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Tribal Communities
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Itneg
By Jose "Pitoy" Moreno
Philippine Costume |
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 ingguian
is derived from the term "Tingue",
which means mountaineers. Tingguian, therefore,
refers to "The People of the Mountains". Itneg
is what Tinnguians are known in the Samtoy (Ilocano)
dialect.
Itneg have a common culture, custom, costumes,
rituals, beliefs, idiosyncrasies, and ethnic values with
only slight variations. They wear their hair in a tuft
on the crown of the head. Itneg inclined to white as a
"common denominator" color. The white Itneg tapis
was matched by the white
Itneg g-string, although important individuals and
significant occasions require a deep indigo blue for certain
loincloths and tapis. Sometimes, deeply colored silks were
incorporated in g-strings and sashes. But in their blankets
- made out of technologies learned from their Ilokano
neighbors - they allowed themselves the most brilliant hues.
The
religion of the Tingguians revolves around beliefs
pertaining to creation and superstitions centering around
the anito, an omnipotent being which exercises
absolute control over humankind. Itnegs regard Bagatulayan
as their sumpreme God, who has absolute control over the
behavior of his subjects and punishes anyone who disregards
his laws and commands. He is followed by Kadaklan,
who enforces the decrees of Bagatulayan to the
letter. The third-ranked Tingguian deity
is Kabonian, who is the benevolent one.
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