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Power of Rice Healing
READING VISUAL ARTS - GEE13D
Bulul: The Ifugao's Rice God or Guardian Spirit
Bulul: The Ifugao's Rice God or Guardian Spirit
What is a “Bul-Ul”?
What is a “Bul-Ul”?
The Ifugao people of Northern Luzon used the bulul, a carved wooden statue, to watch over their rice harvest. They feature incredibly implausible human features and are carved from a single piece of wood. The Ifugao people derive their power from the presence of ancestral spirits within them, and these bulul are believed to represent their ancestors. Male and female statues are typically found next to each other, and the figures in the statues are either standing or sitting down. They each have symbols associated with sex: the male has the pestle, and the female has the mortar. The bulul are the most well-known and prevalent variety of Ifugao figurative sculptures among the other varieties.
Bul-Ul Images
Image Carousel of Bul-Ul
The Structure of Bulul
The Structure of Bulul
Different Structures of Bulul
Bul-ul is typically carved by Ifugao artists in pairs, though this isn't always the case. Sometimes, just one bul-ul needs to be carved at the owner of the rice field's request. Either a male or female bul-ul is typically highly respected, according to some mumbaki, as Ifugao people firmly believe that male bul-uls are capable of guarding the rice granary by themselves.
Similar to the hagabi complex, the wealthy rice field owner, known as the kadangyan, would ask the native priest, known as the mumbaki, to conduct a preliminary baki before the bul-ul is carved in order to ensure the creation of a strong or effective bul-ul. The exact size of the bulb-ul cannot be determined by a measurement standard or rule. The size issue is unimportant as long as one man or person can carry it into and out of the house's granary. Similar to the hagabi, the bul-ul is typically carved from extremely durable narra or ipil wood that has been hand-picked by the forest's elders.
Bul-ul is not a common sculpture among the Ifugao people. It is an important component of Ifugao rice farming, particularly when it comes to protecting the palay harvest within the granary or Ifugao house. The belief that the spirits of their deceased ancestors reside on the figure bul-ul has led to its high regard and admiration. Furthermore, spirits may react with an unwelcome, hostile mood if the figure is not handled with the appropriate humility. Disease and pestilence could be interpreted as indications of the gods' dissatisfaction.
A wealthy Kadangyan may have more than one bul-ul, depending on the number of granaries they own. In this sense, a person who owns two or three granaries is required to have a minimum of three bul-uls, one for each granary. A large granary may have one or two bul-uls, according to some mumbaki, while small granaries may have one or both bul-uls. Bul-ul's figurative depiction of a human being is more simplified and generalized, featuring a head, arms, torso, and legs. Usually, the Bul-ul is installed on a wooden platform that still provides some stability for the figure.
Additionally, in some Ifugao ritual settings, proper placement of the bul-uls is observed whenever they are removed from the granaries and placed in front of agricultural produce. Some mumbaki claim that when it comes to these kinds of agricultural crops, the male bul-ul should be on the right side and the female on the left. Additionally, the bul-uls' body may occasionally be adorned. A female bul-ul might be wearing a tapis, which is a piece of cloth wrapped around the waist, whereas a male bul-ul might be wearing a g-string. Bul-uls may wear metal anklets and decorative earrings. However, the bul-ul typically maintains an austere appearance, boldly displaying the phallus and vagina. Sometimes the male wealthy kadangyan holds the phallus in a very recognizable size to demonstrate his prowess.
(Rico Acda has written numerous articles on the subject of Bul-ul and other antiquities. He is completing his masteral studies in the University of the Philippines.)
Bul-Ul Uses & Origin
Bul-Ul Uses & Origin
Image from www.thepoortraveler.net
Originally from Northern Luzon, the mountain people known as Ifugao were called "Igorots." Because the Ifugao people have always firmly believed in their rights, the colonists found it extremely difficult to subjugate them during the Spanish conquest. The Ifugao people continued to fight the colonizers even after their communities were colonized and divided into new provinces under Spanish administration in the Philippines.
This continued for several centuries. Naturally, the Spanish occupation of the province came to an end when the Philippine Revolution began. The Ifugaos were among the most advanced and affluent highland plutocracies in the entire Philippine archipelago before this colonization. A council of elders governed and guided the state in peace for more than two millennia during its existence. Asia at the time had the best agricultural technology thanks to the plutocracy they ruled.
Massive rice terraces were constructed, and they have remained as enduring reminders of this province. The Ifugao people's cultures are centered around rice because it is regarded as a prestige crop by them. The Ifugao celebrate a number of feasts that are associated with rice and the various facets of rice farming. In the Central Cordillera, rice is not only associated with various ceremonies, but it is also associated with spiritual and communal well-being. In their daily lives, they are surrounded by art.
In this instance, the villages were frequently constructed around a central stone platform. Social and religious ceremonies, including the consecration of the sculptures they created and the worship of gods and ancestors, took place on this platform. Ancestral and religious figures were carved by communities throughout the Central Cordillera mountain range. However, men now practice carving the most. The bulul, which were greatly revered and admired, were typically inherited by the firstborn child of the family.
Chae Does: History - Bul-Ul
Chae Does: History - Bul-Ul
Chae Does Vlog about Ifugao's Bul-Ul
Agatha, Clarence, Chayry and the company inside the National Museum of Anthropology - Bul-Ul Section
Analysis of Visual Artifact: Bul-Ul
Analysis of Visual Artifact: Bul-Ul
Observation and Description:
In the lively cultural scene of the Ifugao people in the Philippines, the Bulul stands out as a special carved figure, carefully crafted from strong wood like narra or molave. These figures come in different sizes, from small to big, showing a human shape, often sitting or squatting. The Ifugao people are skilled at making these figures, as you can see with simple features like eyes, nose, and mouth, along with noticeable ears and hands resting on the belly.
Understanding:
The Bulul is seen as a special spirit or god related to rice and farming, playing a big role in the beliefs and customs of the Ifugao community. Beyond just being a representation, it becomes an important part of ceremonies aimed at ensuring a good harvest. During these rituals, offerings like rice and betel nuts are placed near the Bulul, showing the belief in its power to bring about a fruitful harvest. This connection to the Bulul is deeply rooted in the Ifugao people's belief that spirits live in various natural things, and the rice god is vital for the well-being of the community.
Analysis:
To understand the Bulul's meaning, its specific pose of sitting or squatting carries a message of fertility and abundance, linking it closely to agriculture and the promise of a good harvest. Beyond its physical form, the Bulul also acts as a bridge between the physical world and the spiritual realm. It serves as a way for the Ifugao people to connect with higher powers overseeing their farming activities, showing the importance of the Bulul in a rich tapestry of beliefs and traditions.
Synthesis and Contextualization:
Woven into the everyday life of the Ifugao people, the Bulul goes beyond just its role in agriculture to symbolize economic well-being, cultural heritage, and spiritual identity. Its significance as a guardian spirit is not limited to harvest rituals but also influences the daily lives and cultural identity of the Ifugao people. As a visible expression of their spirituality, the Bulul is a testament to the persistence of Ifugao traditions over time. Additionally, its ability to adapt and possibly change over time reflects the dynamic nature of cultural practices, incorporating new materials, carving methods, or symbols, all contributing to the ongoing story of the Ifugao people's ties to their cultural origins and practices passed down through generations.
References
References
Students, R. B. A. U. A. (2020, April 27). The Bulul Statue: Power of Rice Healing. Pressbooks. https://uw.pressbooks.pub/criticalfilipinxamericanhistories/chapter/chelsea-daugard/?fbclid=IwAR0756jlgiZb8kZwYx9d9ltjHOfPu_TpVRwmyDRw74w7A1ZEms-Jwpw-Lhs
D. (2023, October 13). Bulul: The Ifugao's Rice God or Guardian Spirit. Igorotage. https://www.igorotage.com/blog/p/wpmzZ/bulul-ifugao-rice-god
Antiquity: Bul-ul: A Mythical Piece of Ifugao Sculpture : Philippine Art, Culture and Antiquities. (2024, January 19). https://artesdelasfilipinas.com/archives/33/antiquity-bul-ul-a-mythical-piece-of-ifugao-sculpture
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