'Tapey' (Rice Wine) making : A Living Tradition of Cordillera
Cordillera
Administrative Region is a mountainous area, the native land of igorots. A
place blessed with natural resources excellent for source of living. The place
haths with fertile soil good for planting various types of fruits and
vegetables. Consequently, it is in this region where the Salad Bowl of the
Philippines was found. Cordillera is also rich in mineral deposits such as
gold. Morever, they are also rich in culture and tradition being taught and
inherited from their ancestors.
One of the
traditions they are practicing until now is the ‘ tapuey ' making. From the
Wikipedia, tapuy also spelled as tapuey or tapey, is a rice wine produced in
the Philippines. It is a traditional beverage originated from Banaue and the
Mountain Province, where it is used for important occasions such as weddings,
rice harvesting ceremonies, fiestas and cultural fairs. It is produced from
either pure glutinous or a combination of glutinous rice and non-glutinous rice
together with onuad roots, ginger
extract, and a powdered starter culture locally known as bubod. Tapuy is an
Ilokano name. The wine is more commonly called baya or bayah in Igorot
languages.
In Atok,
Benguet my hometown, there are only a few who makes tapey nowadays. Although
there are a few stores who makes and sells tapey near the highway. Among the
townsfolk, there are a few Christians who still do cultural practices, such as
rituals wherein the tapey is needed so they make. They stock it in a jar for
future use when needed. They only use a cap of tapey in each ritual to be
performed. It will be placed right infront of the native priest (mambunong) or
sometimes he/ she (the mambunong) will hold the cup while reciting the prayer
in their own language right beside the food or the animals being sacrificed.
After that, they are going to let the concerned person/s (the reason for the
ritual) to drink it. However, it can just be anointed in the forehead.
The Bubod
The main
ingredients to make tapey are the red rice and the bubod (yeast). The red rice
to be used can either be the balatinao or the the kintoman, depends on what you
desired or what is available. Balatinao is darker in color and best when you
want to make is the dried one. The kintoman has a light color and best when you
want to make is the watery or your purpose is its extract. The yeast they are
using is their traditionally made which is called the bubod, it is circle in
shape.
In the
process of making the tapey, firs,t is to cook the red rice. Next, is they let
it cool in a wider container or a winnowing basket which they called as kiyag.
Making sure that the red rice is thouroughly cooled and has no lumps or coarse
particles. Then, mix the powderized bubod. It should be mixed properly to avoid
immediate breakdown. Finally, put it in a jar or a container making sure that
it is tightly sealed. It is then stored in a dark place with a normal room
temperature.
Tapey is
used as an honor to the god Kabunian in preparation for a bountiful harvest,
while the Ifugao use the rice wine as a confirmation of the Kadangyans (rich
man) status in society. The Kadangyans also uses the tapey as a celebration
offering for a bountiful harvest.
The Ibaloi
natives of Benguet on the other hand, uses the tapey for the ritual of bâ'diw,
an intimate gathering for traditional poem recital. The tapey is served to the
male participants of the ritual. However, the type of tapey served to the
distinguished participants of the bâ’diw, is different, as the elders, and the
upper-classmen in the Ibaloi community are previliged to be served with the
best and the first serving of the rice wine that is stronger than any other
tapey kind. The common second servings are then given to common men who are
present in the ritual.
SOURCE:
Top 18 Banaue Tourist Spots: Rice Terraces and NatureTrips
By Ella Larena
https://images.app.goo.gl/y9WzeRp9Y2H8JDJV6
Let's Drik To That: The 'Tapey' (Rice Wine)
Dehl
https://images.app.goo.gl/85rRNZBecUPjG4bA6
Ifugao Rice Is An Endangered Heritage Food That Could Disappear Soon
by Mario Alvaro Limos
July 6, 2021
https://www.esquirema.ph/long-reads/features/ifugao-rice-a00293-20210706-lfrm
Rice Grain Decoration High Resolution Stock Photography
Alamy
https://images.app.goo.gl/fSBAViUvqtF44ym78丨ןןןן
Food: Beverage - How to make Bubod (Wine Yeast)
Sunday, September 29, 2013
http://images.app.goo.gl/lYrq6Nk9CZeMUdop8
Watch ''HOW TO MAKE RICE WINE (TAPEY) | CORDILLERA'S FINEST |
Amica J.
https://youtube.be/10fQr-UjgMQ
THE SEARCH Pride FOR and honor 'TAPUEY' in rythm
The Manila Times By Alexis Laura Feliciano
11 Sep 2009
https//www.pressreader.com/philippines/manila-times/20090911/28185722957529
Wikipedia