A "Gem" in the Southeastern Cordillera, Natonin is a land of tranquility, surrounded by scenic and extensive rice terraces, splashed by numerous waterfalls, streams and rivers that flow down the slopes of majestic mountains. Nested in between three high peaks, namely: Mount Amuyao in the west, Mount Oyayao in the north, and Mount Tinufuan (Ampalauag) in the south, Natonin is peopled by four ethno-linguistic tribes of no known origins. These tribes are thei-Ferangaos, i-Ha’ki, i-Majukayongs, and the i-Kachacrans. The cultural mix and the beautiful landscape of the place make it a perfect mountain retreat.
The early settlers of present day Natonin are composed of hunting and farming tribes. It is believed that they inhabited the place even prior to the coming of the Spaniards on Philippine shore as evidenced by the expanse of the rice terraces build on mountain slopes using only wooden tools. Because of the expanse of the rice terraces, Natonin had been the supplier of rice to the tribes of Tanudan to the north, the people of present day Paracelis to the east, the settlers of Barlig to the west and to the tribes of the former Mayoyao to the south. The presence of precious porcelain jars of Chinese origin in Natonin households indicates Either blood or trade ties with the ethnic Chinese.
The American Thomasites were the first ones to jot down the word “Natonin.” As to the reason why they jotted down the word could be deduced from at least three theories.
One, there is a place at the outskirt of the town center which is called Matongnin. It could be possible that the first encounter between the Americans and a native could have taken place here and the name of the place was uttered by the latter.
Two, the people of the Natonin refer to the chilly weather as “tongnin”. Saying, “It is cold” is simply uttered in the Natonin tongue as “Magtongnin.” It could have been very cold when the Americans set foot on Natonin that a local had remarked “magtongnin” and the Thomasite wrote down “Natonin.”
Three, the word “Mattomnin” is accordingly present in the Balangao dialect which literally means “eatingof cold rice.” It is suspected that a native had invited a foreigner or a group of Caucasians for breakfast by saying, “Umalea ta man Mattomnin ta!” or “Umaleayu ta man Mattomnin taw!” The statements simply mean, “Come let us have breakfast of cold rice!” (The writer had, in his entire life, not heard of the word “mattomnin” used by anyone.)
The Municipality of Natonin lies some 74 kilometers east of the capital town of Bontoc or a six-hour drive through rough road and steep mountain slopes. It could also be reached from Santiago City in five hours through the province’s easternmost town of Paracelis or four hours passing through Aguinaldo, Ifugao. It is flanked on the North by Tanudan in Kalinga; east by Paracelis, Mountain Province; west by Barlig, Mountain Province; and south by Aguinaldo in Ifugao.
