Impuhuwa’, Taynan daa man (Sweetheart, am leaving you)

Impuhuwa’, Taynan daa man*

Nonnomom, adim hinhimhimongon

Linummu hi eta binumtikan

Inukuham an ipaliy momon

Te inalim di mahangaan

Din imbagan da ama i ina

Ha maonnoman kuma hi babuy

Ta makahidanda di maamung

Ahi matundan iha kahalta

Pangipatamtaman hi ginuyguy

Mu onaot bo on nun nangamung

Alyonon ta agge innunnudan

Di umaliyan tah tun ad Manila

Te ona’ gayam inhaphapitan

An kayma’id mahan ha inila

Inalim di ahi ta munbanngad

Nu nawaday mamanguluh iple

Mu maid nan hahaddon hi bayag

Numpohodananta di nunggopnad

Mu nonomnomo’ da amah’ boble

Mangitundu’ hi maphod an biyag

Miyunud a nu nanomnoman a

Mu ibatim di layam ya ukum

Ituluytay numpohhodananta

Mu mahapul maukat di pihhum

Ugalih din kanaman an nahamad

Ya mahangaan mu maanusan

Alpuwan di wagan di aammod

Nagidah et on ta mo nunhamad

Mabo’lay pihhu ot mahannotan

Mu wadan he’a hin on a mihnod

****

The following is a translation by the author

Sweetheart, I’ll leave you now

Bear in mind, don’t act like you forgot

The reason we run away from home

You selfishly failed to offer the momon

For you said it is very extravagant

The one my parents asked for

A pig that requires six people to carry

So guests can have a generous fill

Then to be followed by a wedding celebration

Where we can treat our guests to the taste of intestines

But you made everything uncertain

I wish I had not consented

That we come here to Manila

For you simply swayed me over

As if I never knew a thing

You promised we will go back

When we have our first child

But none came, too much time has passed

Love is our foundation

But I yearn for my folks at home

Who I know could directs me to a good life

Come after me if you have wisdom

But leave behind your lies and selfishness

And we’ll continue loving each other

But you have to shell out your treasure

The hometown practices are long set

Maybe extravagant but bearable

A source of blessing from ancestors

And when done with and we’re in our married life

The money would be earned and replenished

But it is all up to you if you follow me home

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*This Ifugao version followed the form of an ode although the rough English translation didn't.  The poem was also read during the Panangbenga Poetry Reading as part of UP Baguio's Rambak Sining on February 20, 2014.