The Kankanay ceremonial system is similar to that of the Nabaloi. [2]
The rituals are the same in general purpose; they are based on a
similar belief in spirits; the important elements of both systems
are sacrifice and prayer; and the functions of the priests are the
same. The ceremonies of each group must be given in their appropriate
places, and a particular sacrifice must be offered in connection
with each, though there is probably more latitude of choice among
the Kankanay than among the Nabaloi.
There are Kankanay ceremonies corresponding in purpose to nearly
all the Nabaloi ceremonies, but as a rule the spoken ritual is quite
different. Some of the corresponding ceremonies are called by the same
name, and some by different names. In a few cases ceremonies called
by the same name are celebrated for entirely different purposes by
the two groups.
There is not the same uniformity in the ceremonies celebrated in the
various towns of the Kankanay as there is in those of the Nabaloi. As a
rule the same rituals are held in the towns of northwestern Benguet,
in Ampasungan of Lepanto, and in Bacun of Amburayan. Buguias and
Mancayan have the majority of these ceremonies, but not all. On the
other hand, a few are celebrated in the latter towns which are unknown
in the former.
From the data available, it seems that there is even more difference
between the ceremonies of the northern and southern Kankanay than there
is between those of the latter and the Nabaloi. It is quite certain,
however, that all the Lepanto ceremonies have not been recorded,
and when this has been done the rituals of the two sections may show
a closer resemblance than at present appears to be the case.