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Origin
Origin
The Ifugaos trace their lineage to two legendary figures: Pfukhan and Gwikhan. They are known as legendary ancestors, and rituals frequently invoke their names. The Ifugaos have a rich legacy of wet rice growing and have relied on it for a very long time.
The Ifugao life was left undisturbed over the two centuries when the region was under Spanish domination, not until 1741, when the Spaniards convinced them to settle in Spanish towns, but many of the Ifugaos refused to yield.
In 1832, Colonel Guillermo Galvey pillaged Kiangan, using Ilocano and Pangasinan troops to retaliate against Ifugao attacks on Nueva Vizcaya and Cagayan towns.
Upmost, military expeditions were carried out by governer Mariano Oscariz in 1847, traversing through municipalities Mayoyao, Alimit, and Kiangan, burning the crops and destroying the terrace walls.
With military's presence in the region, Ifugao interactions with the friars were determined. The Ifugao welcomed the protection of the friars, who sought to convert them, as long as there was a military presence. For instance, the Ifugao in Mayoyao requested a priest and constructed a church in their village in 1849. However, five years later, when the Spanish forces were moved to another location and the people had become tired of the friars at that point, they set fire to the church.
As the 19th century comes to an end, the efforts made by the Spanish to effectively control the native population in the region were unsuccessful as they could not end the Ifugao practice of headhunting whereas the Ifugao continued to attack Spanish garrisons and troops, rebelling against colonial taxes and military abuse.
During late 1899, when the declaration of war broke out between the First Philippine Republic and the United States, General Emilio Aguinaldo entered the Cordillera region with the Americans in pursuit, as he sought independence for the country the Ifugaos welcomed Aguinaldo and his men with sweet potato, which was abundant in the region. When the American arrived, they have their own supplies and provided the Ifugao with commodities in exchange for fair payment.
In 1901 when Aguinaldo captured Palanan, Isabela, the Americans continued to explore the Cordilleras mountains. Despite their continuous battles with the Ifugao, the American troops spent much effort in learning the people’s culture, and they did not meddle with Ifugao beliefs—an important factor for the Ifugao. As a result, the Ifugao people had a fairly positive perception of the Americans. The Americans made friends with the people and appointed them to positions of leadership in the community.
Their presence in the province gave a gradual adaptation to new realities. Through eliminating of the centuries-old practice of headhunting because of American superiority in battles and bestowing respect to the Ifugao in these conflicts that made these changes more acceptable. They gifted the community leaders' silver-topped canes, trained the Ifugao soldiers in military arts, replacing lowland troops.
Moreover, throughout the course of the American occupation, has led for an approval of important bills such as the creation of the Bureau of Non-Christian Tribes, the Jones Law of 1916, and the election of local officials. Along with the Philippine Commision with Dean Worcester in charged, establishing the Mountain Province that composes the seven sub-provinces, Benguet, Amburayan, Bontoc, Ifugao, Lepanto, Apayao, and Kalinga.
In 1966, Ifugao became an independent province through Republic Act No. 4695, known as the Division Law of Mountain Province. Fastforward to 1973, President Ferdinand Marcos issued a decree declaring the Ifugao rice terraces a national landmark.
Group 1 - USCP from 12 - St. Peter
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