From a traditional ritual observed by Ifugao forefathers, it has become a festival of the people of the municipality of Lagawe showcasing the unique cultural identity that hopefully will be passed on to the next generation.
On April 22-24, people from the 20 barangays converged at the center town to once again celebrate the municipal festival dubbed “Kulpi ad Lagawe” with the theme, “One Vision, One Lagawe.”
Kulpi Ad Lagawe was celebrated successfully supported by all local officials and the community as a whole with various activities like cultural parade, agro- industrial fair, ball games including ethnic sports like “bultong” (wrestling), “hangul” (arm wrestling), “guyyudan” (tug-of-war) and the like.
According to Mayor Martin Habawel, Jr., a fiesta is one of the events celebrated in traditional society that depicts the rich cultural heritage and traditions nurtured even with the advent of innovation and transformation.
“Kulpi” is a part of the rice planting festival of the Ifugaos. This is a ritual performed after the “boge” (rice planting) to ask the gods and spirits to protect the rice against diseases and pestilence and ensure a bountiful harvest.
The planting season usually starts after the new moon called “kilingna” appears in the month of January. By the end of February, the last field in the village shall have been planted with palay and the “kulpi” will start.
“Kulpi” continues when the owners of the “payo” (rice field) prepare the “baya” rice wine and it usually starts at the “alang” (rice granary) or house of the richest man with the widest field in the village.
To signify the start of the ritual, a villager blows the “tangguyub” (horn) that means that the day of rest and merry-making starts and no one is allowed to go to work in the fields or kaingin.
“Mumbaki” (native priests) begin the ritual by invoking the soul of all the dead ancestors of the family or clan as far back as the fifth or sixth generation; then they call upon the “munkontad” (messenger gods) to call the gods and goddesses to accept the sacrificial offerings and bless the “payo”.
“Kulpi” is performed from one house to another or from one granary to another that will end at the last granary where the “mumbaki” narrates the Solomonic prayer.
In high regard for this tradition, the Kulpi has been adopted as municipal festival of Ifugao’s capital town as a thanksgiving for the many blessings, and as a way of preserving the rich cultural heritage and good values passed on by their ancestors. **JDP/MBL- PIA CAR, Ifugao with report from LGU-Lagawe
