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A View Into the Customs and Cultures of the Itawes Community
The word itawes comes from the prefix I-, which means "people of," and the word tawid-, which means "across the river." The settlements along the lower Chico and Matalag Rivers in Cagayan are home to the majority of the Itawes communities. The towns of Enrile, Iguig, Peñablanca, Tuao, Piat, Tuguegarao, Amulung, and Sto are where you may find them in the province of Cagayan. Alcala, Baggao, Rizal, Niño, and Solana. Living side by side with the Ibanags and Ilocanos in these places, the Itawes frequently adopted and spoke the Ibanag language, which became their common tongue. As a result, the Ibanag and Itawes' cultures appeared to be very different from one another. The Itawes go by a number of names, including "Itawit," "Itawiq," "Tawish," "Itawi," "Itaves," and "Itabes."
Itawes tribes are primarily located in the Cagayan Valley in the northern Philippines. It appears that farming is the main source of their income. Furthermore, about half of them work in forestry, fishing, hunting, and other related fields. The Itawes practiced animism before the Spanish invaded our nation and attempted to convert them to Catholicism. However, the Itawes resisted the invaders and the Spaniards ultimately won. The Itawes call their gods "Santo." For them, saints are everything; it is where they go to be guided, blessed, and protected. They act as their guardians, intercessors, and protectors.
They are recognized for their hardworking nature, with a belief that diligence leads to abundance, as reflected in the quote "YA MATALAKAG MAKKAPAG, YA NALLAPAT MASSAPAT."
Traditionally, the Itawes communities coexist with the Ibanags and Ilocanos, often adopting the Ibanag language as their standard dialect. This linguistic influence has contributed to the distinct cultural identity of the Itawes people. They are known by various names such as "Itawit," "Itawiq," "Tawish," "Itawi," "Itaves," and "Itabes."
The Itawes are characterized by their strong work ethic, willingness to toil day and night to provide for their families, and their presence in towns like Enrile, Iguig, Peñablanca, Tuao, Piat, Tuguegarao, Amulung, Sto. Niño, Solana, Rizal, Alcala, and Baggao. Despite their close proximity and cultural interactions with the Ibanags and Ilocanos, the Itawes maintain a unique cultural heritage that sets them apart within the region.
SOME OF THEIR BELIEFS ARE:
“BAWAL MAG WALIS PAG GABI”
“BAWAL MAG WALIS PAG GABI”
As the old People say, it is prohibited to sweep at night because they believe that you will throw away the luck.
As the old People say, it is prohibited to sweep at night because they believe that you will throw away the luck.
MAG LAAN NG PAGKAIN (ATANG) PARA SA MGA KAMAG ANAK NA PUMANAW NA”
MAG LAAN NG PAGKAIN (ATANG) PARA SA MGA KAMAG ANAK NA PUMANAW NA”
When there’s an occasion don’t forget to set aside some food for the relatives that has passed away as a sign for their love for them though they are already dead.
When there’s an occasion don’t forget to set aside some food for the relatives that has passed away as a sign for their love for them though they are already dead.
“PAG MAY NAKITA KANG ITIM NA PUSA MAY MANG YAYARI SAYONG MASAMA”
“PAG MAY NAKITA KANG ITIM NA PUSA MAY MANG YAYARI SAYONG MASAMA”
The Itawes people believed that whenever you encounter a black cat, expect that you will experience bad luck.
The Itawes people believed that whenever you encounter a black cat, expect that you will experience bad luck.
“BAWAL MAG SALAMIN PAG MAY PATAY”
“BAWAL MAG SALAMIN PAG MAY PATAY”
Certain traditional practices are observed when there is a funeral. Members of the immediate family are prohibited from bathing, combing their hair, and sweeping the floor, looking on the mirror.
Certain traditional practices are observed when there is a funeral. Members of the immediate family are prohibited from bathing, combing their hair, and sweeping the floor, looking on the mirror.
” PAG MAY NABASAG KANG SANTO MAG DASAL KA”
” PAG MAY NABASAG KANG SANTO MAG DASAL KA”
Whenever you accidentally break one of the images of the saints you should immediately surrender it to the church and pray. Because it can give bad luck to you and your family.
Whenever you accidentally break one of the images of the saints you should immediately surrender it to the church and pray. Because it can give bad luck to you and your family.
“PAG HAHANDA TUWING PISTA”
“PAG HAHANDA TUWING PISTA”
We celebrate fiesta even if they dont have much money to buy some food. They will find a way to earn money just to celebrate.
We celebrate fiesta even if they dont have much money to buy some food. They will find a way to earn money just to celebrate.
Other Beliefs:
When a member of the family dies. A lot of rules and values are followed. All of them are meant to prevent any sort of bad luck from coming to the people of that community especially the family.
The members of the immediate family is prohibited to bath, comb, sweep to bereft their sympathy to the dead.
During the labor of the mother, it is advisable to use hardwood as a tool to illuminate cooking fires for the offspring to become strong . the afterbirth is dug and burrowed underneath the drinking jar to ensure that the child will always accommodate his or her emotions.
ITAWES BELIEFS ON BURIAL
Itawes have customs and beliefs regarding funerals.According to one of their funeral customs, you should not see a pig being killed because you would have epilepsy, the itawes believed. Additionally, Itawes had the opinion that you should avoid eating anything that is circular or macaroni since you would develop a cyst that will be incurable even by medical professionals. Additionally, never barbecue a chicken's guts since you will kill your entire family doing so. Papayas will give you a shaky morning star every time, so avoid eating them
According to their customs, parents arranged for a wedding. The boy's first step is to send a formal communication, or carta formal, to the girl's parents, indicating his sincere desire to marry their daughter. They will move forward with the wedding arrangements once the woman's parents and other family members have approved the contents of the formal carta. The wedding can be a church ceremony officiated by a priest or a civil marriage officiated by hues or judge of the peace. Following the wedding, there will be a feast, and the couple will have to live in the daughters' home until they can construct their own home.
According to their customs, parents arranged for a wedding. The boy's first step is to send a formal communication, or carta formal, to the girl's parents, indicating his sincere desire to marry their daughter. They will move forward with the wedding arrangements once the woman's parents and other family members have approved the contents of the formal carta. The wedding can be a church ceremony officiated by a priest or a civil marriage officiated by hues or judge of the peace. Following the wedding, there will be a feast, and the couple will have to live in the daughters' home until they can construct their own home.
The wedding date will be scheduled once the girl's parents and other family members have agreed on the official carta's contents. Different expressions are used throughout the wedding rituals. For example, three weeks before to the wedding, the couple visits to their parish church for confession and presents themselves to the priest for guidance. This phrase is called "PASINGAAN," which means "to show" or "present." There are two types of wedding ceremonies: "misa," which is a church ceremony led by a priest, and "sibil," which is a wedding ceremony led by a hues (a judge). Next comes the most anticipated part of the wedding: the wedding day, or kalgawan na boda. Additionally, the pair must reside in the girl's household for at least a year following their marriage.
The Itawes Tribe celebrates their wedding with a "gala gala," a culturally significant event. This celebration includes traditional ceremonies, dances, music, and attire, all of which symbolize the couple's union and the blessings of their families and community.
The ceremony includes the exchange of vows, blessings from elders, and symbolic cords. The event also involves community involvement, with friends, family, and members of the tribe coming together to socialize, share stories, and strengthen bonds.
FOODS
There are some foods that we wonder and not to expect that can be eaten. Mostly Itawes people used to eat unusual or exotic foods. Let’s see some of their exotic foods and try them!
TRADITIONAL DRESSES
Their traditional dresses are colorful with red being the dominant color.
TRADITIONAL DANCES OF ITAWES TRIBE
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