Kalingas-North America Network

Kalinga arts and culture

Kalingas-North America Network’s youth troupe wearing traditional dance regalia.Kalinga is a province of the Philippines and home to a native people of the same name.  Since 2000, the founders of the Los Angeles-based Kalingas-North America Network, Inc. have worked to preserve and perpetuate their indigenous cultural arts as well as to share them with their present communities in this country.

In 2012, Kalingas-North America Network received a grant from  ACTA’s Living Cultures Grants Program to host the first youth Canao, or gathering, targeting children and young adults of Igorot (people form the indigenous regions of Northern Luzon in the Philippines) descent living in Southern California. The Canao is an opportunity to learn traditional music and dance, to reconnect with friends and family, and be encouraged and inspired to continue their heritage. The youth gathering will include workshops featuring bamboo instrumentation in playing traditional music and learning the nearly extinct art of back strap weaving. The Canao will be hosted by Kalingas-North America Network and BIBAK San Diego Youth (an acronym pertaining to other indigenous tribes of the Philippines: Bontoc, Ifugao, Benguet, Apayao and Kalinga).

In 2008, Kalingas-North America Network received a grant from ACTA’s Living Cultures Grants Program for the purchase of indigenous musical instruments and traditional dance regalia in an effort to enhance their cultural and educational projects.  These purchases were made from indigenous Kalinga master artisans and craftsmen in the tribal villages of the northern Philippines, where fabrics are still made by hand in the old method of back-strap weaving.

In 2002, Kalingas-North America Network participated in ACTA’s Traditional Arts Development Program, allowing them to gather Kalinga families to record traditional native songs and chants, as well as instrumental music using brass gongs and bamboo flutes.

Gallery

Chinabelle Badol learns backstrap weaving from Gloria Amiling Dezuman along with Rhontelle Amiling and Eileen Whitfield.  Photo: BKM Photography & Design

Gloria Amiling DeGuzman attaches the backstrap looms to her daughter and niece.  Photo: BKM Photography & Design

At Kalingas North America Network's 2012 canao (a youth gathering), Gloria Amiling DeGuzman talks about various backstrap weaving patterns and how they differ amongst Igorot (indigenous Filipino) tribes.  Photo: BKM Photography & Design

Gloria Amiling DeGuzman teaches Kayla Lay the art of backstrap weaving.  Photo: BKM Photography & Design

Michael Fonite playing the gangsaPhoto: BKM Photography & Design

Mike Wandag from BIBAK Los Angeles instructs youth in pattong, playing gongs.  Photo: BKM Photography & Design

Mike Wandag from BIBAK Los Angeles instructs youth in playing bamboo instruments.  Photo: BKM Photography & Design

Mike Wandag from BIBAK Los Angeles leads a dance.  Photo: BKM Photography & Design

Youth listen to various tones of Kalinga bamboo instruments.  Photo: BKM Photography & Design

Youth playing pattong and dancing.  Photo: BKM Photography & Design

Attendees review lyrics for a salidummay, a traditional song sung during gatherings.  Photo: BKM Photography & Design

Igorot musicians with various Kalinga bamboo instruments.  Photo: BKM Photography & Design

Roman Macapugay, with uncle Greg Deguzman and cousin Andrew Whitfield, learn the tongataongsPhoto: BKM Photography & Design

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