by: Jean Trinidad
The Bugkalots subsist on the kaingi system of agriculture with root crops as their main product. Their main occupation is hunting wild game in the forest and Conwap rivers head stream of the mighty Cagayan river. The group found along the banks of the Casecnan river is known as the Italon tribe whose members are of regular build and with Mongolian features such as narrow slanting eyes and acquiline nose. The Bugkalots found along the rivers of Bua and Tubo and a part of Conwap speak Ilocano culture. This group is found in Kasibu, Nueva Vizcaya.
Presently, no less than 5,000 Bugkalot head families reside in the aforementioned provinces. Although they live far apart from another, their iguistic similarities, customs and arts show that they belong to one distinct group.
The Bugkalots are known for their colorful attire, musical instruments and artifacts which are shown in their blow-up pictures in museums patronized by foreign tourists in Eastern and Western Europe Their popular festive dance is called baleleng. Their most hideous ritual which rallies all Bugkalots, male and female , is seen in the buayat, but this is not shown to the Christians.
Source:
Katutubo Directory, A Global YES Event for the UN Decade of Indigenous People
