Tungoh ad Hungduan Festival is a cultural festival celebrated yearly every third week of April, which lasts for about 3-4 days. “Tungoh” refers to the rest period in the traditional agricultural cycle, which is usually after the planting season, while “Hungdu” means “a stopping place” for travelers.
This festival is made to promote the tourism industry of Hungduan, Ifugao, with its various tourist spots like the Bogyah Hot Spring, Bacung Spider Web Terraces, Kibayuwong Enchanted Stone, Kinga Rice terraces, and the historic Mount Napulawan. The town also offers breathtaking waterfalls and mystical mountains with serene and peaceful surroundings that provide a relaxing ambience for those seeking a place where they can commune with nature.
The highlights of the festivals are the annual climb to Mount Napulawan, ethnic parade wherein different tribes showcase their traditional costumes, ethnic games, agro-industrial exhibits, demonstration of indigenous cultural practices, rituals, songs and dances, and sports competition.
In this festival, you will experience the rich and unique cultural traditions and practices of the people. You will see them dance as a tribe, while sporting their creativity through rhythm and style. Every tribe has a prepared traditional dance with the beat of drums and their own indigenous instruments.
In the trade fair, the locals display and sell various agricultural products. You can see the town's local agri-industrial products, unique arts and handicrafts like woodcarvings, and woven items.
Objectives of the Festival
1. To strengthen appreciation and interest in the Ifugao culture specifically in the aspect of arts such as indigenous songs, dances, games, architectural designs, and rituals, among others.
2. To enhance the knowledge of the young generation regarding their cultural practices by encouraging them to observe and participate.
3. To facilitate good community relations, cooperation, unity, and understanding among the participants.
4. To promote tourism industry in the municipality.
The festival attracts many tourists, spectators, and visitors. There is the beating of gongs, singing, playing, and dancing. Various colors of native costumes surround the festival. Mingling with the natives will give you an idea on how they can maintain their culture amidst the ever-changing world.