Gotad ad Kiangan 2015

Gotad ad Kiangan is a 4-day festivity held every year in Kiangan, Ifugao to showcase local culture and arts. I missed the main events on May 1st, however, I am delighted to have attended the 3rd day of festivity which features ethnic games participated by the different barangays (suburbs) of Kiangan. The ethnic games, in older days, were held to decide matters which involves mostly land disputes.

(Participants of the Oggob game getting ready.)

First ethnic game held was the Oggob. Participants are males dressed in their traditional clothing called wano. Object of the game is to hit opponent's upper back area with a plant stalk. Basically it is like playing darts and your dartboard is your opponent's back.

(Oggob participant about ready to throw plant stalk dart to opponent's back.)

(The opponent missed hitting the upper back)

I was quite lucky enough to have a very good spot to shoot the above events. The mayor of Kiangan who is probably the most welcoming mayor in the Philippines let us use the veranda of his office to snap some photos.

(With Mayor Joselito Guyguyon.)

Second ethnic game played was the Hanggul or arm wrestling.

Third ethnic game played was Bultung or wresting. Object of the game is to throw opponent on it's back.

Third ethnic game was Ginnuyud or Tug of War.

(Ginnuyud participants.)