Sagada Local Customs

Sagadans have a strong traditional culture with many rituals associated with rice planting, harvest, weddings, wakes, purification and some are connected with nature specially the Bomod-ok falls. Sometimes they close this attraction because tribal leaders sometimes do rituals here. Don't be mad if such thing happens just respect their culture.

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Special occasion in Sagada like the weddings, it seems like the whole town is invited to the said occasion as the locals, both young and adults, fall in line to get their share of food served by the family of the newlyweds.

I was informed that the visitors, local or foreign, are free to join the queue. I didn't join, though. The heat of the sun was just unbearable to me.

Celebratory dances performed overnight by the locals are offered to the newlyweds, I can hear the sound of gongs played until wee hours.

hi, you can check tourist information in sagada municipal, regarding the caving you have to pay information fee of 15pesos. you have to pay the guide for sumaguing cave and ask them to connect you some other cave the payment is 400pesos inclding the transpo if im not mistaken. the rice teraces is located in banaue the original is in batad, you have to pay the guide too for 200pesos, its is 10km rough road on jeep or trycyle and 2 hrs walk if you want to see the stairways to heaven..sooo beautiful , the food and rooms are very cheap and the people in sagada are very hospitable and very nice ....really
happy trip

Official Sagada travel guide states the following:
1. Always wear decent attire in public.
2. No kissing, petting in public. Overt sexual acts in public and lewd behavior are taboo to the Sagada community.
3. Important papers, valuable items and cash are to be kept for safekeeping by the hotel management.
4. Do no deface caves, waterfalls, rice terraces, and other nature spots in the community.
5. Do not take pictures of individuals without their permission.
6. Do not use prohibited drugs.
7. Observe the 9:00 PM curfew hour.

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During our stay in Sagada, we were able to witness a wedding ceremony. Our tour guide invited us to attend the wedding (although he's not related to the bride & groom).. he told us that in Sagada, everyone is invited during a wedding ceremony.. meaning the whole town is invited. the occassion/ceremony is from morning till night or till people are still around and food is still available =)
the "band" plays their gongs and musical instruments and everyone and anyone can join in to dance with them.. and from the looks of it, any kind of dance is ok.. =)

Itag is a smoked pork (or chicken). Salted and preserved for two years (or more). One of the locales asked us to visit their house for some fortune-telling and itag-eating. Our curiousity led us to one of the houses. We were greeted by the town's eldest, asked us to drink gin and started to tell us something about our future. After the fortune-telling, we started eating itag. it has a distinct taste. I didn't like it that much though.

Don't worry about feeling hungry during the long journey in the bus. Every short stop you will see local carrying trays and baskets of foodstuff (some carry them on their heads) getting onto the bus and try to sell you their goodies. Most of the food are local food and snacks. You can buy your drinks or even icecreams. Rather convenient, eh....

The local government had set curfew at 9:00 p.m. It behooves all visitors to follow this. You can go and explore Sagada town all you want but please be sure to be in your hotel/inn when the clock strikes 9.

The last call for orders in the local bars comes at about 8:45 p.m. so please keep this in mind.