"LANG-AY FESTIVAL" OF MOUNTAIN PROVINCE

St. Louis University Dance Troupe

The Lang-ay Festival is an annual festival celebrated in the Mountain Province of the Philippines. It is held every April in the capital city of Bontoc. The festival is a celebration of the culture and traditions of the people of Mountain Province, and features traditional dances, music, and other cultural activities. The festival also serves as an opportunity for the people of the region to showcase their unique customs and practices, as well as the natural beauty of the area.

SELF-ASSURING elderly men wore their G-strings and their necklaces made either of fangs or teeth of wild boar, suggesting their bravery and robustness in the days of hunting and fighting against other tribes. With their genuine repolished spears, machete, and their bows and arrows, they strutted along the main street of Bontoc with good bearing and pride—but this time, not to wage a war against a clan or a tribe.

The Lang-ay Festival is named after the Kankanaey word "lang-ay," which means "to gather." This is a fitting name for the festival as it brings together people from all over the province to celebrate their shared culture and history. This festival is organized by the local government of Mountain Province, and it is supported by various organizations and community groups.

The festival features a variety of activities that showcase the unique culture and traditions of the people of Mountain Province. One of the most popular events is the parade of the different ethnic groups, where participants wear traditional costumes and perform traditional dances. This parade is a colorful and vibrant display of the diverse cultures that make  up the province.

Another popular event is the cultural and trade fair, where vendors from all over the province come to sell their traditional goods and crafts. This is a great opportunity for visitors to purchase authentic items and learn more about the cultures and traditions of the different ethnic groups.

The Lang-ay Festival also features sports competitions, such as the traditional sports of tug-of-war, bamboo pole climbing, and spear throwing. These competitions showcase the physical strength and skill of the people of Mountain Province.

In addition to the cultural and sports events, the Lang-ay Festival also features a range of entertainment, such as live music and dance performances. The festival also includes a beauty pageant, where young women from the different ethnic groups compete for the title of Miss Lang-ay.

The Lang-ay Festival is a celebration of the rich culture and traditions of the people of Mountain Province. It is a time for the community to come together and showcase their heritage through a variety of activities and events. Whether you're a visitor or a local, the Lang-ay Festival is a must-see event that offers a glimpse into the unique culture and history of the province.

Nobody can deny, the children who looked cute in their native tribal costumes were the star of the show. Yes, they made mistakes and have not perfected the steps and movements, but nobody cared! It was all for fun, after all.

Describing Lang-ay Festival is a tough job for this neophyte writer. One can never express in exact words the high spirit, and authenticity of the festival. Unlike in many other festivals, where most of the performers are teenagers or children, Lang-ay Festival’s participation of all ages in the pageantry of Mountain Province’s diverse culture, history and tradition take the center stage and what sets it apart from other festivals.

In 2009, I witnessed the 5th Lang-ay Festival, which was celebrated with the theme “Nurturing History and Culture.” Held every first week of April, Mountain Province will be celebrating it for the 6th year with the theme: “Lang-ay: A Tool For Reconciliation, Solidarity, and Transformation.” This week-long celebration will be observed with various events like information caravan of the province’s services, agricultural trade fair, forum, cultural plays, and performances, and culminates in a grand parade featuring every municipality of the province.

Moreover, the festival has also become a tool for the elderly to teach and inculcate in the younger generation the value of culture and tradition. According to Governor Maximo Dalog in a press conference in Baguio City, “The Lang-ay festival of Mountain Province held annually "

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