Philouise’s Weblog

BEGNAS and the parties we have these present days

This week we had a series of parties to attend, organize and participate in. My husband and I were discussing how “eat and run” “entako et adi, ta nalpas tako et ay nangan” syndrome has proliferated in these present times.  We lack the grace to continue fellowship or friendly visit with the host family or other guests or family.

In one party we attended, the people left right after the meal and the celebrant was not even able to address the guests. We were one of the last to leave and as we did so, we met the musicians who were supposed to perform. We did not know if they did perform as there were only a few people left behind.  At one party we attended, right after the prayer, even before the cooks had a chance to serve all the food, the people were already lined up at the buffet table to get their food. The cook finished cooking the other food and served them when half of the people were already eating. The people did not have the patience to wait.

I remember the parties my mother gave, we would have people coming to help butcher the pig and also staying after the party to help wash dishes and pots and clean up the area. There were always talks, laughter and teasing going around during the party and it would at times continue on until the late evening. People would be leaving after a prolonged period of time, bonding with friends and family.

Today, it has come to a point that a party centers on the food, and not the fellowship or community and friendship building.

The “Begnas”  is the most common Igorot party celebrated in the “ili” before and even until now,  it is an Igorot word that refers to thanksgiving or offering rituals. It’s their way of celebrating and giving thanks for blessings received. Begnas is celebrated ear round on various occasions, times and different manner.

According toDinah Elma Piluden-Omengan in her book, “Death and Beyond.” She talks about Sagada and noted a local calendar with certain holidays based on farming cycles and other community activities.

The Sagada  local calendar starts in Kilalaw (which is approximately January) and followed by Opok (February), Bakakew (March), Kitkiti (April), Kiyang (May), Panaba (June), Bandaway (July), Adogna (August), Pogpogew (September), Kiling (October), Liponed (November) and Inana (December).  There were several feasts like the “Begnas di Do-ok” when the rice fields turn heavy and golden with ripe grains between Kiyang (May) and Panaba (June), Sagada folk celebrate a major feast—the “Begnas di Do-ok.” During this feast, elders again invoke and thank the gods and spirits for a good harvest.

During the begnas feast of certain villages, they observe a three or five-day ngilin (rest) during which villagers take a break from their farms, especially their rice fields. For two nights of the ngilin, villagers play gongs as others dance to the gongs’ beat and rhythms.  There are strict rules that the community observe during these festivities.

In these times, I continue to be amazed as how our parties are being done. Most parties are such that when one is invited, he brings someone along; my husband is still having culture shock on this one. And when they go home after the meal there is a bag they carry which is either food or dog food. Earlier I was so shocked on how much food is prepared, and it is because there is an allowance for take home food as well as dog food. It is amazing that someone takes a whole fish and then takes two bites and then it is packed for take-out or for the kitten at home.

I believe we can still improve on our sense of community. Our people in olden times take active part in the party during the preparation until it is finally over. During my stint as a city councilor I had committed same fault of “eat and run” and it does not speak well of our sense of community and propriety. Much still has to be done to orient our people; it is downright embarrassing how we do act during these parties. Not like the begnas where the elders lay down the rules and demand strict compliance of the people, when they say there is a two day ngilin (rest) then it is so and when they say it will be a sports activity to be done, then it will be so. In these present day festivities, it lacks the proper decorum. We need to improve on our character and spirit.

Why is one invited to a party? Do guests have a responsibility when they honor the invitation of a host and attend his/her party? (October 11, 2013)