thursday 10th of May 2012

HINGYON, Ifugao, May 10 (PIA) -- The local government unit (LGU) here and the Ifugao Global Entrepreneurs Multi-Purpose Cooperative (IGEMCO) invite the public in the launching of the community-based tourism which will feature an ancient mumbaki (native priest) tradition in the province known as “Ballihung.”

This activity will jumpstart this year’s town fiesta dubbed as “Gotad ad Hingyon” set on May 9 to 11, featuring different cultural activities and showcasing indigenous products and their One-Town, One-Product, the 'tinawon' or the Ifugao native rice.

It also seeks to promote the rich culture of the place and eventually boost tourism industry of the town that will uplift the economic conditions of the populace.

Bullihung is an ancient culture of the mumbaki, which features the Ifugao tradition of getting to know their future partner in life. It is done by the rich mumbaki family when there are available young man ready to be wed known as “bulaki in ginid," or a young woman ready to be wed known as “madidikit.” They invite all the people in the place especially the “bulalaki in ginid” (gentlemen) and the "madidikit" (ladies) to participate and witness the celebration.

The celebrant will choose among the invited bulalaki in ginid in case of a lady or from among the madidikit, in case of a gentleman. The chosen lady will release her valuable necklace known as "inipul" to the gentleman to show her voluntary love and affection if the gentleman proposes to the lady and they exchange moma ya hapid as the two mutually agree as a married couple.

Mayor Mario Buyuccan believes that this is one way of imparting to the young generation the beliefs and practices of their ancestors that are unique.

Other activities of the town fiesta are parade around the town, street dancing competitions, opening program, native rice wine contest, and other cultural sports activities such as "hanggul (arm wrestling), bultong (wrestling). (VDB PIA/CAR-Ifugao)