Track 2.mp3
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OFDJANGGO FESTIVAL
More than four hundred years ago when spaniards colonized the Philippines, the Dyanggo (jungle people) in Nassiping Gattaran was known.
These inhabitants who are black in complexion,terrifying faces and tailed people lived in the forest. They only comeout once in a year to frighten the natives in that place (Ybanag). These doings of the Dyanggos brought problems to the natives especially pregnant women.
It was on the 1600's when the spaniards entered Cagayan through KJuan Salcedo, as they went through the city in the Northern Philippines (Nueva Segivia). A missionary was sent to the town of Gattaran reaching the barrio of Nassiping and made it the seat of the town proper.
The missionary assugned St. Micheal as the town patron. The natives showed rejection to the statue, until one day, these Dyanggos appreciated and saw the statue of St. Micheal. The moment they caught a glimpse of the Saint, they tried ti whip and loss him. But every attempt failed as they weakened and fell. After this encounter, the weakened and defeated Dyanggo run back to theit hiding places until they were never found as they disappeared in the area.
Years passed again, some pagan Ybanag hunters got angry at St. Micheal because only the young hunters have the chance to have a good catch. One day, they placed the statue of St. Micheal in a banana stalk and brought it to Cagayan river, as they bade goodbye and said this, " O Igel accatam mu yatun caccalapen, ta dagatan mu si Lina ta Gattaran.(St. Micheal, put on your back and drop by Lina in Gattaran.)
Instead of going with the current to Aparri, the banana stalk went against the current. the statue didn't want to leave the place. It was only then that they realized the St. Micheal is mighty and powerful.
Every feast day (September 23-29) of Nassiping, now a barrio of Gattaran from spanish time up to present, the barrio fiesta is never complete without the precense of the Dyanggo Ritual.
Legends had it that if the villagers do not perform the said ritual dance, disastrous nd tragic events will befall on them.
