Scribd Logo
Upload

Welcome to Scribd!

  • The Ifugao Hut - Edited

    Uploaded by

    Arvee Villamor
    762 views8 pages
    The document discusses the origins and development of the traditional Ifugao hut. It begins by explaining how, according to Ifugao mythology, the first house was brought down from the skyworld by gods and became the basis for houses built by humans. It then describes how early Ifugao houses evolved from thatched huts on the ground to elevated structures used for both housing and storing rice. Finally, it outlines the four main types of traditional Ifugao houses - the abong, inappal, bale, and alang - and provides details on their uses within the community.

    Original Description:

    IFUGAO

    Copyright

    © Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)

    Available Formats

    PPT, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd

    Did you find this document useful?

    Is this content inappropriate?

    Report this Document
    The document discusses the origins and development of the traditional Ifugao hut. It begins by explaining how, according to Ifugao mythology, the first house was brought down from the skyworld by gods and became the basis for houses built by humans. It then describes how early Ifugao houses evolved from thatched huts on the ground to elevated structures used for both housing and storing rice. Finally, it outlines the four main types of traditional Ifugao houses - the abong, inappal, bale, and alang - and provides details on their uses within the community.

    Copyright:

    Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
    Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Flag for inappropriate content
    Download as ppt, pdf, or txt
    762 views8 pages

    The Ifugao Hut - Edited

    Uploaded by

    Arvee Villamor
    The document discusses the origins and development of the traditional Ifugao hut. It begins by explaining how, according to Ifugao mythology, the first house was brought down from the skyworld by gods and became the basis for houses built by humans. It then describes how early Ifugao houses evolved from thatched huts on the ground to elevated structures used for both housing and storing rice. Finally, it outlines the four main types of traditional Ifugao houses - the abong, inappal, bale, and alang - and provides details on their uses within the community.

    Copyright:

    Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
    Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Flag for inappropriate content
    Download as ppt, pdf, or txt
    of 8

    The Ifugao Hut

    Understanding its roots and essence

    GROUP 1
    Allorina, Alexandria J.

    Introduction

    Ifugao house building is one of the most admired ethnic architectural designs for having employed 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, economic development, education, and modernization, Ifugao architecture, like many of the peoples indigenous knowledge systems and practices, is also losing ground as contemporary generation of Ifugaos are increasingly being disengaged from their beliefs, customs, and traditions. Thus, the emergence and progressive broadening of a distressing gap between older Ifugao 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 while Ifugao architecture is deemed an essential part of the peoples remarkably rich tangible heritage that allows present-day generation to understand and appreciate their past, barely is there an effort undertaken to conserve it. At present, traditional Ifugao house builders are dwindling and native huts are at the verge of extinction, a disturbing reality which practically threatens 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. This way, we come to appreciate our past, enhance our present lives, and outline the framework of our future. This research aims to examine the significant values of the traditional Ifugao house. It hopes to contribute in imparting substantial knowledge and enriching our understanding of Ifugao architecture, thereby, encouraging the cultivation of a strong local and national pride. As stated by Noche (2009), the history and culture of a nation can be reflected in its architectural heritage.

    Origin and Development of the Ifugao house


    Mythical Origin

    Myth reveals to us that the first house in Ifugao originated from the Skyworld. One day, Skyworld god Wigan looked down to the Earthworld and saw the lush but uninhabited land of Kay-ang (now Kiangan). What a pity such fertile land is desolate, he said to himself. Hence, he thought out a plan to populate the place. That night he made a house and filled it with rice. Then, he made several cages, put in a couple of chicken, and hung it at the sides of the houses' floor beams. He tied pigs too on the posts. Having ensured that everything is set, he carried his sleeping children, Cabbigat and Bugan, and brought them inside the house. After whispering farewell to his children, he carefully brought down the house to the riverside side in Kay-ang. In the morning, Cabbigat and Bugan woke up and realized they were in a strange place. House building was, thus, initiated by the gods. The knowledge and skill was passed on to the human beings and later enhanced the technology to suit their needs and preferences.

    Development

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

    Types of Ifugao Houses

    There are four types of houses in Ifugao. First is the abong which is basically a hut built directly on the ground. Second is the inappal which is slightly elevated from the ground. For some, theabong and the inappal operate as temporary shelters when working in the rice 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, the third type of Ifugao house.

    The bale is elevated from the ground by four sturdy posts about 10 to 12 feet high. It is primarily used as the familys dwelling unit. Among the Ifugaos, a household is composed of the father, mother, and the children. Children no longer sleep with their parents upon reaching puberty, rather, they sleep at the agamang. To make sure they are guided 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 dependency stage, usually insist on living independently in another house. To ensure that their basic needs are daily met, children check their condition daily and scamper multiple errands for them.

    The fourth type is the alang or the granary house which is usually 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 exhumed bones of a family member or relative. Only the kadangyan (elite) have granaries for they have lots of rice to store.

    You might also like