Ifugao Group AR 334

Escanda, Estrada, Francisco History of Architecture 4

BS Arch 3D

I. Ifugao and its Tribe

From the province of Ifugao in Central Cordillera, in Northern Luzon, Ifugao or i-
pugao are found. Their tribe name means "inhabitants of the known earth"; other
variations of the name are Ifugaw, Ipugao, and Yfugao. The Amganad Ifugao
(Ifugaw) populate the central part of Ifugao Province and has two dialects: Burnay
and Banaue.
Culture and language variations subdivide this group into three parts: the Tuwali
(found primarily in the communities of Kiangan and Lagawe), the Ayangan (found
primarily in the communities of Banaue, Hingyon, and Hungduan), and the Henanga
(found in the communities of Mayoyao and Aguinaldo). Despite being labeled a fifth-
class municipality, the province of Ifugao is endowed with rich vegetation. The
Ifugaos trace their ancestry to two legendary figures: Pfukhan and Gwikhan. Known
as legendary ancestors, their names are normally invoked during rituals. The Ifugaos
have long depended on wet rice farming and have developed a profound rice farming
tradition.
Additionally, their name is synonymous with the famous man-made Banaue Rice
Terraces in northern Luzon, which had once been hailed the "eighth wonder of the
world", and attributed to their engineering knowledge and agricultural terracing.
Historically, Ifugao was one of the places in the Archipelago least influenced by the
Spaniards, even though they did venture into Ifugao territory; the Spaniards were
unable to transform their culture and values. Anthropologists have regarded the
Ifugao as possibly the oldest residents of the highlands; their origin attributed to
Indonesian migration, dating back as early as 800-500 BC.

II. Ifugao House

a. Ifugao house was built by the ifugao people of northern Luzon of the Philippines.
Usually, a house is built on a firm flat ground. For hill, the slope is leveled then
stonewalled. Settlements were suited near the rice fields. A rice field may also be
Ifugao Group AR 334
Escanda, Estrada, Francisco History of Architecture 4
BS Arch 3D

drained and allowed to stand for at least five months before the dite is prepared for
house building.

 The four wooden posts that rest upon the pavement and support two wooden
girders, which also supports three wooden transverse joists.
The floor joists, floor silts, vertical studs and horizontal beams rests on the post
and girders at about head level from a cage.
The floor boards were fitted between the joists.
 The wooden sides of the house slant outward and rise up to the waist, this forms
the lower half of the wall.
 The upper half of the wall is formed by the inner side of the roof. This creates a
dark, windowless chamber which suggests a womb.
 The roof system rests on the “house cage”. The steeply pitched pyramidal roof is
covered with thick layers of thatch or cogon, this insulate the house from the heat
of the sun and from the torrential rail.

b. The Ifugao House have three functional levels: the ground floor, the second
level for the living quarters and the third level which was used as the granary.

 The ground level the posts have wooden discs which was called oliang to prevent
rats from entering the house.
 The second level or the living area was accessible through a removable ladder.
The social affairs, eating, cooking and sleeping are all done in this area.
 At the third level there was the patie, it is a shelf that extends from the wallboards
outwards to the underside of the roof. It serves as the storage area and as a
structural support to the roof. Inside the house was embellished rows of skulls of
animals offered to gods during their annual rituals and also as a source of pride to
the homeowner.

c. Ifugao house parts and design:

Ifugao Group AR 334
Escanda, Estrada, Francisco History of Architecture 4
BS Arch 3D

 The lowest level: datag or xassaran, located at the center of the room
 Immediate level: ramuyon, occupy three sides of the floor proper (the lowest
level)
 The highest level: tarakip, location on the remaining side of the house is an
extension

d. Structural Design

 a windowless pyramidal structure resting on four posts

 has complex technology that renders it a tensile strength capable of withstanding
devastating natural calamities
 constructed out of carefully selected indigenous timbers that are sturdily mortised,
pegged, and latched to hold the house together

III. Ifugao House Dwellings and Key Terms

a. Four types of houses/dwellings in Ifugao.

1. The abong – basically a hut built directly on the ground.

Ifugao Group AR 334
Escanda, Estrada, Francisco History of Architecture 4
BS Arch 3D

2. The inappal – slightly elevated from the ground.

*For some, the abong 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.
Ifugao Group AR 334
Escanda, Estrada, Francisco History of Architecture 4
BS Arch 3D

3. The bale - is elevated from the ground by four sturdy posts about 10 to 12 feet
high. It is primarily used as the family’s 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,
Ifugao Group AR 334
Escanda, Estrada, Francisco History of Architecture 4
BS Arch 3D

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 andscamper
multiple errands for them.

4. The alang or the granary house - 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 orto keep exhumed bones of a family
member or relative. Only the kadangyan (elite) have granaries for they have lots
of rice to store.

 The Ifugao house has a square floor plan. Although the size of the house is
determined by the socio-economic status of the people, an average Ifugao house is
approximately 12-14 feet wide and 12-14 feet long.
Ifugao Group AR 334
Escanda, Estrada, Francisco History of Architecture 4
BS Arch 3D

IV. Ifugao House Materials

a. Building materials
 The traditional Ifugao house is sturdily crafted of timber, derived from
amugawan trees.
 The houses themselves are raised on four posts, which are buried 50
centimeters below
 Ground and locked in with stones. Posts or “tukod” are made of large round
logs which are approximately 8-12 inches wide by 6-10 feet in length. The
roof system rests on the “house cage”. The steeply pitched pyramidal roof is
covered with thick layers of thatch or cogon, this insulate the house from the
heat of the sun and from the torrential rail.
 Wooden Discs or “Lidi” Around the four posts are made of wooden discs to
prevent rats from entering the house. The pieces are made like one big LEGO
structure where the pieces fit, without nails, in architecture this is known as
wood-joinery.
Ifugao Group AR 334
Escanda, Estrada, Francisco History of Architecture 4
BS Arch 3D

b. Decorative and structural elements

The Ifugao houses were usually similar in architectural designs but they
differ in decorative details depending on the tribes. Ifugao houses are modest in
appearance and design details offer practical functions as they are not just for
appearances sake. Ifugao houses have a steep pyramidal or hip roof; Which is
made of thatch or cogon which protects them from the external elements. Inside,
the houses were embellished with rows of skulls of animals offered to gods
during their annual rituals and also as a source of pride to the homeowner.
The exterior of the house seems to be nothing but a pyramid resting on four
posts, while the interior space is enclosed by slanting walls and ceiling that
appears to be spherical in shape, this effect is caused by the shape of the loft.

c. Other information. etc.

 To get inside the house it is necessary to climb a ladder which is pulled up at

night, namely to keep rats out.
 The homes of rich people are adorned with skulls of sacrificed carabaos. The
more carabao a family can afford to sacrifice and in turn display the wealthier
they are upper class homes are decorated with paintings and geometric
engravings. In the old days, there were shelves with skulls of enemies killed in
tribal battles.