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TAM-AWAN VILLAGE BAGUIO, the fertility hut and the sunset view deck

My __nth travel to Baguio last May 19 where I was one of the guest speakers for the 1st Baguio Blog Conference and the side trip that ensued to what they call TAM-AWAN Village changed my perception of the City of Pines altogether.

Simply put,I never seen Baguio with this much soul.I know,I have long recognized the city with a unique culture and tradition but staying downtown during most of my stays  made me think of Baguio as more of an urban area with a little traditional side .Last December though, we visited Bencab Museum along Asin Road and that's where my perception of the city started to shift.The latest addition being Tam-Awan Village cemented that transition.
Tanaw-an Village entrance fee 
TAM-AWAN VILLAGE BAGUIO

Tam-Awan Village was created when Chanum Foundation acquired three knocked-down huts from Bangaan, Ifugao.The idea is to reconstruct Ifugao houses in Baguio with the view of making a model village accessible to people who have not had the chance to travel to the Cordillera interior.

Tam-awan village now has seven Ifugao huts and two Kalinga houses.The materials used were the original ones acquired.
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tanaw-an village symbol-logo


ALANG

The first thing you will notice upon entering Tam Awan Village would be  the ALANG or rice granary.On the entrance of the Alang are BULOL STATUES (traditional wood carvings depicting rice gods) guarding it.
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ARTIST HAVEN

The Village is an artists haven.It was after all created due to the initiative of these private individuals and their dedication to the local culture and the arts.You will usually see some of these artists gather at the craft shop.The whole place exudes of art and craft.

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with Azrael and Fitz

Have you heard of the TAM-AWAN International Arts Festival (TIAF)? They were on their third this year. Check the post here:http://www.pusangkalye.net/2012/05/3rd-tam-awan-international-arts.html
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Manila Bloggers with the Cordillera Bloggers


 TAM-AWAN CAFE

 This is here where you want to try PINIKPIKAN, Dayap Iced Tea or the Bengued Blend Brewed Coffee like we did.I will be talking about the food experience and the pinikpikan on my next post. Be sure to look for it :)


PS: It is interesting to note that Tam-Awan Village has a well organized and informative website.They even have the entire menu online!Galing! http://tam-awanvillage.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=70&Itemid=73

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THE FERTILITY HUT

The dukligan or fertility hut is located next to the Cafe. In traditional Ifugao practice,couples stay there for a month so as to mate. If the woman fails to conceive within that period, the man is allowed to sleep with another woman without forfeiting the marriage. Same goes with the woman, she can sleep with another man to find out which of them is infertile.Talk about ingenuity in the absence of technology. I was awed when I heard of the story :)
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Fertility house_Tanaw_an Village
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Do you know the story behind the circular wood common among traditional Ifugao houses.One of the members of Cordillera Bloggers, Dean of http://watwatworld.com/  explained to us that they are incorporated in the house designs so as to serve as deterrent to rats and other pests from climbing the hut coz Igorots usually keep food grains in their huts.Cool!
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my wife near a fertility statue--shall I say,pregnant gnome? :)


CLIMBING THE SUNSET VIEW DECK

Yes, there is a part of the village they call Sunset View Deck.As the name implies, this is where you will have a view of the sun as it sets in South China Sea.That view from Baguio? Must be a wonderful sight!If you are lucky that is,coz we were not.It was foggy when we climbed.It took us around 15 minutes or so to navigate the trail and was kinda fun.

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HOW TO COMMUTE TO TAM-AWAN VILLAGE

By Jeepney -- take the Plaza-Quezon Hill-Tam-awan jeepney or the Long-long via Tam-awan Jeepney from Kayang Street, behing and above the Baguio City Market.
It is located in Pinsao proper Baguio City.
 
at the sunset view deck with Vince of the Cordillera Bloggers :)


Yes, we always see on the surface the Baguio City which is a mix of traditional Cordillera Culture and urbanity.Little do we know that there are small patches of interests in the city which leads to a deeper understanding of the culture of the Cordillera Region.Tam-Awan Village is a hidden gem in the dwindling heritage of Baguio City and the Cordilleras.


You might also wanna check BENCAB Museum which is just a few minutes away from Tam-Awan Village.Read my post here:  

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Thanks to Cordillera Bloggers for the tour!:)

Comments

  1. artistic nung place saka lakas makaAmaya haha parang ang refreshing nmn dyn

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  2. the fertility hut? wow. this must be ancient... nice. :)

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  3. I really love the place!!! perfect for relaxation.

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