Posthumously published article by Samuel Saldaen
According to the book written by Florentino S. Merino of Kabayan, Benguet, the Bendiyan ritual is performed when somebody is sick, and the Native priest determines that the Bendiyan has to be done. It is also a belief that the concentric formation should be tight, with the dancers almost touching elbows. This tight formation ensures the community will have bountiful harvests. To leave gaps in the circles would to risk having stunted crops and poor harvest.
The story goes that a long time ago, a warrior named Humeklay was sent somewhere to bring back the head of an enemy so the Bendiyan ritual will be performed for a prominent ailing resident. For so many months, he was not able to get a head. He came up with the idea to make a dummy made of banana and fern tree, to resemble a human being.
The Bendiyan was performed for this prominent resident, and he got well. Humeklay told the truth that they used a dummy so that a human head is no longer required. Peace among the neighboring tribes was restored because there was no more headhunting.
The Bendiyan has eight dancing positions:
1) Pinesbikan
The command "Dimbabaan!" is shouted, meaning "attack and take cover". The right hand is extended upward and the left hand extended downward, almost touching the ground.
2) Salawasao
The command to move into this position is "Wao-hoy Salawasaaao!" meaning "Announce to the world: we are the bravest victorious warriors." Both hands are raised above the head like carabao horns. The palms faced each other and moved up and down from the wrist.
3) Kinitangan
The lead shouts "Wo-hoy Kinitangaaan!" meaning "Relax" hands akimbo, body swaying side to side.
4) Kinikiyan
The command "Wao-hoy Kinikiyaaan" is shouted which is a challenge to the enemy "better to serve us than to be our slaves." The right hand is bent from the elbow and tucked under the armpit. The left hand extended forward palms facing up.
5) Inushongan
The lead dancer commands "Wao-hoy Inushongaaan!" meaning "Protection" The warriors, protectors, of the community willing to die to the last person. Both hands are thrust forward slightly above the head, palms downward, the hands are moved up and down.
6) Inodiyan
The command is "Wao-hoy inodiyaaan!" meaning "Turn" or "Reverse," to confuse the enemy, with the same movement as Inushongan (#5) just going in the other direction.
7) Pinadjosan
The command "Wao-hoy pinadjosaaan!" meaning "Fortune" is a movement where the warriors carry the spoils of war. With both arms up like wings, palms facing up, and the body bent forward, the head is downcast as they sway side to side.
8) Innabaya
The command "Wao-hoy innabayaaaa!" meaning "Put up" is a movement where the hands receive the spoils to carry home. The hands are up to the sides, bent at the elbow with open palms. The body is upright. The dancers are dismissed.
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