THE Cordillera Cultural Ensemble
Performer, Dancer, and Musician in New York City
CCE is a community of Igorots or Cordillerans residing in New York and the surrounding states, proudly representing the diverse provinces of ABRA, APAYAO, BAGUIO, BENGUET, IFUGAO, KALINGA, and MOUNTAIN PROVINCE in the Philippines of the Cordillera region. Our mission is to honor and preserve our indigenous heritage, culture, and history, which we consider as precious gifts worthy of passing to the next generations. We are guided by our sacred principle to promote better relationships, unity, and cooperation amongst each member and with other organizations in the region. We endeavor to support our objectives through social and charitable work by partnering and collaborating with other government and non-government institutions in NY and the nearby states.
The CORDILLERA CULTURAL ENSEMBLE is an independent group dedicated to promoting the Igorot cultural heritage and history through ethnic dances and songs in our traditional native attire, celebrating courtship, kinship, and friendship, social gatherings, and festivities.
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The Igorot are Indigenous peoples of the mountainous Cordillera region in the northern Philippines. The term "Igorot" was given to them by Spanish colonizers, derived from the word igorotes (people of the mountains), and refers to a collection of different ethno-linguistic groups, rather than a single tribe. They are known for their advanced rice terrace engineering, gold mining, distinct textiles, and resilient culture, which historically helped them maintain independence from Spanish and American rule.
The Igorot people
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Origin and Identity
Austronesian Ancestry:
Igorot peoples are Austronesian, with genetic studies showing their ancestry from the ancient Austronesian expansion originating in Southern China and Taiwan around 3000-2000 BCE.
The Austronesian people have recently been dubbed as the "Vikings of Asia".
The label "Vikings of Asia" highlights the extraordinary seafaring prowess of the Austronesian peoples, who embarked on a massive oceanic expansion thousands of years before the Norsemen. The comparison captures Austronesians' skill in navigation and their widespread influence, but it also glosses over key differences in technology, motivation, and the outcome of their voyages.
Geographic Location:
They reside in the Cordillera Central mountain range in the northern part of Luzon, the largest island of the Philippines.
Diverse Groups:
"Igorot" is a broad term encompassing various distinct ethnolinguistic groups, such as the Ifugao, Kalinga, Bontoc, Kankanaey, Ibaloy, and Tinnguian, among others.
Cultural and Historical Significance
The Igorot are renowned for their sophisticated rice terrace systems, which represent some of the most advanced and largest in the world.
Due to their mountainous terrain and strong warrior traditions, the Igorot successfully resisted Spanish and American attempts at complete colonization, allowing them to preserve their cultural and political autonomy.
Many Igorot people practiced native beliefs, often described as animism, which involved reverence for ancestral spirits and nature. Since the American colonization in 1898, the majority of Igorots became Episcopalian, Anglican, Protestant, and Pentecostal Christians.
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Visit our website at www.cordilleraculturalensemble.com