Imbayah is a noble people's feast in Banaue, Ifugao, celebrated during the month of April every three years. It is a thanksgiving to their almighty Aliguyon, their local god for a bounty rice harvest. This grand festival is to preserve and revive the rich, noble, colorful and best cultural heritage of the Ifugao. The festival showcases different activities and products of the province, like wine-making, stone-walling and rice, our country's staple food.
Imbayah came from the word “Bayah,” meaning rice wine. “Bumayah” or “Imbuyah” implies abundance, the overflowing wine from their heirloom jars and a feast set for mortals and gods. Imbayahs were originally performed by the Elite Ifugaos back in the old times.
During the celebrations, villagers wear their ethnic dress or traditional wear. Ladies wear “tapis” (skirt) and they put on jewelries and accessories, while the chieftain wears the traditional g-string with his headgear and other paraphernalia. In the feast, you can see lots of tribal groups and hear native songs mingling with the air of merry-making and the beating of ancient gongs, while people around are dancing enthusiastically. At night, the whole community gather to dance, sing and listen to stories.
The festival holds an ethnic parade with street dancing wherein they bring out their treasures and antiques. This is followed by other activities like rice wine tasting contest, “hicha” (public lunch), backstrap weaving, wood carving presentations, catching of a greased pig, ethnic games which date back to the time of their forefathers, and musical performances featuring indigenous instrument. There are also amateur boxing and taekwondo tournaments, an exhibition game of volleyball in g-strings. Highlighting the festivities is the fascinating wooden scooter, which can only be found in Banaue.
The street dance competition is not as glamorous and choreographed like in other festivals, but the endurance of culture can be seen in their simple, natural, and personal dances. It is very obvious that they cherish and preserve their ancestral roots, despite the influx of urbanity in our country. Yes, some performances are more modern than before but the unique Ifugao style of dancing is always present. There are also beautiful chanting and singing of hymns to praise and please their god.
The participants have their own styles of costumes and props, most of which have elements of rice, garlic, wine, and their ethnic symbol. Some are wearing black hats adorned with corn fibers arranged like a broom. Other groups have body paints and different accessories. They have impressive native wear and creative headdresses.
Imbayah is held to promote preservation of the Ifugao cultural identity and heritage. Incidentally, Banaue has been conferred as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995. The festival also aims to foster exchange among the Ifugaos, its lowland brothers and foreign as well as domestic tourists. It projects the true character and spirit of the Ifugao as reflected in his arts, songs, dances, and games and hopefully results in greater appreciation and recognition of exotic and great people. It also promotes tourism development and draws attention to the socio-economic needs in the area and of the populace.
This festival is the way to unite local folks, their relatives and friends. They also inspire and evoke the creative spirit among the indigenous group and for them to show their culture to others and be proud of it. This event brings out the innate beauty and richness of the Ifugao culture and hope to pass it down to the younger generation in order to continue their unique culture and their strong bond among themselves and with nature.
How to get there
The province of Ifugao is reachable by riding a bus from Manila going to Baguio City. The trip will take more or less 9 hours. From Baguio, you can ride a jeep or a bus at Bontoc, main bus terminal in Baguio, located on Session Road (to the right, behind SM mall) going to Banaue.