The word “Ibanag” derives from the prefix “i” meaning ... - Buffalo

Ibanag folk literature consists of the folk speech, namely, proverbs and riddles, and
the folk narratives, composed of myths and legends. All are transmitted orally.
Riddles which are called palavvuh can be classified as a form of social literature, as
riddling often becomes a favorite pastime during work or leisure and provides
entertainment at most social gatherings. Most of the riddles take the form of
monorhyming couplets (Eugenio 1982:379, 388):
Egga y tadday nga ulapa
Funnuan na kanan y bagui na. (Kandela)
There is a certain fool
That eats up its own body. (Candle)
Egga y babui ta Manila
Maguinna toye y guni na. (Arugok)
My pig in Manila
Its squeal can be heard here. (Thunder)
There are numerous proverbs known as unoni which reflect the life and the world of the
Ibanag. These proverbs contain many of the basic tenets about life and human nature
upheld by the people. Like the riddles, these proverbs are often expressed in
monorhyming couplets of 5 to 12 syllables per line. Here are some examples (Eugenio
1982:353-354, 357):
Y baruasi nga inikkaw,
Nu ari atazzi, alawa nikao.
One who wears something borrowed,
Even in the street, will be stripped.
Ariammu ibilang tu kukuwan
Nu ari paga nakadde ta limam.
Do not consider as certain that
which you do not actually hold,
For even the rice you carry to your mouth
may still fall.
Kitu nga nepallo y uvug na
Awan tu makaga na.
Barking dogs
Seldom bite.
The myths are prose narratives that explain the origin of the world, people, animals,
places, and other natural phenomena. Its characters are either humans or animals and
deities with human attributes. The actions and adventures of these characters are set