Isnag

Isnag, also spelled Isneg or Itneg, refers to an indigenous ethnolinguistic group in the northern Philippines. They are primarily located in Apayao Province in the Cordillera Administrative Region, with smaller communities in adjacent provinces. They speak the Isnag language, a Northern Luzon language of the Austronesian family; many speakers are bilingual in Filipino or Ilocano.

The Isnag are one of several Cordillera peoples who farm on the highlands, cultivating rice, corn, and vegetables, and maintaining traditional settlement patterns in upland and river areas. Social life tends to center on the clan or village, with kinship and communal labor playing important roles. Traditional crafts include weaving and woodwork, and musical and ritual practices reflect a blend of indigenous beliefs and Christianity in many communities.

Historically, Isnag communities interacted with Spanish, American, and Philippine state authorities, and in contemporary times they participate in recognized indigenous rights frameworks in the Philippines, including land claims and self-governance under national laws. The Isnag are part of the broader Cordillera cultural zone, sharing linguistic and cultural affinities with neighboring groups while maintaining distinct customs and identity.