Land oF nO reTuRn (KALINGA) HEAD HUNTER

Kalinga, a landlocked province, is located at the central western part of the Cordillera Region. It is bounded by Apayao on the north, Cagayan and Isabela on the east, Mountain Province on the south, and Abra on the west. A glance on the map reveals a likeness of the physiography of Kalinga to the bust of a man akin to former president Ferdinand Marcos. 

            “Kalinga” is derived from the Ibanag and Gaddang word that means “fighter” or “headhunter,” a product of the time when headhunting was a prevalent practice to prove bravery and prowess. With no ethnic basis, the name is considered as a misnomer; yet, the term became the official ethnic name accepted even by the Kalinga natives themselves. 

                        During the short-lived Philippine Republic, President Emilio Aguinaldo pushed to the north in his vain attempt to elude his American pursuers. He established his headquarters at Lubuagan (Kalinga) on March 18, 1900 and stayed there for 35 days until he was forced out upon learning that his pursuers were sighted at Mabongtot.  

With the creation of (old) Mountain Province 1n 1808, Kalinga became one of its seven sub-provinces. The signing into law of Republic Act No. 4695 – the Division Law of Mountain Province – on June 18, 1966 divided the old Mountain Province into four provinces. The sub-provinces of Kalinga and Apayao were merged to form a single province, Kalinga-Apayao. On February 14, 1995, Republic Act No. 7878 converted Kalinga-Apayao into two regular provinces namely: Kalinga and Apayao.

 

Kalinga is fast emerging as the “Land of the Living Waters.” Kalinga’s Chico river was recently declared as the White Water Rafting Capital of the North Philippines.  

Inhabitants: 

Divided into 36 different tribal groupings, Kalinga form the largest ethnolinguistic group in the province. Culturally, the Kalinga people is divided into southern and northern groups – considered as the most heavily ornamented, most colorful and gaudily attired of all the ethnic groups of Northern Luzon

The Kalinga people identify strongly with his tribe. This strong tribal identification resulted to frequent bloody conflicts in the past with other tribes of Kalinga Province and neighboring provinces. 

“Bodong” or peace pact is used to minimize traditional warfare and headhunting as well as maintenance and reinforcement of social ties. Recently, the concept of “Bodong” was expanded into a multi-lateral peace pact and provides a means in strengthening unity in the entire cordillera region.

Dialect:

The people of Kalinga spoke one dialect, kalinga or kinnalinga.

Ilokano is the dominant dialect spoken in the lower parts of Kalinga, specifically in the municipalities of Tabuk and Rizal