A PEEK INTO ANOTHER WORLD

"If you don't know history, then you don't know anything. You are a leaf that doesn't
know it is part of a tree" a inspirational saying by Michael Crichton.
A museum is much more than a wide-spaced room full of fossils and dusty objects
from the past. It is a gateway through worlds and time, a repository of our tangible
heritage by which the intangible could be reckoned with by the present generation
and by those to come.
The SLU Museum of Arts and Cultures was pioneered by the late Prof. Florentino H.
Hornedo (1938-2015), a cultural historian a museum enthusiast. It has been around
since 1974, committed to the preservation and promotion of the rich and unique
cultures of the people of the Cordillera and forty years after it was erected, we, the
class of our Prof. Jeat B. Onongen, visited the staggering museum.
The Cordillera region is divided into five major ethno-linguistic
groups,Bontoc,Kalinga,Isneg,kankana-ey, and Ibaloi with each tribe having their own
organization, cultural expression and artistic skills . Their houses, for example, have
varying structure in accordance with the weather they they experience . In arid
places like Abra and Kalinga, they tend to build a more exposed home than those
living in humid regions. Miniatures of these architectural works can be seen upon
entering the room. Their native garments, 'bahag" for men and "tapis" for women,
(Traditional ware of Cordillerans) also have distinct weaving patterns that you could
literally pinpoint which group they're from just by the clothes they were. Together
with a number of accesories that make up their complete native attire, they call
them Isnag attire of Apayao, Tinguian attire of Abra, Gaddang attire of East Mt.
Province . Women of the Tribe are assigned for knitting job using tools made up of
bamboo and a yard of intricate fabric usually takes months to finish.
A common factor among these ethnic tribes is that they are pagans. Their religion is
based on ancestor worships and the veneration of spirits and gods of nature. Rice
deities are particularly revered. A section of the museum exhibit several of their
handmade statues called Bulul in standing, sitting and dancing positions. These
bululs are activated through ritual, the bulol guardian figures are believed to contain
spirits capable of ensuring abundant harvests, increasing rice yields and protecting
against catastrophe. The pairing of male and female is a fundamental feature of
Cordilleras ancestral art. These bulul guardians represent the harmonious union of
opposing elements, the protection of the tribes from the malevolent spirits and the
promise of good fortune.
Rituals and rites are also performed in abundance in every community in the north.
They have different ceremony for different causes and it was said that they do
seven rituals for the rice harvesting alone. Normally, these are done under the

supervision of a shaman called mumbaki of Ifugao or a mam-bunong of Benguet. A

shaman is considered as a tribal leader as well as priest who performed the rituals.
Leader are not elected but they emerge; the influenced of this traditional leadership
is immeasurable. He settle disputes, judge cases, determine punishment and
compensation, officiate marriages, handle separation and bury their dead, they
have final authority in matters which affect the entire community. Their role is not
limited in social matters; they also perform religious functions. He preside over
various religious rites and rituals, interpret dreams, diagnosed sickness, and
determine the cause of misfortune through divination and prescribe appropriate
rituals to correct situation. Canao is a highlight of religious celebration. It is offered
for various purposes: to celebrate as a religious and as part of funeral rite and to
secure healing. The Canao plays a vial role in reaffirming the existing order and the
status which has been determined in the spiritual world. It is also regarded as
means of influencing the gods and spirits to maintain the existing order. In addition,
they believe that fame, materials blessings, and good health are granted by the
gods and the ancestral spirits. Therefore, its is natural for them to view present
wealth as reward for their religious piety expressed through many canao sacrifices;
today's canao ensure tomorrows blessing.
People from cordillera are not only assiduous farmers where they spend most of
their time tilling lands and planting crops, they are also exceptional artists. This is
noticeably evident upon entering the museum, in their household tools, spoons with
carved handles, coffers with intricate designs, their statues, weapons, shields with
detailed engraves and many gears. Their art tattooing is remarkable and unique for
their patterns are drawn from wat they see in their environment such as trees,
mountains and waves. They say only warriors and heroes are privileged to have
them painted on their bodies.
An example of a hero covered with tattoo from head to foot is mummified 12th
century, Apo Anno Benguet leader. From the oral tradition of the kankana-eys, Apo
Anno is believed to be a demigod. His father is a human being , a hunter named
Togtogaka, while his biological mother is Kuyapon, a Tomangao (mountain spirit) in
human form at the time when she and Togtogaka conceived Anno. Because of
human scent, Kuyapon's father did not want him; hence, Kuyapon gave the child to
Togtogak. Togtogaka then took home the child to is wife, whom he cannot bear a
child with. As such, Anno is said to be a gift of the goddess to the couple . On the
verge of Apo Anno's death, records from the museum says that he dreamed of his
mother instructing him how he could stay with his people by mummifying his body.
What made it more interesting is that this specific cadaver disappeared around
1918 to 1920 when Americans were starting to erect structures in Benguet. It was
reported to been exhibited in a museum in Seattle, Washington sometime in the
late 1940's but in 1999,Apo Anno eventually returned to Benguet Thought the
efforts of the local officials.

The visit to the staggering museum was a new learning experience heightening our
interest and appreciation for the cultures and the passion to crave for more
knowledge about Cordillera. It made us realized the inadequacies of our knowledge
about our own heritage but it encourage and urged us to reconnect with out roots
and learn more.