Ifugao

Click a letter for the index

Or search the encyclopaedia:

 

 

Go

 

An indigenous people of northern Luzon in the Philippines, numbering approximately 70,000. In addition to practising shifting cultivation on highland slopes, they build elaborate terraced rice fields. Their language belongs to the Austronesian family.

The Ifugao live in scattered hamlets and traditionally recognize a class of nobles, kadangya, who are obliged to provide expensive feasts on particular social occasions. Although indigenous beliefs remain, many Ifugao have adopted Christianity. Some Ifugao work as wage labourers outside their highland region.

The cross represents the Greek Orthodox faith. Blue stands for the sea and sky. The shade has varied over the years. White symbolizes purity. Effective date: 22 December 1978. >>