We’ve all heard of the most commonly known Filipino folk dances like tinikling and pandanggo sa ilaw but have you ever heard of #TAYAW? TAYAW is an indigenous folk dance that originates from the Ibaloi people who come from the Benguet region of the Cordillera Mountains. My family is Ibaloi and for a long time, tayaw was the only folk dance that I knew. I remember when I saw a Fil-Am college dance group perform tinikling here in California, and I didn’t even know what that was because I’d never seen it before! 😂 Tayaw is typically performed by a male and female dancer and the music is performed using ‘gangsa’ or gongs, and a traditional Igorot drum called ‘sulibao’ 🪘 Tayaw is an expression of joy and celebration and is performed at a social event called ‘KANYAW’ KANYAW is a sacred cultural feast/festival of the Igorot people, and it is celebrated slightly differently across the different Igorot ethnic groups. Kanyaw is a tradition that can be done for weddings, thanks giving, wishing prosperity, and even funerals to celebrate the illustrious life of the deceased. Attending kanyaw was one of my favorite memories when I lived in the Philippines and it definitely made me feel closer to my culture as a kid :) Tayaw is more about a FEELING than it is a specific step by step choreography like some other Filipino folk dances, which is why it’s so fun to freestyle! You just listen to the music, tap into how it makes you feel, and go. THIS IS TAYAW. #igorotak #igorot #ibaloi #kanyaw