PRE-COLONIAL

Art in the Pre-Colonial Period

The pre-colonial period of art in the Philippines reflects the creativity, spirituality, and daily lives of the early Filipinos, deeply rooted in their indigenous culture and environment. This era, spanning before the arrival of Spanish colonizers in 1521, showcased various art forms, including sculptures, pottery, textiles, jewelry, and architecture, often intertwined with their animistic beliefs and social practices.

ARTFORMS IN PRE - COLONIAL PERIOD

Architecture

Torogan

A torogan is a large, one-room structure supported by sturdy wooden pillars made from tree trunks. It has a high ceiling and a steep roof. These posts are held up by large stones to keep out pests and natural disasters. The building was constructed with community participation, frequently involving rituals, and has carved okir designs. It serves not only as the residence of a sultan and his family but also as a place for community gatherings, discussions, and decision-making. This makes it a symbol of the owner’s social status and influence.

Ifugao House (Bale)

The Ifugao House, or bale, is a traditional elevated structure made of wood and thatch. Its compact design serves both functional and symbolic purposes, protecting against pests and harsh weather while representing the unity and resourcefulness of the Ifugao community. The bale is an enduring example of indigenous Filipino architecture.

Sculpture

BUL UL

The Bulul is one of the most common and well-known Ifugao sculptures. It is usually carved as a standing or seated figure, made from a single piece of wood, and shows a geometric and simplified human form. Standing figures may have hands at their sides or on their knees, while seated ones often have folded arms. These figures are sometimes made in male and female pairs, but some are androgynous.

Additionally, in Ifugao culture, where rice is the main crop, Bulul figures are important and are placed in rice fields or granaries to guard them. Before being used as guardians, the sculptures go through a ritual where they are coated with pig or chicken blood, giving them a dark, mottled look over time.

Jewelry

Lingling-o

Lingling-o are double-headed, penannular ornaments or amulets associated with late Neolithic to Iron Age Austronesian cultures. Originating around 500 BC, they were crafted primarily from nephrite jade sourced from Taiwan, though later examples used shell, gold, copper, or wood, reflecting social hierarchies. Popularized by H. Otley Beyer, the term "lingling-o" comes from the Southern Ifugao language.

These ornaments are linked to the Maritime Jade Road, a prehistoric trade network (2000 BCE–1000 CE) connecting Taiwan, the Philippines, and Southeast Asia, showcasing the rich artistry and animist traditions of the region.

Boaya

The Boaya necklace, which is made from runo reeds and boar tusks, is a significant component of cultural festivals and customs, such as the Begnas ritual, which commemorates group farming and rice planting. Men typically wear this necklace along with the tangkil during these events.

The craftsmanship is evident in the recessed patterns on the runo reeds and the elaborate rattan wickerwork on each boar tusk. This necklace, which stands for strength and prestige, has long been worn during ceremonies by priests and warriors.

Soures:

CCP Encyclopedia of Philippine Art | CCP Encylopedia of Philippine Art. (n.d.). CCP Encyclopedia of Philippine Art. https://epa.culturalcenter.gov.ph/3/82/2227/
Necklace (Boaya) (n.d.). Mapping Philippine Material Culture.https://philippinestudies.uk/mapping/items/show/15355
Standing rice deity (bulul), 20th century by Ifugao. (n.d.). https://www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/collection/works/219.2005/#about
Pinay Wise. (n.d.). Exploring pre-colonial art in the Philippines. Retrieved December 9, 2024, from https://pinaywise.com/philippines-facts/exploring-pre-colonial-art-in-the-philippines/
Martin, J. J. (2022, September 22). Lingling-o: Jade trade during the Neolithic. Village Pipol. Retrieved December 9, 2024, from https://villagepipol.com
Yodisphere. (n.d.). The Ifugao people of the Philippines: History, culture, customs, and tradition. Retrieved December 9, 2024, from https://www.yodisphere.com

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