BIBAK BC Grand Canao & Anniversary
We celebrate the Annual BIBAK BC Canao and Anniversary at Burnaby’s Foreshore Park
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Kanyaw
Cañao In A Nutshell; Yesterady And Today
“The people of the Cordilleras have been practicing the age-old socio-religious ritual, Cañao or Kanyaw. Traditionally held as a thanksgiving rite to their God, Kabunian. It usually involves the sacrifice of animals (e.g pig, chicken, carabao) led by a village elder or a native priest. The bile of the sacrificed animal is read as this plays a significant role in the fulfillment of the ritual.
Different ethnolinguistic groups within the region have varying terms for this ceremony as they also have several reasons that call for the occurrence or observance of Cañao.
A family may hold one namely for someone's healing from an illness, for the celebration of birth, a marriage or death. A community for a bountiful harvest, crop protection and abundance or for well-being in general.
As this practice pre-dated Spanish colonization and other religious influences, the Igorots then solely believed in the supernatural deities and anito that reigned above man. Appeasing these spirits during Cañao meant animal and material offerings coupled with multiple prayers and sometimes the beating of the gongs.
Today, Cañao remains to be the special feast that calls for the gathering of a community for spiritual and social reasons. It continues to reinforce the value of community building and enhances relationships amongst friends and families in a community as epitomized by the celebration that the BIBAK members in BC festively commemorate. Our cultural and regional ties are renewed and strengthened as we are also reminded of our proud ancestry. Our social cohesiveness is proven as we are one as a people despite being overseas and in the face of technology and lifestyle that promotes individualism. Let our unity resonate with the gongs, chants and community dances that are integral parts of this significant gathering.
As we celebrate our cultural roots, values and beliefs today, may we be reminded of the essence of binnadang/ob-obfo that the practice of Cañao primarily highlights. May we continue to share resources and learnings as we gift the younger generation with the same values inculcated to us by these traditions and morals that come with them.
Matago tago tako am-in.”
—— E.C.B.B. and K.W.B.B. of BIBAK BC
Please enjoy the pictures we took that day;
