Rites and Rituals: the Begnas Festival

The celebration of the Begnas Festival (c) thetravelingdork

The festivals of Sagada are among the most unique – they are rare opportunities that a traveler should not dare miss, indeed. Apart from its being conducive for outdoor activity, it is in their livelihood and history that the large role of active lifestyle is exemplified: as in their ritual-based festivals.

Men marching towards the dap-ay (c) pyrotensive

The Begnas, also referred to as Rice Ritual, is a tradition that is celebrated 3-4 times annually patterned on the cultural calendar of Sagada. The natives believe that through these rituals, they will be blessed with good harvest. Men, women, the young and the old are all clad in traditional Igorot tribal clothes, as they make their way to the Dap-ays, or cultural centers.

As the men march, they carry with them pieces of pork being as offerings. The Sagadan women, meanwhile, would fall in line to hand down their offerings from a person to another until they reach the center.

Physical activity, indeed, is a huge component of the cultural preservation of Sagada. It is not only evident in festivals such as the Begnas, but also in the geography of Sagada itself. The man-made terraces, the physics behind the hanging coffins, and a lot more.

The natives donned in the tradtional Igorot costume (c) pyrotensive

Ultimately, Sagada is a place where people could exercise an active lifestyle, both through outdoor activities that demand power and endurance, and through those that promote preservation of such an interesting culture.  

Sources:
http://thetravellingdork.com/2012/01/video-witnessing-the-begnas-ritual/