An Igorot festival, the East Coast Grand Cañao will be held at Chetham Naval Annex, Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia July 24-26. The annual festival will be attended by around 500 Igorot immigrants living in the East Coast area of the US. The cultural celebration is organized by five East Coast based Bontoc-Ifugao-Benguet-Apayao-Abra-Kalinga (BIBAAK) organizations and hosted by BIBAK DC. This gathering of Igorots fuels camaraderie and fellowship among Igorots living in this part of US, and others worldwide who wish to attend. Camping, ball games, golf, and cultural programs fill the event.
Not to be forgotten is a parade with gong playing and flags with attendees in cultural attire. The Igorot gangza (gong) is a cultural symbol of fellowship and unity among Igorots, an ethno linguistic tribe in northern Luzon, Philippines. An ecumenical mass is also observed. Some Igorots are Romans Catholics, Episcopalians and some belonging to fundamentalist sects.
Igorots worldwide converge in clustered gatherings in different countries and continents. Though an annual Igorot Global Organization (IGO) gathering makes them come together and collectively renew the fellowship.
For those who want to attend the event, you may link here at BIBAK San Diego Guestbook and get to know more about the event. Or log into BIBAK San Diego Multiply and send your message here.
2 comments:
I last attended a BIBAK event around 1995 in San Francisco. It was very small. That one in DC or San Diego look like big events.
Hey Wil...are you attending the canao...? Saw your pic at Anza Borrego desert in Miskina ano na Isip. You must have enjoyed the hike.
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