What is the origin of rice ibaloi version?

In ancient times, the Cordilleras of the Philippines was inhabited by the Ibaloi people. They live in the mountain villages of Benguet, Ifugao, and Mountain Province. The Ibaloi people were known for their bravery, strength, and skills in farming and hunting.

The Legend of the Rice Goddess

One day, a beautiful goddess named Inik came down from the sky. She was dressed in a white robe, and her hair was long and black. She carried a golden basket in her hands, and in the basket was a single grain of rice.

Inik told the Ibaloi people that she had come from the land of the gods, and that she had brought them a gift. She said that if they planted the grain of rice, it would grow into a bountiful crop, and they would never go hungry again.

The Ibaloi people were overjoyed. They planted the grain of rice in their fields and soon it began to grow. The rice plants grew tall and strong, and the fields were soon filled with golden stalks of grain.

When the rice was ripe, the Ibaloi people harvested it. They were amazed by the abundance of rice they had. They thanked the goddess Inik for her gift, and they celebrated with a feast.

The Rice Rituals

From that day on, the Ibaloi people have celebrated the rice harvest with a special ritual called the "Benguet Rice Ritual". During this ritual, the people offer prayers of gratitude to the goddess Inik, and they ask her to bless their fields and their crops.

The Ibaloi people also have a special way of cooking rice. They cook rice in a bamboo tube, and they flavor it with herbs and spices. This special rice dish is called "pinikpikan", and it is a favorite food of the Ibaloi people.

The Importance of Rice

Rice is a very important part of the Ibaloi culture. It is the main source of food for the people, and it is also used in religious ceremonies and festivals. The Ibaloi people have a deep respect for rice, and they believe that it is a sacred gift from the gods.