Hagdan-Hagdang Palayan (hagˈdan hagˈdaŋ paˈlajan)

In the eastern hills of Pulo, at the foot of the Silanganbundok mountain range, lies an ancient agricultural wonder known as Hagdan-Hagdang Palayan. This massive complex of rice terraces, at least two thousand years old, was carved into the stone and is fed by intricate irrigation systems. The terraces extend high into the hills and produce enough rice to feed the entire region. While the Tagápulo often claim that Hagdan-Hagdang Palayan was built by their ancestors, independent scholars usually credit the Ipugao, who traditionally live in the Silanganbundok area and continue to maintain and use the terraces.

Abbuy ni Palayan

At several points during the year, the Hagdan-Hagdang Palayan becomes the site of an important Ipugao cultural ritual. The Abbuy ni Palayan, or "Tales of Palayan," are a series of chants performed during the major tasks on the terraces: preparing the fields, planting, and harvesting. During each of these events, the women of the Ipugao chant stories - great legends from the past of their people. Many of these recount the deeds of the mighty hero Alinnaga, who was said to be able to dash the length of the Hagdan-Hagdang Palayan in seven heartbeats and slew a hundred mountain monsters who threatened the Ipugao.

These tales are told only at the Hagdan-Hagdang Palayan, and only while the work is underway. They are so beloved that no one chooses to avoid hearing them - or the labor that accompanies them. According to tradition, if anyone ceases to work, the chanting must stop until that person is either removed from earshot or resumes a useful task. The only exception is for children too young to walk, while toddlers, the elderly, and the infirm are given tasks suited to their abilities.

Notable Spirits

Wooden statues are placed where they can be seen from every part of the Hagdan-Hagdang Palayan, each one the dwelling of a protective spirit known as a Hipág. These statues each have their own name and personality, and each is the responsibility of their own particular family to keep them clean and in good repair. If they are well tended, the spirit will watch over the rice as it grows, protecting it from disease and pests, and alerting its caretakers should anything significant go awry. These alerts arrive in the form of dreams - if the situation is urgent, the dreams will render the recipients unconscious just long enough to receive the message. Each Hipág appears at least once in the Abbuy ni Palayan, and it is important to recite these tales where the spirits can hear their names called and their connection to the Hagdan-Hagdang Palayan reaffirmed.