Philippine Architecture: Early Period / Pre-Spanish Era

I. INDIGENOUS FOLK DWELLINGS - LUZON - 2-TYPES 01

1. IFUGAO HOUSES

A. ORIGIN / DESCRIPTION / HISTORY

The Ifugao houses were usually similar in architectural designs but they differ in decorative details
depending on the tribes. Their houses were harmoniously located with the contour of the rice terraces. The
one-room house of the Ifugao commonly known to them as fale. 

Alternative/Associated Names: Ifugao, Amganad, Ayangan, Kiangan, Gilipanes, Quiangan, Tuwali Ifugao,
Mayoyao (Mayoyao, Mayaoyaw)

LOCATION: Ifugao Province

DIALECT: Four distinct Ifugao dialects

• The term "Ifugao" is derived from "ipugo" - earth people or mortals or humans, as distinguished from
spirits and deities.

– Also means "pugo" - from the hill

• Southern part of the Cordillera region best known for its rice terraces.

• Aside from their rice terraces, the Ifugaos are known for their literary traditions of the ' hudhud' and the
'alim' .
• The Ifugaos’ highest prestige feasts are the "hagabi", for the most wealthy; and the "uyauy", a feast for those
immediately below the wealthiest.

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 Philippine Architecture: Early Period / Pre-Spanish Era

The Ifugao houses were usually similar in architectural designs but they differ in decorative details depending on the tribes. Their houses
were harmoniously located with the contour of the rice terraces. The one-room house of the Ifugao commonly know to them as fale. 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 that are formed by the loft.

"OLIANG" Disks

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

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A typical house design

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Ifugao's constructing a house

The Ifugao house is sturdily crafted of timber from amugawan trees raised on four posts, which was buried 50 centimeters below the
ground and locked in with stones. 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. PARTS OF THE HOUSE

C. ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTERISTICS

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ARH 315● HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE 4 – PHILIPPINE ARCHITECTURE

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 Philippine Architecture: Early Period / Pre-Spanish Era

ARH 315● HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE 4 – PHILIPPINE ARCHITECTURE

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 Philippine Architecture: Early Period / Pre-Spanish Era

ARH 315● HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE 4 – PHILIPPINE ARCHITECTURE

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 Philippine Architecture: Early Period / Pre-Spanish Era

ARH 315● HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE 4 – PHILIPPINE ARCHITECTURE

Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila – COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE AND URBAN PLANNING 2
 Philippine Architecture: Early Period / Pre-Spanish Era

ARH 315● HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE 4 – PHILIPPINE ARCHITECTURE

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1. REFERENCES (TEXTBOOKS)

1.1. REFERENCES 01
1.2. REFERENCES 02
1.3. REFERENCES 03
1.4. REFERENCES 04
1.5. REFERENCES 05

2. REFERENCES (WORLD WIDE WEB)

2.1. REFERENCES 01
2.2. REFERENCES 02
2.3. REFERENCES 03
2.4. REFERENCES 04
2.5. REFERENCES 05

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