Bago tribe of Ilocos Sur’s Namunganayan Festival

SUYO, Ilocos Sur – The Bago tribe in this upland municipality featured eight life-size icons of animals made of bamboo and rice hay in a bid to lure more local and foreign tourists to the 4th Namunganayan Festival.

Namunganayan, which mean “beginning” is a traditional practice that showcases the good relationships among the people.

“In the present time, several of us have us forgotten where we came from especially relating to our practices. Through our featival, we want to revive and orient our youth the value of caring for the culture and tradition that we grew up with,’ said Suyo, Ilocos Sur Mayor Samuel Subangan, Jr.

He added that the festival will help boost the economy of the upland, 4th class municipality, mostly populated by members of the Bago tribe.

He said the residents thought of the festival to encourage tourists who are nature lovers to visit the town located at the foot of the historic Besang Pass.

Suyo is endowed with natural tourist attractions. Among them are eco-tourism areas and trekking on the mountains of Tapao, Balungabing and Tibek, Vagina Falls, “Sangbay ni Ragsak Falls,” Darawa Falls, Burayok Falls, Talino Falls and Kumanibe Falls.

Also included are historic sites like the left foot Print of Angalo, “Bantay” (mountain) Calvario, The Church Cave, Kinapian Shrine, Cumyeng young mountain and the Besang Pass Memorial Park.

Subangan said the festival closes on December 14 but even after that, the Animal (Hay) Village will continue to be seen up to the rainy season for the benefit of tourists and local tourism.