The pungau is celebrated by the Benguet Kankanay at the beginning of
rice harvest. Before any rice can be gathered, the owner of the field
must procure a jar of tapuy and either a chicken or dried meat, which
are taken to the field. The owner holds the chicken or dried meat in
one hand and prays that the rice to be harvested may increase to an
amount sufficient to last until the next harvest, and promises that
a large part of it will be used for ceremonies.
After the prayer all who are to take part in the ceremony drink
tapuy. No one else is allowed in the field until after the harvesting
has been completed, and a piece of cloth is displayed to warn away
intruders.
This ceremony corresponds to the pungau of the Nabaloi and the safosab
of the Bontoc. The Lepanto Kankanay also celebrate a ceremony before
beginning rice harvest, but I do not know by what name it is designated
nor the manner in which it is celebrated.