Ifugao originates from the word “I-pugaw,” which loosely translates into “inhabitants of the earth.” They inhabit the northern mountainous region of the present-day Philippine archipelago. The Ifugao were likely inhabitants of the nearby fertile plains that remain such a sharp contrast to their current mountain dwellings. Anthropologists theorize that the Ifugao people were driven by Malaysian immigrants, who had superior leadership and weapons, into the mountains where they currently reside.
As far as appearance, the Ifugao people resemble Asians, but with a darker, more coppery skin tone. The Ifugao were likely of a caucasoid strain that was modified by a passage through the southern portion of Asia where they mingled with the Chinese. Ifugao dress simply due to the temperate climate, but also decorate themselves ornately. The men wear clouts and the women wear loin cloths resembling short skirts that extend from their waist to their knees. The Ifugao men carry spears with them at all times. Both the men and women decorate themselves with various jewelry, such as pieces made of gold, brass, beads, agates, and mother of pearl, among other things.
The Ifugao people exhibit admirable ability in their architectural pursuits. Ifugao houses are small, but they are substantially built, constructed of relatively durable materials that endure through many generations. But as far as architectural achievements go, the houses are nothing compared to the massive complexes of rice patties that extend from half way up the mountain side all the way down to the bottom of the valley. Water is gathered from forests high in the mountains, sent through irrigation channels into the uppermost terraces and allowed to flow back and forth across each terrace until it finally finds the stream bed and flows to the sea. There are two crops each year. Each crop takes from three to four months from planting to harvesting.
Family structure is fairly interesting. The adults and small children live in one house and the teenage children live in a second house. When the teenagers get to the age where they become interested in the opposite sex, the male teenagers leave their house during the day to meet females in other houses, while the females stay at home to welcome other male guests. They initially just have a friendly atmosphere, telling jokes, stories, etc., but soon couples will form. When a girl becomes pregnant, they couple will soon after become married. Then they will either build their own house, or, less likely, inhabit a house left by their parents or someone who died childless. When the couple is settled in their new domicile, it is the mothers duty to care for the child while the father must go out and hunt for food for the family.
This leads to another interesting topic: Ifugao hunting practices. The Ifugao males hunt deer and wild pigs with the help of hunting dogs. The dogs are not raised for food, as in some nearby cultures; the Ifugao people respect dogs and they are treated admirably. They also kill and eat bats and birds.
References:
Impressions of Ifugao Health and Social Activities, by George M. Guthrie; Copyright 1964, Dept. of Psychology, Penn. State
Ifugao Law, by R. F. Barton; Copyright 1969, University of California Press
http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Harbor/9776/tribes2.html
By Andrew Froiland