The Vanaw Indigenous Community
The Vanáw (spelled as Banao in historical records and politico-legal documents), is an ethnolinguistic group in northern Philippines whose tribal territory extends from three barangays of the Province of Kalinga (Pattikyán/Pantikian, Sosok-án/Sesec-an, and Valvalásang/Balbalasang) to two municipalities in Abra (Jagyúman/Daguioman and Malibkúng/Malibcong). The whole area can be called Western Kalinga (see my explanation in this article).
Locals refer to the Kalinga side of their territory as "Mother Vanáw", and the Abra side as Jay-ás.
Through the vojóng principle of kulligóng 'to encircle', its tribal territory extends to areas in the City of Tabuk, namely Masabsablang and Jílag/Dilag which were na-ikulligóng or declared as an extension of the tribal territory.
Their cultural or tribal territory is called Vanáw, and one who belongs to this ethnolinguistic group is called iVanaw (pref. /i/ = from) 'a person or people from Vanáw'.
As of 2021, the Vanaw population stood at 6,890, distributed as follows: Jagyuman (2,090), Malibkung (1,830), and Mother Vanaw (2,970). [Data from former Daguioman Mayor Salma Padilla, DILG Abra CH Mary Jane Abance, and LGU Balbalan Nurse Dolores Dao-ayan-Pultz]
The iVanaw are the guardians of the 21,000-hectare Banao Protected Landscape, one of the few remaining extensive forest covers in the Philippines. Developed for over a century, their Indigenous community-based forest management practices have ensured the sustainability of their natural resources. They have partnered with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and other government or non-government institutions or organizations to institute programs, projects and activities that promote not only environmental protection but also social welfare.
The headwaters of Saltan, considered the cleanest river in Kalinga, flows from the headwaters in the Jay-as and flows down to the Kalinga side to eventually join the mighty Chico River.
