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Rice is the main agricultural crop of Sadanga, Mt. Province. Two crops are produced in a year. The “chinakon is the first cropping done in April to July while the “sinawali” is the second cropping done during the rainy days from July to September.
The AES Cultural Dance Troupe presented the sinawali season. At times, some fields are purposely drained to be planted with camote and other crops like string beans, corn, etc. Well-irrigated fields are being utilized for planting sinawali rice.
Just after the chinakon, a site is chosen for the seedbed for the sinawali. Meantime, the fields are also being prepared. The performers showed the first step which is the “takhad” - this is the cleaning of the fields using sickle to cut the rice stalks from the previous rice harvest and unwanted roots and grasses. After ensuring that the soil is evenly tilled, “charnek” is the next step wherein the ladies will in turn tenderize it using their feet to bury rice straws. The fields must be treated with fertilizers to ensure good harvest and to replenish the diminished productivity of the soil. This is called the “timok” wherein the men spread the organic fertilizers.
Three to four days are set aside for the fertilizers to be decomposed. When the seeds and the fields are deemed ready for transplanting, the seedlings are then carefully extracted and immediately transplanted into the fields be the women. After three to four months from transplanting, the harvest season takes place. While the people are harvesting, they chant how hard it is to be a farmer, getting tired everyday to have enough food and for the education of the children. They sing to themselves to be entertained and stay alert.
As portrayed in the presentation, the performers practiced the “og-ogfu” system, or the “bayanihan” system. This is the traditional labor practices among our tribes. Lastly, they enjoy the ending of their works through dancing before parting ways.
Prepared by Betty A. Wayyas, Coach - Anabel Elementary School (AES)
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