By Ray John C. Molion
KALABUGAO, Impasug-ong, Bukidnon (BukidnonNews.Net / March 22, 2025) – The Sinabaang, which is the traditional attire of the Higaonon people in Impasug-ong, Bukidnon, holds deep cultural and spiritual significance. More than just clothing, it embodies the tribe’s identity, heritage, and social hierarchy.
A Sinabaang set features four dominant colors, each symbolizing key values: red (maliga) for victory, black (maitom) for trials, yellow (makalawag) for equality, and white (maputi) for peace.
The Higaonon is one of the seven tribes of Bukidnon. Their culture and tradition is among those being celebrated in the Kaamulan, an annual festival in the province. This year the celebration opened on March 21 and runs up to April 23, 2025.
While the Sinabaang is an important cultural symbol, it is not worn casually, an elder said.
The Sinabaang can be worn only by designated personalities, said Datu Manlintawan Junie P. Pantaon (in file photo wearing his Sinabaang), a retired soldier and one of the most honored elders here.
In an interview on February 23, 2025, Datu Manlintawan said the Sinabaang is designated for a datu and a bae. He said they wear it as they do customary functions like lead rituals, resolve conflicts, and officiate weddings.
There are two types of Sinabaang based on color. The red Sinabaang is for the Datu Bagani (warrior chief), worn when resolving major community disputes. The black Sinabaang is for the Pangabagan, the assistant to the chief datu.
In the tribe, the Bae or the wife of the Datu is the only one designated to wear the Sinabaang. The Bae assists the Datu in many ways like welcoming guests, preparing food, and accommodating visitors before they can go to the Datu for their agenda. The Bae wears the Sinabaang in functions like rituals, meetings, wedding and tribal conflict resolution.
Nay Lintawan Ma. Theresa B. Pantaon wears her Sinabaang/File photos courtesy of Maria Dianne Pantaon
Datu Manlintawan said the Tangkulu or head scarf worn by the Datu shows his rank and responsibilities in the community.
The head scarf adorned with many beads shows high rank and high responsibilities in the community. Only a datu who has resolved big problems, performed rituals, and officiated weddings can wear the scarf.
Datu Manlintawan added that the scarf tied to the head of a great warrior’s head is called ‘Taglangbusan’.
Traditionally, Datu Manlintawan said, it is prohibited for a non-Datu or non-Bae to wear the Sinabaang. The ‘Talawagon’ also known as the ‘Mulin-ulin’ spirit, he said, will deal with those who are not fit to wear the attire. He said they will face the “Tungayaw or Uplotan’ a curse, which he described as like a drunk suffering headache. He used the term Panwalaan ko buot, if you wear the Sinabaang without proper designation.
The proper use of Sinabaang is important to the tribe. Datu Manlintawan said that there are even rules in washing the Sinabaang. Only the one who wore the Sinabaang should wash it. He said his wife will not wash his Sinabaang because she is afraid of ‘Uplotan’. He recalled that in the family they have kept this pre-caution. The wife of their Apu, or grandfather, Amba Palasambag will not wash the Sinabaang to avoid the curse.
Due to diversity of cultures, many people wear the Sinabaang even if they are not a Datu or a Bae. The Sinabaang is now worn for work, dance presentations, and other events.
Datu Manlintawan clarified that there is still the need to ask permission through a ritual, from the Talawagon as pananghid. He said this is for the protection of those who will wear it. The ritual includes a shedding of animal’s blood like chicken, lighting of candles, and a prayer from a ritualist. He said by doing this, the Talawagon will understand and will not harm those who wear the Sinabaang.
The author, a Higaonon youth from Brgy. Kalabugao, Impasug-ong, Bukidnon, is a second year BA Sociology student of Bukidnon State University. He is one of the participants of the Tagtigusan Community Documentation and Reporting Training for Youth from the Tri-people Communities of Bukidnon. Tagtigusan is a peace communication initiative of Kalandang Taw Center for Peace Studies and the Bukidnon Studies Center of Bukidnon State University in partnership with BukidnonNews.Net.