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The Country and its People / People / Other Cultural Minorities / Kankanai

Number: 125,000

Region: western side of the Cordillera range, especially in Benguet province.

Physical Features: brown skinned, athletic build

Dialect Kankanai, although Ilocano is the lingua franca of the tribe; some speak Nabaloi

Religion: Roman Catholic, Protestant, animist

Integration: Partly integrated.

Community: They are under the administration of elected village leaders. Many of the educated Kankanais live in Baguio City.

Traditional Form of Settlement: Several families are grouped in a single dwelling with separate kitchens and yards for each family.

Technological Level: Modern household appliances are widely used.

Education: Literacy is high; many can speak and write English.

Employment: Originally, the Kankanais were farmers. But today, most of them receive cash incomes from employment in government and private companies. Many of them have jobs as workers in mining and timber industries. Due to the missionaries' influence, some have entered the priesthood or nunnery.

Traditional Mode of Dress: For men, lowland Christian attire for traveling; G-strings made of woven cloth called "wanes" or bark G-strings called "kaba" for working. The women wear skirts called "tapis" or "palingay" paired with upper shirt called "kaba" when they are traveling, or skirts without an upper garment when working and at home.

Traditional Adornments: Older men wear headbands made of cloth or bark called "bedbed" as a symbol of prestige. The women wear hair ornaments, earrings and bead necklaces.

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As scientific research into nutrition progresses, micronutrients such as vitamins and minerals are receiving more and more attention.