Sambali Festival is About the Sambali War Dance

SAMBALI FESTIVAL

Isabela Province also celebrates their own Sambali Festival.

The Sambali or Piat Sambali Festival is celebrated every year in Piat, Cagayan from June 23 to July 2. A spectacle of color, form and movement and songs is to be expected in this celebration, all brought about centuries-old cultural traditions.

The Sambali festival originated from the Sambali dance which is a war dance of the Itawis tribe of Cagayan that was converted to Christianity through the intercession of the Lady of Piat. It was revived in 1989 with the belief that it would promote the identity of the people of Piat, as well as strengthen unity and harmony among its people. Since then, it has been an annual event for the residents of Piat. Read More: http://en.wikipilipinas.org/index.php/Sambali_Festival

Photo from: http://pinastival.blogspot.com/2011/04/month-of-june.html

The Sambali Festival is held every July 1 and 2 annually in Piat, Cagayan. The said festival is a religious and cultural revival to commemorate the Christianization of the Itawis region of Cagayan. During the 16^th century when the Spaniards set foot in Cagayan, they found out that the Itawis town, particularly Piat was inhabited by an aggressive Kalong sub-ethnic group that originated from the mountains of Kalinga Apayao. The Spaniards tried to convert them to the Catholic faith, but they failed and it led to war. However, the Spaniards did not give up. In 1604, the image of Our Lady of Piat, which was originally known as “Nuestra Senora del Santissimo Rosario” was brought to Cagayan from Macau and made numerous miracles. Because of this, the people of Piat were gradually converted to Christianity. Read more: http://pinayforeverythingpinoy.blogspot.com/2012/07/our-lady-of-piat.html

Photo from: https://www.livelifeandlove.com/30th-sambali-festival-2019-2/

The festival was derived from the sambali dance which is a war dance of the Itawes tribe of Cagayan. These natives were later converted to Christianity through the intercession of the Lady of Piat.

This year marked the 23rd year of celebration of Sambali Festival in the town of Piat since its revival in 1989. This is a spectacle of color and dances brought about by centuries-old cultural traditions. In the Mallaweg dialect, the word Sambali means “war”. It is being portrayed through a dance between different tribes. There are two native women called ayayas, running and shouting to forewarn both parties about an imminent war to start the scene. Read More: http://www.ilocandiatreasures.com/2012/08/sambali-festival-of-piat.html

Photo from: http://pinayforeverythingpinoy.blogspot.com/2012/07/our-lady-of-piat.html