Cordillera’s unseen faith: Honoring the 'adi kaila' and the blessings of Kabunyan

Every year, Filipinos and the rest of the world observe, and sometimes celebrate, All Souls’ Day, All Saints’ Day, and the Western-influenced Halloween. During this time of year, aside from visiting cemeteries, columbaria, and other resting places of loved ones who have passed on, many people wear costumes depicting scary and non-scary mythical or fantasy creatures.

Here in the Cordillera, while many have fully embraced the spiritual teachings of various faiths, most of the indigenous people — especially those who prefer to be collectively called “Igorots,” or people of the mountains — still hold on to their traditional beliefs and practices about spirits and the unseen, or “adi kaila,” as their ancestors did. These practices are not confined to the end of October or the first week of November, but are performed whenever the need arises.

The Igorots believe in a God they call the Creator, “Kabunyan,” and in the deity who came down to earth in human form, “Lumauig.” The spirits of their departed ancestors or relatives are known as “adi kaila” or “inmey et ed daya,” meaning those who have gone to the other world. During every occasion or gathering, the Igorots offer prayers to Kabunyan and the adi kaila, asking for their guidance, blessings, and protection.

Even during a simple drinking session, they offer a portion of the first bottle to the adi kaila as a sign of respect and gratitude for the fruits of the earth and the people who labored to produce the liquor.

During tragedies — such as the vehicular accident that occurred on 27 October 2025, in Barangay Tocucan, Bontoc, Mountain Province, where a truck plunged into a 150-foot ravine and submerged in the waters of the Chico River — the community turns to ritual. Three people were killed on the spot, and the body of a fourth victim was recovered on the morning of 28 October 2025, as responders continued searching for the fifth.

That night, the elders led the “khaeb di uminoman,” a cleansing ritual held at the “dap-ay,” or traditional assembly place, to appease the adi kaila and ask for protection and guidance, as well as Kabunyan’s blessing, to ensure a safe and successful search. On the morning of October 28, the second day of the operation, another ritual was led by an elder to seek Kabunyan’s guidance for the responders.

Indigenous peoples (IPs) conduct cleansing rituals at every site of tragedy. With the leadership of the elders, they perform “daw-es,” praying to Kabunyan and asking the adi kaila to cleanse the area of negativity so that the tragedy will not happen again.

The IPs believe in the “anito,” but contrary to popular belief, these are not gods but the spirits of the dead—many of whom are restless. The Igorots do not pray to them; instead, they ask the anitos not to disturb the living and to do good deeds that will help redeem them.

The culture and traditions of the Igorots and other IPs may not be based on Christian teachings, yet they are deeply rooted in their faith in the Creator, Kabunyan, and their profound connection to the land that has sustained them since time immemorial.