Jasper Shan Aquilino Ballatong cut his hair for the first time through ‘kolot’ on his 8th birthday.
Kolot is a prestige rite in Ifugao for young boys before cutting their hair for the first time.
Ruben Gumangan, a Hudhud chanter said kolot is also a way of coming together by the family, friends, and the community.
“This is like a reunion because both sides of the parents (Jimmy and Shahani Ballatong) are here to celebrate as well as the community,” he said.
Blacio Lindawan, a mumbaki from Camandag, Asipulo said any Ifugao young boy may undergo kolot as long as the family agrees and prepares the requirements to perform the prestige rite such as carabao, pigs, and chickens to be butchered and rice wine.
Kolot is performed in different stages with the beating of gongs, Ifugao chants, baki, for at least a night and a day.
Jasper’s mom Shahani said they didn’t plan for the kolot. They just did not cut Jasper’s hair since he was a baby.
Ballatong said the kolot was supposed to be on her son’s 7th birthday but due to the pandemic, they moved it this year with the easing of restrictions.
The family produced one carabao, four pigs, seven roosters to be butchered for the kolot.
Jasper expressed his excitement for his birthday and his kolot.
Jimmy Ballatong plans to also conduct a ballihong for his daughter and Jasper’s elder sister, Jacey Saizy, on her 18th birthday.
Ballihong is an Ifugao prestige rite for girls. – Florida B. Robles
