Tadek is the tribal traditional dance of different tribes in the northern Philippines that includes Ilocandia and Cordillera. These tribes include Bago, Kankanaey, Tingguian, Itneg among others.
There are variations to the steps of tadek depending on the occasions and rituals of the tribes in the regions. Men dances tadek by stomping their feet backward while female dancers are mostly doing it forward on their feet. But unlike modern dancing which participated by the young generations, tadek is an art being performed religiously and culturally by elderly. The traditions have it elderly are the leaders of the dance to be followed by traditions.
When dancing tadek the elderly men usually wearing g-string called ‘baag’ and the women are wearing the skirts called ingay.
Tadek is accompanied by musical instrument called ‘gangsa’. This instrument is made from bronze and has a shape of circular. The sound is produce by hitting it with a piece of wood that has the size of more or less six inches. The sound of gangsa may differ to each other because of the size of the instrument. Though most of the occasion the gangsa is being used for tadek but there are instance when other musical instrument are use like bamboo, gong drums among others.
There is a belief that playing gangsa and dancing tadek will bring the rain so the farmers can start their farming or shower the plants. But more than that, tadek and gangsa are especially performed during the rituals and festivals like the ‘begnas’ and ‘canao’. The festivals are the thanksgiving being practice by the tribes of the regions.
Modern living seems in the fast-paced world but these things are not left behind in our province. In fact the people always celebrate the festivals that include the Begnas and Kannawidan. Brick dance and rap may be in the dance floor but tadek will always be in the presentation. This is how we are mold to a happy community.
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So Tadek and Gangsa are Dance and Musical instruments. It is played by elderly people. But I am seeing some young ladies in the picture posted. Why only elderly people play. Why they tap their foot back and why the ladies forward? The dance appears to be some similarities with the dances of Manipur and Mizoram. The theme behind the dance is also very excellent We may name it as harvest dance. Still how many dances are there. What is the main dance of the people?
Tadek is a traditional practices and traditions are best practice by the elder people. But tradition is dying because of modern living. The most effective to pass the tradition is to teach them to the younger generations, which being done now in our region. The steps are being taught to them and there are reasons why it is done like that.
But actually, tadek is not only for harvest dance, this can also be perform in weddings, rituals, festivals among others. Every occasion varies different kind of tadek dance.