NARRATOR;
In the beautiful land of Bantey, nestled amidst natures embrace, a fascinating folks story unfolds. Let us journey back in the time and discovery the origins of this enchanting place.
JEYDON; Wow this place is beautiful.
SHAWN; Yeah I agree with that and everyone here is kind.
JEYDON; but I’m curious why this place called Bantey?
NARRATOR;
(A FLASHBACK TO THE DISCOVERY OF BARANGGAY BANTEY AND PUROK MAKET-AN) Bantey got its name from the Kankanaey word “mabanbantey,” which means “a single line of people walking.” In the past, this place was covered in tall grass, and people didn’t pay much attention to it as a potential residential and agricultural area. But as time went on, the residents of nearby Sumadel and Batayan discovered that there were plenty of edible beetles called abal-abal in the area.
People of sumadel and batayan went to collect Abal-Abal in the baranggay bantey (as present)
BUGAN;
Dey ado ado nan Abal-Abal sidi entakot men ala.
DAYLEG;
Wn ta isaganak nan men ikabilak kad una ta daak ibaga gedan san tapi na.
BUGAN;
Aa wen asa tako pay men ila ngalod ad sidi ta un unak pay.
DAYLEG;
Wn sakami pay umunod.
NARRATOR;
A few minutes later, Bugan reach barangay bantey (as present) where they found an Abal-Abal.
BUGAN;
Nay mayat baw obpay sina ado nan makan, adaoek et ngarod nan alak ta agtak da ama ken ina.
NARRATOR;
Word spread about the abundance of these beetles, and people started visiting Bantey to collect them. They soon realized that Bantey also served as a great lookout point for any potential threats, like headhunters heading towards Sumadel. Whenever the guardsmen spotted headhunters approaching, they would shout a warning to Sumadel, saying, “De-ey di mabanbantey ay boso ay umali” (There is a line of headhunters coming).
The name “Bantey” became associated with this place because the word “mabanbantey” was frequently heard there. Additionally, people were often seen walking in a single file, which further reinforced the name.
NARRATOR;
As for Purok Maket-an, the story goes back to the Spanish era when a skin disease called bulutong broke out in Gonogon, Bontoc. The residents had to evacuate, and some of them headed towards an agricultural area called Kalimitan. On their way, they passed by a place called Maket-an. One person named Etbo decided to stay there and cleared a part of the forest to plant sweet potatoes (camote).
ETBO; Nay mayat sina si man mulaan si makanado nan danom ay isibog, Ta men mula ak et ngarod si bayading ta way kataguan, ado pay gayam ti ket-an.
NARRATOR;
When his relatives, who had gone to Kalimitan, saw the success Etbo had in Maket-an, they decided to join him.
Lalaki;
Entako et kitdin datngan si etbo id sidi
Lalaki;
Ampay tay dey maymayat ikan di mula sidi ay tumubo.
NARRATOR;
Soon, word spread to people from Sagada, Bangnen, and Sumadel about the thriving community in Maket-an, and they also settled in the area. It was believed that the place got its name from the abundance of a shell called Ket-an during that time.
SUBITTED BY; CLOWIE GAUDAN