TINGGUIANS / ITNEGS Of Spanish origin, Tingguian originally - TopicsExpress

TINGGUIANS / ITNEGS Of Spanish origin, Tingguian originally referred to all the mountain dwellers in the Philippines. Possibly, it was derived from the Malay word tinggi, meaning mountain or upland. Later it became exclusive reference to the inhabitants of Abra and the Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte mountains. Many choose to refer to themselves as Itnegs, probably a name derived from an early Tingguian settlement in Abra. A religious people, they believe in numerous supernatural beings (spirits and anitos) inhabiting their land, endowed with powers to guide protect and guide the Tungguians lives, and who therefore are involved in the religious offerings and rituals. The Tingguians great god is Kadaklan, ruler of the supernatural world. Another deity is Kabunyan, friend and teacher to the people, teaching prayer, the curing of illnesses and protection from evil spirits. There are more than 150 other named spirits. Selday is a malevolent spirit who may induce illness if deprived of the blood offering from a small pig.