Ifugao

Abstract

The Ifugao inhabit the western mountain ranges of northern Luzon, which is an island of the Philippines. The Ifugao are agriculturalists and use extensive rice terraces with irrigation. Settlements consist of autonomous districts, each containing several hamlets; neither chiefs nor councils are present. Although the Ifugao have had contact with Christian missionaries, the remoteness of Ifugao settlements and elaborate traditional religious beliefs have prevented substantial Christian influence. The Ifugao religion consists of, "a mixture of exceedingly complex polytheism, ancestor worship, and a mythology that is used as an instrument of magic" (Barton, 1919:10). Anyone may study to become a priest; consequently, almost every adult man is one. Because the Ifugao do not have official political leadership, and religion is tied up with the function of almost all aspects of life, this entry considers the religious group to be coterminous with the society at large. This entry focuses around the time of 1910. ; Non UBC ; Unreviewed ; Other