LARA, Kit B.

BSN-II

Sociology and Anthropology 9:00-10:30 M-S S-508

June 14, 2016
CORDILLERAN; ILOCANO

Background
The Ilocanos are the third largest ethnolinguistic group in the Philippines. The term Ilocano was
derived from the words i- (from) and looc (cove or bay), which when combined means People of the
bay. They were also referred to as Samtoy, which is a contraction of the phrase sao mi ditoy (this is our
language). The Ilocanos are Austronesian-people / Austronesian-speaking people. The Ilocano dialect is
related to the languages Indonesian, Malay, Fijian, Maori, Hawaiian, Malagasy, Samoan, Tahitian,
Chamorro, Tetum and Paiwan. Today, the Ilocano dialect is the third most spoken language in the
Philippines. When the Spanish first encountered them in 1572, the inhabitants of Ilocos (then called
"Samtoy") were living in large villages at sheltered coves or rivermouths and were trading with the
Chinese and Japanese. Although massive churches in a distinctive style give evidence of Spanish-Ilocano
collaboration, the colonial period was marked by frequent revolts; the most famous of these was that led
by Diego and Gabriela Silang during the British occupation of Manila in 176263.

Unusual practices or beliefs

1. Infancy
If the kajyanak (newborn) has physical defects, he is given a hair washing rite presided over by a folk
healer. If the defect is not healed, the family accepts the baby's condition and views it as a sign of good
luck. The child's sleeping position is the subject of his parents' special attention because of certain
meanings associated with each particular position. It is said that if the baby sleeps float on his belly on the
floor or bed, bad luck or hardship will befall the family. If the baby gnashes his teeth, he is said to have
parasites in his body. When the baby begins to turn around and roll, the parents are advised not to help
him, for it is believed that if they do, the baby will be too dependent on them when he grows up. It is
usually at the end of the fourteenth month when the baby is considered strong enough and allowed to walk
by him.
2. Death
To the Ilocanos, gasat (fate) detemines their life on earth. The Ilocanos have traditionally believed
that most of man's illnesses are caused by spirits. Death is often preceded by omens such as a black
butterfly which enters a house at night or during an eclipse. When a person is dying, an old woman is
usually called in to pray and attend to him. Sometimes, a coconut shell is placed under the dying man's
bed so that everyone in the room may hear the angel and the devil fighting for possession of the man's
soul. When a man dies, an atong (burning piece of wood) is placed in front of the gate of his house. This
announces a death in the family to spirits and the living alike.

References:
http://www.seasite.niu.edu/tagalog/folk_beliefs/ilocano_folk_beliefs.htm
http://www.ilocanopeople.com/history-of-ilocanos/