LACUB, Abra(PIA) -- Cultural dances are always part of celebrating indigenous festivities.

In Lacub, the different barangays showcased their diverse cultural identities in a neo-ethnic dance as part of  its town fiesta celebration.

There are three sub-tribes of Itneg in the municipality- the Binongan, Adasen, and the Mabaka tribes. Each tribe manifests distinct tongue, origin, fashion, and traditions.

Mayor Nestor Bersamina said that it is essential to keep their cultural identities alive by performing their indigenous dances, and one way of doing this is  through a neo ethnic dance competition.

“Daytoy ti mangpatalged ti kinatao tayo. Ditoy tayo nga makita ti kinapateg ti kultura iti ili tayo, ket babaen ti kultura, agtultuloy ti progreso ti ili a Lacub,” Bersamina said.

[This strengthen our identify. We see here  the importance of our town’s culture and through culture, the  municipality of Lacub  will continue to progress.]

The performances of the different barangay exhibited their respective  traditional practices in agriculture, hunting, courtship, marriage and customary laws. The dances are also accompanied by the native beats of 'Gansa' (gongs) and percussion instruments.

Barangay Pacoc-Talampac bagged the P50,000 grand prize of the Neo-Ethnic Dance Competition.  Brgy. Poblacion  emerged the first runner up  while Brgy. Buneg  landed second runner up.

Lacub Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative Vicente Garcia underscored the importance of uniting the sub-tribes.

“Ditoy Fiesta tayo, agsasabat dagiti agkakabagyan, kailyan ken tribu ditoy Lacub ket daytoy ti panagkaykaysa tayo nga umili,” he said.

The municipality of Lacub is a 5th class municipality of Abra, located in the northeastern part of the province adjacent to Conner, Apayao. (JDP/CAGT– PIA CAR, Abra)