By Delfin G. Lasdacan
During my childhood days, I often encountered “Sedey,” usually placed at entrances, pathways, or places where people were going. I remember seeing a simple stick or grass-bamboo “miscanthus sinensis” with leaves tied to it. I did not fully understand what it meant. I only knew that whenever my grandmother saw a sign like this, she would tell us not to trespass, not to touch it, and not to continue going into the area. She would remind us to respect the sign because there was a reason why it was placed there.
As I grew older, I began to understand that Sedey is more than just a simple sign made from a stick and leaves. It is part of our traditional way of communicating with one another. It tells people that a certain place is restricted and should not be entered or disturbed. Remembering what my grandmother taught us makes Sedey more meaningful. It connects my childhood experience with the traditions and values of our ancestors.
In the Philippines, the Cordillera Administrative Region is home to many Indigenous Peoples with rich traditions and knowledge about community life, nature, spirituality, and responsibility. Among these Indigenous Peoples are the Applai, one of the Igorot ethnolinguistic groups found in Western Mountain Province, particularly in areas like Sagada and nearby municipalities. Like other Indigenous groups, the Applai have traditional practices that help guide people in their daily lives. These practices teach respect for elders, nature, sacred places, community rules, and the beliefs passed down from one generation to another.
One of these traditional practices is known as Sedey. Sedey may be understood as a traditional physical warning or restriction sign. It can be made using a fresh or dried grass-bamboo locally known as “pa-o or runo”, with leaves tied to it. The grass-bamboo and leaves are arranged or placed in a way that people in the community understand. When people see Sedey, they know that they should stop and not enter the area without permission.
Sedey in Sagada, Mountain Province is practiced as a means of healing communicable diseased that are presently experienced in the community and protection from virus and diseases that may enter the place. In planning of the sedey, usually begins with the elders or traditional leaders gathering at the “dap-ay” (the meeting place of the old folks). They discuss the purpose and appropriate timing of the rest day, considering agricultural activities, community needs, or traditional celebrations. Through consultation and consensus, they decide the date, duration, rules, and activities to be observed.
After the decision, the elders may conduct the necessary traditional prayers or rituals and then announce the rest day to the community. Community members are expected to stop their regular work, especially farming activities, and follow the customary practices. Elders or designated community members help monitor compliance to ensure that everyone observes the rest day and respects the traditions of the community. Male elders are the only ones authorized to put and remove the sedey that starts in the morning and ends in the morning the next day.
Interview with the elders Wa-I, Tiw-ak and Kannit of Pide, Sagada about the process of Sedey they just performed last September 13, 2026. The other picture shows the Sedey placed in the dap-ay.
The message is simple: “Do not enter. Do not proceed. Do not touch. Do not disturb. Rest day. Respect this place.”
What makes Sedey special is that it does not need written words. In modern society, we use signs that say “No Entry,” “Keep Out,” “Danger,” or “Do Not Touch.” These signs are usually made for everyone to understand. Sidey serves a similar purpose, but its meaning is connected to the culture and traditions of the community. People who understand the tradition immediately know that the sign must be respected.
The road and bridge entering the community was barricaded with the sedey. Uninformed residents coming home, visitors, and cars are not allowed to enter.
For me, this is one of the most meaningful parts of Sedey. It shows that communication does not always need words. A simple object from nature can communicate an important message. The people in the community already understand what it means because the knowledge has been passed down by their parents, grandparents, and elders.
The meaning of Sedey becomes even deeper when connected with the cultural principle of “Inayan”. Inayan is an important traditional idea that teaches people not to do something that is wrong, harmful, disrespectful, or forbidden. In simple words, it can be understood as “Do not do it” or “Do not violate what is not meant to be violated.”
When Sedey is placed in an area, Inayan reminds people to control themselves and respect the restriction. A person should not say, “I can enter because nobody is watching.” Instead, the person should think, “There must be a reason why I am being told not to enter.” This teaches self-discipline and respect.
In traditional communities, Sedey is therefore more than a physical barrier. It can also represent a social and spiritual boundary. When someone deliberately ignores the sign, that person is not only entering a restricted place. The person may also be showing disrespect to the community, its elders, its customs, and the importance of the place.
Traditional beliefs may also say that violating a restriction can bring bad luck, illness, accidents, or other unfortunate consequences to a person or even to the person’s family. As a child, I remember hearing these warnings from my grandmother. Then, I simply believed that something bad might happen if we ignored the sign. As I grew older, I realized that the warning also served another purpose: it taught us to respect rules even when we did not completely understand them.
However, the consequences of violating Sedey are not only connected to the belief in bad luck or misfortune. Traditionally, a violation could also require the violator to provide live pigs and/or chickens as a form of customary fine or restitution. These animals may then be used in the appropriate traditional ceremony to restore peace, address the violation, and seek reconciliation according to community practice. The number or kind of animals required may depend on the seriousness and circumstances of the violation and the customary decision of the community or elders.
In more recent times, money may sometimes be accepted as a replacement for the animals, depending on the customary agreement and the value or number of pigs and chickens that would have been required for the ceremony or to repeat the ceremony. This shows that customary practices can adapt to changing circumstances while still maintaining their basic purpose. The important point is not simply the monetary value of the fine, but the recognition that a violation has occurred and that the person must take responsibility for the action.
For me, this part of the tradition makes Sedey even more meaningful. It shows that the custom is not only a warning but also a way of maintaining order within the community. A person who violates a restriction cannot simply ignore the consequences. There is a process for taking responsibility and restoring harmony.
It is important to understand that these customary fines should not simply be viewed as punishment. They can also be understood as a way of restoring relationships and community harmony. When a person violates an important customary rule, the problem may affect more than the individual. It can affect the family, the owner of the place, and the wider community. The customary process provides a way to acknowledge the wrongdoing and make things right.
Whether a person personally believes in the spiritual consequences or not, the cultural lesson remains important. If a community says that a place is restricted, we should respect it. We do not need to challenge or make fun of the belief. We should first understand its meaning and respect the people who continue to practice it.
Sedey can also help protect the environment. Many Indigenous communities have a close relationship with the land. Their lives depend on forests, farms, rivers, springs, and other natural resources. Certain areas may also have spiritual or cultural importance. By restricting access to these places, the community can prevent unnecessary disturbance and protect the environment.
This shows that traditional practices can have both cultural and practical purposes. Sedey may protect a sacred place, but it can also protect plants, crops, property, water sources, animals, and other resources. It reminds people that nature should not simply be taken for granted.
For example, imagine walking along a mountain trail and seeing a stick with leaves tied to it across the entrance of a certain area. Someone who does not know the tradition might think that the object is simply just a piece. However, a person who understands sidey will know that it is a warning. The proper response is to stop, respect the boundary, and ask someone from the community if permission is needed.
This example teaches us an important lesson about cultural awareness. When we visit another community, we should not assume that we already understand everything we see. Some objects may have meanings that are known only to the local people. We should listen to elders, local guides, and community members before entering places that may have cultural or spiritual significance.
Sedey is also very important in today’s world because Indigenous cultures face many challenges. Modernization, tourism, social media, construction, and the increasing number of visitors can sometimes affect traditional places and practices. People may enter sacred areas simply because they want to take pictures or explore. They may not realize that their actions can be disrespectful.
Responsible tourism should therefore include respect for local customs. If visitors see a sedey, they should not remove it, step over it, touch it, or ignore it. They should ask permission and follow the rules of the community. Respecting a traditional sign is a simple way of showing respect for the people who live there.
I also believe that Sedey is an important lesson for young people. It teaches us that freedom comes with responsibility. Just because we are physically able to enter a place does not mean that we have the right to enter. Just because we can touch something does not mean that we should touch it. We must learn to respect boundaries.
Tour guide Lorenzo Suyon (September 13, 2026) explained the Sedey and the main reason why tourist activities in the area is temporarily suspended and no one is allowed to cross the sedey. When any visitor or resident coming back home crossed the Sedey, the ceremony performed will be repeated. Whatever expenses will be shouldered by the violators.
This lesson can also be applied to our everyday lives. We should respect other people’s homes, belongings, privacy, beliefs, and personal space. We should also respect nature and places that have historical or cultural importance. Sedey teaches us to stop and think before we act.
My childhood memories of my grandmother are therefore connected to a much bigger lesson. When she told us not to trespass whenever we saw Sedey, she was not simply telling us to stay away from a particular place. She was teaching us one of the values that our ancestors considered important— respect.
Sedey also became especially meaningful during the COVID-19 pandemic. During the outbreak, traditional community restrictions were practiced in Sagada as part of efforts to control movement and protect the community. This showed how an old cultural practice could still have meaning in a modern situation. Restricting access and controlling the movement of people helped the community respond to a serious health threat. It demonstrated the importance of community cooperation and following agreed restrictions during difficult times.
For me, this is a powerful example of how traditional knowledge can continue to be useful. It does not mean that traditional practices replace modern science or public health measures. Rather, it shows that the values of cooperation, discipline, and respect for community rules can support people during times of crisis.
Looking back, I now understand why my grandmother was serious whenever she saw Sedey. She understood that the sign represented something important. She knew that it was not something to be ignored or treated as an ordinary object. Her simple reminder, “Do not trespass,” was actually a lesson about culture, respect, responsibility, and community.
Ultimately, Sedey represents more than a traditional “No Entry” sign. It represents the wisdom of a community that has learned to communicate, protect its spaces, and maintain harmony through customary practices. Together with the principle of Inayan, it teaches people to control their actions, respect boundaries, and understand that every action has consequences.
As a member of the younger generation, I believe that learning about Sedey is important because traditions can easily be forgotten if they are not taught and practiced. Our elders carry knowledge that cannot always be found in books. Their experiences, stories, and practices are part of our identity.
The lesson I learned from Sedey is simple but meaningful: when we see a boundary, we should respect it; when we do not understand something, we should ask; and when a community protects something important, we should help protect it too.
Sedey reminds us that our culture is not only found in celebrations, clothing, dances, or language. Culture is also found in the simple practices that guide how we live with one another and how we respect the places around us. Preserving Sedey means preserving a small but meaningful part of cultural heritage.
Most importantly, Sedey reminds me of my grandmother’s lessons. What once looked like an ordinary stick with leaves now represents something much greater: respect for our ancestors, respect for our community, respect for nature, and respect for the traditions that continue to guide us today.
Ethical Considerations:
The researcher ensured privacy, confidentiality, and informed consent throughout the research. The researcher secured permission from community leaders and authorized representatives before conducting interviews and taking photographs. Leaders, tour guides, and tourists were clearly informed about the purpose of the research, how the information and photographs will be used, and their right to refuse or withdraw their participation at any time. Personal information and responses will be kept confidential and used solely for journal purposes. Photographs will only be taken and included in the research with the explicit consent of the individuals concerned, respecting their privacy, cultural practices, and dignity.
About the Author:
Delfin G. Lasdacan is a Physical Educator, Coach & Officiating Official. A Master Teacher teaching at Baguio City High School. A recreational leader, promoting fitness as a lifelong process.
