In the olden times, the people of Agawa, Besao, Mountain Province learned to keep track of time with the help of a stone calendar. The start of the new year was celebrated when the sun rested perfectly on top of the rock called Ambaon-bato as seen while sitting with the back resting on the stone calendar at Dap-ay Awaw at sunrise. This signaled that it was once again the season to sow the rice grains. From careful observation and recording, it was learned that the event happens every September 30 of the year. This day is also known as the Feast of Linnapet, a day to prepare this indigenous rice cake and to share it with relatives, neighbors and friends.
The celebration of linnapet day once a year is a ritual of sharing and of strengthening community ties. This practice has been passed on through the generations and continues to the present, though many from Agawa now reside outside of their homeland.
LINNAPET
Sticky rice and peanuts wrapped in banana leaf
Iyaplai/Besao, Mountain Province
2 kilos ground glutinous rice
2 kilos ground glutinous rice
1 teaspoon salt
½ kilo sugar
Hot water
½ kilo peanuts, roasted and ground
½ cup sugar
Banana leaves
Place the rice, salt and sugar ingredients in a big bowl. Mix well.
Add hot water little by little, and mix evenly, just enough to make a stiff dough.
Add sugar to the roasted ground peanuts.
Prepare banana leaves by wilting over a fire and cut into 10 inch square pieces.
Get one banana leaf square, place some of the rice mixture, top with ground peanuts, and fold the banana leaf to wrap. Continue until the rice mixture is all wrapped up.
Arrange the wraps in a big pot. Place water until 1/3 full. Boil for 25 – 30 minutes, or until cooked. Serve and share with relatives, friends and neighbors.
