The Kankanay make ceremonies for the same general purpose as the
Nabaloi. The majority of them are celebrated primarily against
sickness, or to avert calamities, such as crop failure. Incidentally,
all public ceremonies secure the good will of deities and spirits, and
cause the giver to live long, be lucky, and become rich. The matter
of personal pride and desire of power is also an important factor,
and it is said that the most expensive canao celebrated by some of
the Lepanto Kankanay is given for no other purpose. I think this is
doubtful, however, and believe it probable that all canaos possess some
religious significance, even when the givers have a material motive.
Another reason for ceremonies given by a member of the Kankanay baknang
might be interesting. He stated that if he did not give the mandit and
other public canaos at frequent intervals, all his livestock would be
stolen, but that as long as the people knew that they would consume
the larger number of his animals, they were willing that he should
have the trouble and responsibility of raising them.