Long the mainstay drafty animal of Ilokano farmers, the carabao is a friend and symbol of the sturdy Ilokanos. When the animal is born, it is allowed to roam free under the guidance of its mother. Once the carabao has been weaned, it's nose is pierced to accommodate the taldeng or reign. A reigned carabao is an obedient carabao. The carabao is then trained to be hitched to the arado, the pasagad or the karison.
Without sweat or sebaceous glands, the carabao is not resistant to heat. When exposed to the sun, the carabao would be uneasy and would easily pant. When allowed to graze in the fields, it needs to be put back in the shade at 9 to 9:30 in the morning. When it is being used to plow the fields, it needs to drink plenty of water and bathed.
The nuang is a lover of water, hence, its English name is water buffalo. It loves to wallow in the streams, ponds and rivers. It is said that a carabao is a born swimmer. Unless carried by flood, the carabao is nearly undrownable. It floats in water and farmers were known to brave raging rivers while they are riding on their backs.
The carabao eats corn leaves, rice stalks, grass, vines and even tree leaves. It is known to be hardworking, specially the castrated ones.
Carabaos have a special place in the milieu of the Ilokano culture. It is a friend that the Ilokano race would always treasure amidst the march of modern agricultural advances.