BAGUIO, Philippines – Whenever we think of culture, what usually pops up in our minds are food, clothing, and dances. The Cordilleran community goes beyond these things. Even games, commonly associated with children, are a vital part of their lives.
It’s not a childish activity for them, though, but a matter of preserving their ancestral knowledge by ensuring that the youth among them continue playing the games. In the just-concluded Indigenous Peoples’ Month of October, the 12th edition of the Gong Festival was held in Baguio City, featuring various IP games participated in by several cultural groups. “The main goal [of Lumlumfis or the indigenous games activity] is to preserve culture and encourage the young generation to be involved, to know their identities, so they could learn from their elders,” Handiong Capuno, an Igorot and one of the organizers of the event, said in a mix of English and Filipino.
Lumlumfis, meaning “race” in Kalinga, was an event organized on October 13 as part of the 12th Gong Festival. Must Read Igorot teen showcases culture, tradition at Gong Festival in Baguio Featured were not the usual traditional Filipino games we might think of. Every year, the organizers ensure that indigenous beliefs and traditions are woven into the games.
From using traditional materials and wearing cultural attires to listening to indigenous stories, solving tattoo puzzles, and more, everything seems natural, unique, and innovative — exactly as they aim f.
