First Generation Igorot-American
INTERVIEW WITH MR NATHANIAL CADSAP
The First Generation Igorot American stories is a passion project started by Romyn Sabatchi and Meanne Saldaen to capture the historical and cultural insights of immigrants who have arrived to the United States from the 1970s to early 2000s period, trying to understand what they would like others to know or learn about the Igorot culture.
Below is the interview transcribed from a video recording of it.
Romyn, Tani Cadsap, Mrs. Graal Cadsap, Meanne
Can you please introduce yourself?
My name is Nathaniel Porin Cadsap I am half Ibalaoi, my mother is from Taduk, Kabayan, Benguet, and my father is from the Mountain Province -they call it the Applai- he is from the Data, Mountain Province. I am half Mountain Province and half an Ibaloi, and I can speak both [of] their languages
When you were growing up how did you learn about being "Igorot"
Its from the start.. you know, back then I grew up quite a bit in Baguio, and most of my neighbor no matter if its in Baguio.. There's a lot of Igorots over there where I grew up in Dagsian, Baguio city [which is] just below Camp John Hay right below Scout barrio. I lived quite a bit over. Everybody i associated with are Igorot. That was how I learned the languages: the Ibaloi [and Kankanaey].
Most of us most of the people over there are from western mountain province right there in Dagsiyan and we have an Ibaloi coming from Kamp 7. Yeah, I was taught I was an Igorot- I was told, even the neighbors are Igorot, even the lowlanders I have to deal with they tell me I am Igorot, so I know for sure.
On Growing up a Half-Benguet, Half-Mountain Province person
When I go to my father's side, especially when i was younger, [they say] "ah ibenguet" kunana, the people from my father's side would call me "ibenguet" (from Benguet). When I go to my mother's side, they call me "ibontoc" (from Bontoc) they call me that. When I was young, I was confused.
They have certain jokes about each side, and they have different beliefs, but they make fun of me [on both sides]
Its all good!
they ibenguet are shy.. ibontoc.. if we are from the western they say "hey headhunters" busul" they dont know that even the benguet.. You know that Bendian dance they got- thats for [after busul] and it originated from its from Kabayan, that Bendian dance. Nobody does that around Benguet except for Kabayan. They're the ones who have been doing its only now in modern times that people are doing it.