Profile Source: Asia Missions (AMNET)
Introduction / History
The Itawes are culturally and linguistically close to the Ibanag. The Ibanag language is the mother tongue of the Itawes. Itawes communities
Profile Source: Asia Missions (AMNET)
Introduction / History
The Itawes are culturally and linguistically close to the Ibanag. The Ibanag language is the mother tongue of the Itawes. Itawes communities are mostly found in towns along the lower Chico and Matalag Rivers in Cagayan. In many of these towns, the Itawes live with the Ibanags and speak Ibanag. They go through the process of linguistic adaptation which made the Ibanag and Itawes language indistinguishable. The Itawes are known with various alternate names such as "Itawet", "Tawit", "Itawis", Malaueg" and "Rizal". Linguists classified "Malaueg" and "Rizal" as dialects of Itawes language.
Itawes mode of dressing is more colorful than the Ibanag; red is their dominant color.
In the Itawes life cycle such as pregnancy, childbirth, marriage and death, certain taboos or sacred prohibitions reflecting traditional animistic beliefs are observed. Wedding ceremonies are either civil ceremony performed by a "hues" or justice of the peace, or a church ceremony performed by a priest. A simple wedding feast usually follows. After the wedding the couple resides in the girl's household for at least one year before they establish their own household.
The average Itawes family favors education. A good number of their children are sent to school. Many aspects of the Itawes culture and architectural structures (old Catholic churches, ruins of a fortress, cathedrals) reflect Spanish influence.
Farm