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A Canao is a socio-religious celebration in which a chicken, pig, or carabao is sacrificed and feasted upon. It may be held on occasions such as marriage, death, a cured sickness, and at several stages during the planting and harvesting cycle of the chinacon (first rice crop, grown Jan.-July). Canaos may take place at an ato, on sacred mountains, or in a home. Mass participation is required, and entire villages attend.

The animal's gall bladder is examined, and an offering is made to the anito, accompanied by prayers, and the meat is distributed, or cooked and eaten. Feasting and singing may last till dawn, accompanied by the drinking of tapuey (rice wine) or fayas (sugarcane wine). Bontocs love to sing and play their metal gongs, and both men and women dance with joyous abandon. Token portions of meat may be sent to faraway kinsmen.Tengao called Tengao in Bontoc and Obaya in Sagada, these are days of rest, when no one may leave home to go to the fields. They're announced by the council of elders, with penalties such as being fined one chicken for disobeying. Tengaos are observed at several points during the growing of the chinacon crop, when sacrificial offerings are made on a sacred mountain to ensure the success of the harvest. Other tengaos may be held at any time of the year, for a variety of reasons.