In the central part of Ifugao where I was born and raised, I have witnessed a lot of times what they call "ubbu".

It is a term used to describe a traditional Ifugao practice, where a person calls the help of other folks to be part of a work (usually in their ricefields). In return, the person who called for help must repay it with work, commensurate to the number of days the person worked for him/her.

They don't use money to pay workers, but they use work to barter for work.

When these folks gather to work, it's a time for a good fellowship, and in the olden times, it is used to learn their traditional hymn of "Hudhud" for the ladies.

It is still very much alive in my native barangay. But in many parts of Ifugao, "ubbu or ub-ubbu" is becoming strange; just a part of our rich history.

What can the new generation of the "real sons and daughters of Ifugao" do?

By: Abe Ngipol

#Ubbu #Ububbu #binnadang #Ifugao