Mayoyao

Welcome to Mayoyao, a breathtaking mountain municipality in Ifugao, Philippines, where rice terraces touch the clouds and ancient traditions echo through the cool Cordilleran breeze. Far from the hustle of modern cities, Mayoyao is a destination where culture, nature, and history blend harmoniously in a vibrant display of indigenous pride.

Mayoyao is nestled in the eastern part of Ifugao and boasts stunning highland scenery, pristine rivers, and some of the oldest rice terraces in the province. With cool weather year-round and a tight-knit Ifugao community, this upland gem offers a serene escape filled with adventure and authenticity.

• Mayoyao Rice Terraces: Recognized as part of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, these terraces are a masterpiece of indigenous engineering, cultivated for over 2,000 years.
• Mount Nagchajan: A scenic hiking destination with panoramic views and historical significance as a WWII battle site.
• Akakoy Viewpoint: A perfect spot to capture the iconic layers of the rice terraces, especially during sunrise.
• Tenogtog Waterfalls: Hidden in the lush forest, this tranquil spot is ideal for nature lovers and photographers.
• Traditional Ifugao Houses: See the “Bale” and “Inappal” huts still standing strong as symbols of sustainable indigenous architecture.

The people of Mayoyao are proud Ifugao, known for their rich oral traditions, weaving, and woodcarving skills. The Mayoyao dialect of the Ifugao language is widely spoken, though Ilocano and Filipino are also understood. Community life revolves around kinship, ancestral worship, and farming rituals that have been passed down for centuries.

• Pinikpikan: A Cordilleran chicken delicacy seasoned with etag (smoked meat).
• Inlagim: Native chicken cooked with rice wine and local herbs.
• Ifugao rice wine (Bayah): Locally brewed and often used in ceremonies.
• Hand-pounded heirloom rice: Often served during special occasions, rich in flavor and history.

• Kulpi’ad Festival (July): Mayoyao’s town fiesta that features cultural parades, traditional Ifugao dance performances, rice wine rituals, and native games like “guyudan” (tug of war).
• Imbayah Festival (shared with other Ifugao towns): A grand thanksgiving celebration highlighting ancient rituals, woodcarving, and indigenous sports.

Music in Mayoyao remains deeply rooted in ritual chants, gong ensembles, and Hudhud chants, a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. These are sung during rice planting, harvest, and storytelling sessions by the elders.

• Being a key part of the UNESCO-listed Ifugao Rice Terraces
• Its warrior heritage during the Battle of Mount Nagchajan
• Preserving pure indigenous traditions in music, architecture, and rituals
• Producing heirloom rice varieties highly valued both locally and abroad