The Ayangan Tribe of Ifugao

The Ayangan Tribe is an important tribe in the province of Ifugao, Philippines. They form the majority of the people in at least three municipalities (Lamut, Asipulo, and Aguinaldo) and arguably in 3 other municipalities (Lagawe, Kiangan, and Mayoyao). The seat of the tribe however is in Ducligan, a barangay of Banaue Municipality and the surrounding barangays. These barangays are the main origin of the Ayangan diaspora.

Ifugao Province is composed of 11 municipalities, namely: Aguinaldo,Alfonso Lista, Asipulo, Banaue, Hingyon, Hungduan, Kiangan, Lagawe, Lamut, Mayoyao, and Tinoc. There are three important tribes in the province. Aside from the Ayangans, the other two are Tuwali and Kalanguya.

The Ayangans are distinct from the other two tribes in language and other cultural aspects such as dance and beliefs. They are called derisively as Illagud, Ifiahe, or Iyayangan. At present, however, the Ayangan people are proud of their cultural identity. They are also more united than ever and are now a political force to reckon with. Though they have long ago clamored for a municipality they can call their own, none of the political leaders have taken them seriously.

Like the other two tribes, the Ayangan people have ventured outside their province and are now important tribal residents in the nearby provinces particularly Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, and Isabela.

A view from Barangay Ducligan

 

    The Ayangan people are normal people and many of them have become professionals, officials and leaders.

Map of Ifugao (Credit: By Sanglahi86 - File:PhlMapCit.svg by User:Felipe_Airaderivative work: Sanglahi86, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=38361829)