the ifugao hut - edited

8/12/2019 The Ifugao Hut - Edited

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The Ifugao HutUnderstanding its roots and essence

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Allorina, Alexandria J.


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Ifugao house building is one of the most admired ethnic architectural designs for havingemployed an indigenous system of construction that is more complex than its seeming

simplicity. Yet due to the amalgam of factors such as the effects of christianization, economicdevelopment, education, and modernization, Ifugao architecture, like many of the peoplesindigenous knowledge systems and practices, is also losing ground as contemporarygeneration of Ifugaos are increasingly being disengaged from their beliefs, customs, andtraditions. Thus, the emergence and progressive broadening of a distressing gap between olderIfugao traditional knowledge holders and todays generation.

The history of the Ifugao architecture is intertwined with that of the people, their socio-cultural

beliefs and practices, as well as their traditional knowledge systems and practices. But whileIfugao architecture is deemed an essential part of the peoples remarkably rich tangibleheritage that allows present-day generation to understand and appreciate their past, barely isthere an effort undertaken to conserve it. At present, traditional Ifugao house builders aredwindling and native huts are at the verge of extinction, a disturbing reality which practicallythreatens the survival of the peoples already vanishing heritage.

Imperative to the conservation of the traditional Ifugao house is the understanding of its

intrinsic values in conjunction with acquiring the knowledge and skill of its construction. Thisway, we come to appreciate our past, enhance our present lives, and outline the framework ofour future.

This research aims to examine the significant values of the traditional Ifugao house. It hopes tocontribute in imparting substantial knowledge and enriching our understanding of Ifugaoarchitecture, thereby, encouraging the cultivation of a strong local and national pride. As statedby Noche (2009), the history and culture of a nation can be reflected in its architectural heritage.

Introduction


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Mythic al Origin

Myth reveals to us that the first housein Ifugao originated from the Skyworld. Oneday, Skyworld god Wigan looked down to the Earthworld and saw the lush butuninhabited land of Kay-ang (now Kiangan). What a pity such fertile land isdesolate, he said to himself. Hence, he thought out a plan to populate the place.Thatnight he made a house and filled it with rice. Then, he made several cages, put in acouple of chicken, and hung it at the sides of the houses' floor beams. He tied pigstoo on the posts. Having ensured that everything is set, he carried his sleeping

children, Cabbigat and Bugan, and brought them inside the house. After whisperingfarewell to his children, he carefully brought down the house to the riverside side inKay-ang. In the morning, Cabbigat and Bugan woke up and realized they were in astrange place. House building was, thus, initiated by the gods. The knowledge andskill was passed on to the human beings and later enhanced the technology to suittheir needs and preferences.

Development

Informants relate that, initially, the Ifugaos lived on thatched huts built directly on theground. Walls were either made of bamboo of planks of wood. Later, as they settledand began cultivating rice, they constructed elevated storage houses, now known asgranary houses oralang. This building technique enabled them to safeguard thestacked rice, ritual paraphernalia, and implements from infestation of rats and otherpests as well as from other hazards. From the granary houses, they patterned theirelevated dwelling houses commonly called as bale(Scott:1966 and Sato:1991).

Origin and Development of the Ifugaohouse


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Types of Ifugao Houses

There are four types of houses in Ifugao. First is the abong which is basically ahut builtdirectly on the ground. Second is the inappal which is slightly elevated from the ground.For some, theabongand the inappal operate as temporary shelters when working in therice fields or swidden farms. Conversely, these types of huts serve as a permanent

residence especially for those who cannot afford to construct the more elaborate bale, thethird type of Ifugao house.

The baleis elevated from the ground by four sturdy posts about 10 to 12 feet high. It isprimarily used as the familys dwelling unit. Among the Ifugaos, a household iscomposed of the father, mother, and the children. Children no longer sleep with theirparents upon reaching puberty, rather, they sleep at the agamang.To make sure they areguided accordingly, they are accompanied by an unmarried or widowed man or woman

who often serves as their counselor. Grandparents, even in their old age and dependencystage, usually insist on living independently in another house. To ensure that their basicneeds are daily met, children check their condition daily and scamper multiple errands forthem.


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The fourth type is the alang or the granary house which isusually located near the rice fields. Normally, it is utilized for

storing dried harvested rice and the rice gods (bulul). At times,however, the alang is used as a grave or to keep exhumedbones of a family member or relative. Onlythe kadangyan (elite) have granaries for they have lots of rice tostore.


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the ifugao hut - edited

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