BAGUIO, Philippines – Whenever we think of culture, what usually pops up in our minds are food, clothing, and dances. The Cordilleran community goes beyond these things. Even games, commonly associated with children, are a vital part of their lives.

It’s not a childish activity for them, though, but a matter of preserving their ancestral knowledge by ensuring that the youth among them continue playing the games.

In the just-concluded Indigenous Peoples’ Month of October, the 12th edition of the Gong Festival was held in Baguio City, featuring various IP games participated in by several cultural groups.

“The main goal [of Lumlumfis or the indigenous games activity] is to preserve culture and encourage the young generation to be involved, to know their identities, so they could learn from their elders,” Handiong Capuno, an Igorot and one of the organizers of the event, said in a mix of English and Filipino.

Lumlumfis, meaning “race” in Kalinga, was an event organized on October 13 as part of the 12th Gong Festival.

Featured were not the usual traditional Filipino games we might think of. Every year, the organizers ensure that indigenous beliefs and traditions are woven into the games. From using traditional materials and wearing cultural attires to listening to indigenous stories, solving tattoo puzzles, and more, everything seems natural, unique, and innovative — exactly as they aim for.

“The games are very traditional, but we’ve mixed them with innovation while still keeping them connected to our culture,” Capuno said.

Capuno said that playing such games is open to everyone because ancestral knowledge is for all the Filipinos, not just for IPs. However, he reminded that wearing cultural attire is a requirement for participating in these games at their event as they also promote the proper wearing of traditional clothing.

Moreover, for Chao Lua, another organizer, the race extends beyond its goal of sharing ancestral knowledge. “There are other factors to learn: sportsmanship, teamwork, and coordination,” he said.

Let’s take a peek at some of the featured indigenous games in Lumlumfis (which you might also want to try next time)!

Kadang-kadang

We’ve probably seen such an activity at least once in our lives. It is an outdoor racing game that requires balance, agility, and, of course, teamwork. To play, the players must reach the other station using a bamboo kadang. Players should step on the designated platform on the bamboo and walk with it. 

Ginayang chi paur (Shooting of runo)

Now, consider your ability to measure distance because it is crucial in this game. Runo sticks are distributed to teams. They must throw the pieces of runo into the standing bamboos in the field. 

Banga race

In another game requiring balance, team members must fill a banga or jar with water and balance it on their heads while walking towards the container. The team must pour the water into the container. The first to fill the entire water container wins.

Mandeka (Gong painting)

As the Cordillera celebrates the Gong Festival, gongs are naturally included! From the name itself, mandeka or gong painting involves painting a drawing of a gong — but with a twist. The gong illustration is drawn on a large sheet of paper placed on a flat surface. The paint brush has several strings attached to it. Players cannot touch the strings; they hold one end of their string with one hand and coordinate their movements to paint the gong on the paper. They can adjust the strings as needed to refine the color. To finish, the painting should have no white spots remaining and be clearly colored.

Laga (Weaving)

Each team receives leaves that they must weave using only one hand. They weave simultaneously to create a mat with leaves vertically and horizontally. Coordination is essential here as well to create a neat and complete weaving.

Gayaman (Centipede)

Centipedes may sound scary, but, in this game, it could be fun! Team members must form a line, with each person holding onto the ankles of the person in front of them, creating a human “centipede.” The group must work together to travel as a “centipede.”

After getting an idea of these IP games, are you ready to expand your ancestral knowledge and try these unique games? If you’re curious if they’re fun, they definitely are!

According to Rhenzelle Dave Morano, one of the members of the green team who won first place during the race, it was his first time but he had a lot of fun, especially with his group’s teamwork. 

“Nakakapagod, pero maganda at masaya po (It’s tiring, but it’s a beautiful, fun experience),” Morano said.

Well, the pictures say it all! – Rappler.com

Lyndee Buenagua is a third year college student and campus journalist from the University of the Philippines Baguio. The former editor in chief of Highland 360, a Baguio-based publication, she is also an Aries Rufo Journalism fellow of Rappler for 2024.