By Penelope A. Domogo, MD
Two weeks ago, I had the wonderful opportunity to attend the first day of the Sagada town fiesta popularly called “Etag Festival”. This time is also the Feast of the Purification of Mary and Presentation of Jesus in the Temple which the Church of St. Mary the Virgin in Sagada celebrates. I usually avoid the fiesta programs thinking that they are just talks. You know, politicians’ talk. But I was in for a pleasant surprise. There were only a few talks and Congressman Sonny Mangaoang, as guest speaker, gave a very insightful and inspirational message. Gosh, I was surely inspired thus our topic this issue! I learned, among other things, that the purification of Mary and the presentation of Jesus at the temple occurred 40 days after Jesus’ birth. Hmm, it seems 40 days is a significant number in Jewish life. In his sermon during the mass preceding the program, Padi Daniel Longatan also reminded us about the exodus of the Jews from Egypt, travelling for 40 years to the promised land in Canaan.
Going back to Mary, what she and Joseph did was to follow the tradition of the Jews as contained in the Book of Moses. (Good for them that their traditions were cast in a book, unlike Igorot traditions which are oral.) It is very fitting then for the municipality of Sagada to celebrate at the same time its Etag Festival because this is also a celebration of a tradition. Etag is one icon of the Igorot, the Igorots in western Mountain Province in particular. When we say “etag”, immediately memories of family, home, pinikpikan, the hearth or “dapuan”, etc. come to mind. And we feel the warmth of home and the “ili.” Contrary to what some people say, “etag” does not mean that Igorots love to eat meat. The tradition of “etag” shows that Igorots can eat pork and that they eat it sparingly. I repeat, they eat it sparingly. Remember that, then, pigs were organic and of the native breed so they were small. And yet, not all the meat butchered were eaten! Kasi where did the “etag” come from? Remember also that there was no market then and meat was not sold per kilo. So how come there was “etag”? Well, in Igorot indigenous tradition, animals were butchered only on special occasions. During these occasions, some of the meat is given out to relatives and neighbors and to the elders who did the rituals (who, usually, are relatives also). Take note, these meat given out are not all eaten, especially those given to elders. These are preserved with a lot of salt and dried and smoked and this becomes our delicious “etag” in the future. When a baby is born, when a couple is wed, etc, these “etag” are brought out and shared. As what Congressman Mangaoang said, “etag”, as a tradition, shows how Igorots “prepare for the future” and “assures Sagada families that there is food in every table during special occasions for both the family and guests.” So next time you have a party, remember to give “bingit” to the elders, neighbors and relatives. For another thing, this will assure you and your family that you will not overdose on meat.
Etag is heavily-salted thus this ensures that one does not eat a lot of “etag”. (That high salt content will damage your kidneys.) If fresh meat was eaten sparingly, “etag” was eaten in even less quantity. In our interviews in the past, we were told that “etag” could last for 5 years. Five years! Meaning they used a small piece on the occasions which were then not as numerous as what we have now. Nowadays, we butcher pigs or chicken during birthdays, graduation, baptisms and many other occasions that we can think of. Meat overdose, really.
The indigenous tradition of “etag”, therefore, is a wonderful heritage embodying the value of sharing with others and saving for the future, the value of moderation, the value of living in harmony with family and community and environment. All these, in turn, nurture our well-being, in the wholistic sense. All these blessings are what Sagada would pass on to its sons and daughters. And with these in Sagada, tourists would discover wellness and wholeness and the joy of living.
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“Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands..” 1 Thessalonians 4:11
