The Ibaloi (also spelled Ibaloy; Ibaloi: ivadoy, ) are an indigenous ethnic group found in Benguet province of the northern Philippines. Ibaloi is derived from i-, a prefix signifying "pertaining to" and badoy or house, together then meaning "people who live in houses". The Ibaloi are one of the indigenous peoples collectively known as Igorot (igudut, "hill-dwellers"), who live in the Cordillera Central of Luzon.
Distribution
The Ibaloi inhabit the southeastern part of Benguet Province. The area is rich in mineral resources like copper, gold, pyrite, and limestone. Plants and animals are also abundant in the forests and mountain areas, and there is an extensive water system that includes the Bued River, Agno River, and Amburayan River. Mount Pulag, the third highest mountain of the Philippines, is found in their territory and is a culturally important area as well, considered the place where spirits join their ancestors.
Language
The native language of the Ibaloi people is Ibaloi, also known as Inibaloi or Nabaloi. The Ibaloi often also speak Ilocano and Tagalog as a second language.
Culture
thumb|1896 illustration of Ibaloi tattoo patterns (), which are records of war exploits and status. The figurative designs included (left to right) a human being (), a lizard ( or ), a snake (), and scorpions. Also note the wheel-like sun () motif on the hands.
Ibaloi society is composed of the rich (baknang) and three poor classes, the cowhands (pastol), farmhands (silbi), and non-Ibaloi slaves (bagaen). Pounded guava and patani leaves are applied to the corpse to prevent maggot or worm infestation while the body dries, the process taking anywhere from two months to even a year until the body is hardened.
Religion
Many Ibalois are now Christians of various denominations, though many of them still practice traditional Ibaloi faith.
The Ibaloi believe in two kinds of spirits (anitos). The nature spirits are associated with calamities, while the ancestral ones (ka-apuan) make their presence known in dreams or by making a family member sick.