Module 15 Arts in The Cordillera Region

MODULE 15: ARTS IN THE CORDILLERA REGION

Background

The arts in Cordillera Region must be given a place in the study of Humanities in the same way
we emphasized and gave importance in the arts of Muslim Mindanao. People in the Cordillera Region
appreciate arts as much as the Muslims in Mindanao art.

Cordilleran’s are not only peace-loving people; they are also artistic lovers of nature as evidence
by their art in wood carving. In fact, many foreign tourists and visitors in Baguio City buy woodcraft
products as souvenirs. Woodcraft products of Cordillera Region reached as far as Mindanao because of
the artistic manner in which they were produced.
The people of the Cordillera Region, comprised of the Isneg (Apayao), Tinguian (Itneg), Kalinga,
Bontoc, Ibalooi, Kankaney, have a distinct way of life that influenced their art tradition. The ingenuity
and persistence with which the Cordillera Region artists transform raw material into works of arts define
them as people.
Woodcraft
Wood is the raw primary used by material used by the people of the Cordillera region in
producing artistic shields, decorated containers, home utensils, figurines, and religious images. Bamboo
is also used, together with clay, bronze, brass. Iron is a necessary material in making spears and head
axes.
The Cordillera art can be divided into two types: the decorative and the ritualistic or magical.
Shields, container, pipes, fabric color designs, and even tourist art objects belong to the decorative type.
The bulol and bihang and other religious images belong to the ritualistic type.
Arts in the Cordillera Region, especially woodcarving can be generally characterized as highly
presentational of human and animal form. This feature makes the art people in Cordillera Region
different from the art of the Muslim South. The portrayal of the human form is profusely illustrated in
various postures and degree of abstraction, such as standing or squatting; arm straight or crossed; with
elbows resting on knees; with or without sexual characteristics; standing alone or in a sexual embrace;
having complete figures and anatomical parts; and in the round or relief figures on spoons, bowls, and
pipes. This portrayal is found mainly in Bontoc, Ifugao, and Ibaloi artworks.
The animal motifs in Cordillera art is widespread in woodcraving. Common designs are those of
retiles (lizard and snakes) and pigs. Other animals’ motif is represennnted in blanket designs and
bamboo incisions showing realistic images of birds, fish, snakes, and lizards. Representation of fishes,
crabs, and horses, and plant motifs like flowers and pineapple have found their way into bamboo
blanket designs.
Non-figurative art is also found in the shapes and designs on shields, spears, and head axes.
These objects make effective use of the elements of rhythm and symmetry.
Adoration in Gods and supernatural beings were expressed through the rituals and arts
of the Cordillera in general. The importance of rice agriculture was underscored by rice Gods and
granary guards represented in carved figures that were believed to be the seat of the rice spirits. The
rice spirits were believed to dwell in the wooden idols standing house yards. The shamans dance around
them, sprinkling and smearing them with blood from sacrificed victims, and giving them rice wine.
Finally, after the ceremonies, the shamansbring the idols to the granary to guard the rice supply. The
granary Gods called bulol, were so important in the rice planters culture that each was given its own
name. usually represented in pairs, the male bulol is called the Punholdayan and his wife Bugan in
Punholdayan. Human representations are limited to the Ifugao, Bontoc, and Ibaloi.
The high artics quality of the Cordillera woodscrafts showing both human and animal
motifs is a characteristic of the area. The need of other communities for Cordillera woodcrafts serve as
an opportunity for the artists to display their carving skills and techniques.
Music
The Cordillerans also have their musical instruments aside from woodcraft. Some of these
musical instruments are:
1. pas-ing, a two-stringed instrument of the Apayaos;
2. albon, a rice drum, the sulibao, a conical drum and the konlinga, a cylindrical drum.
3. koleleng of bali-ing, a nose flute; and
4. diw-diw-as, a construction of thin bamboo pipes of different lengths tied togerher, played by moving
the instrument across the mouth without touching the lips, while blowing into the open ends.
Among the percussion instruments used by the Cordillerans were:
1. Gansa and the bamboo buzzers called bilbil or bungkaka; and
2. Bongabong, a pair of percussion sticks, played to announce a violent death.

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MODULE 15: ARTS IN THE CORDILLERA REGION

1. pas-ing, a two-stringed instrument of the Apayaos;

3. koleleng of bali-ing, a nose flute; and

Among the percussion instruments used by the Cordillerans were:

1. Gansa and the bamboo buzzers called bilbil or bungkaka; and

2. Bongabong, a pair of percussion sticks, played to announce a violent death.

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