In personal appearance the majority of the Kankanay are very similar
to the Nabaloi except for the fact that they have hardly benefited
as much through contact with the outside world. Except in the case of
those who live near the sub-province of Bontoc, it is rather difficult
to distinguish a Kankanay man from a Nabaloi.
The women of the two tribes are easily distinguished by a difference
in dress, since the Kankanay women wear a waist instead of a jacket,
and a plain skirt instead of the kind with the folded effect worn by
the Nabaloi.
In personal traits the Benguet Kankanay are similar to the Nabaloi, but
farther north the people are more self-assertive and independent. The
difference in this respect between the cargadores of the various
culture areas is noticeable. In Benguet they will generally carry
without protest whatever size load they are given, but in Bontoc
the cargador decides exactly how much he will carry. While waiting
for his load, the Benguet man will probably remain out in the road,
the Lepanto man in the yard, the Ifugao on the porch; but the Bontoc
man comes into the house and acts as if he were in all respects the
equal of the one for whom he carries.