The buang is celebrated to cure deafness in Buguias, in some of the
Kankanay barrios of Atok, and probably in some if not all of the
Benguet Kankanay settlements farther west.
The mambunong holds in one hand the chicken to be sacrificed and
with the other hand he holds a cup of tapuy above the head of the
deaf person, while relating the following story:
Kabigat of the earth was constructing a sod fence. While he was
bending over to pick up a large piece of sod, he heard the noise
of loud thunder. He did not look around, but continued to work.
Soon his wife Bangan, who was working in a nearby camote field,
called to him saying that it was time to go home. Kabigat did not
answer, but continued to build fence. His wife became angry and
began to scold, but when she turned around she saw the Thunder
standing near. The Thunder said, "Do not become angry with your
husband. He does not answer because he can not hear you. I made
him deaf. If you want him to be cured get one chicken and one
jar of tapuy and celebrate the buang."
Bangan did so and Kabigat was cured. Then they handed this down to
the people, and commanded that the name of Thunder, Kabigat, and
Bangan should be called.
This ceremony is celebrated by the Nabaloi, but a different version
of the story is told.