Sacrifices

Ever since I saw the local movie Mumbaki that was shown in 1996 I was interested in seeing personally how their rituals are done. After 15 years (April 25, 2011), I finally get to see one personally, learn directly from the Ifugaos what they are and I even got to shake the hand of a Mumbaki.

What is Imbayah?

Imabayah is their festivities for the coming harvest and the ritual was to start the festivities and ask the spirits to bless the harvest as well as the festivities. This also is an attraction for tourist to know what the Ifugao culture is all about, but more than that this is a reminder to their new generation that this has been part of their culture.

The Mumbaki Language

When the Mumbaki’s started talking I got curious and asked the locals near me what they were saying, surprisingly they said they also did not understand. They told me that there is a Mumbaki’s Language or what they call the language of the spirits that only the Mumbaki could learn.

What does it take to be a Mumbaki?