Hello friends! It’s my second time in Banaue, Ifugao. And this time, I want to share with you some stuff that captures my attention during my visit at Banaue. It was a rainy day, so I have to get some area to prevent me getting wet. As I hopping in every single shop there, I got some pretty photograph of some wood carvings available at souvenir shops at Banaue, to share and have some memories of my Banaue experience.
First, these are some sculptures using kamagong woods. Kamagong or "Mabolo" is a fruit tree found only in the Philippines, the wood of which is extremely dense and hard, and famous for its dark color. It belongs to the ebony family (genus Diospyros), and like many other very hard woods is sometimes called "iron wood" so called because its wood is iron-like and nearly unbreakable, hence the term "ironwood". The word Mabolo is Filipino for hairy and describes the fruit's hairy exterior.
First, these are some sculptures using kamagong woods. Kamagong or "Mabolo" is a fruit tree found only in the Philippines, the wood of which is extremely dense and hard, and famous for its dark color. It belongs to the ebony family (genus Diospyros), and like many other very hard woods is sometimes called "iron wood" so called because its wood is iron-like and nearly unbreakable, hence the term "ironwood". The word Mabolo is Filipino for hairy and describes the fruit's hairy exterior.
A pattern of miniatures of native house of ancient Ifugaos. Ifugaos native houses are on stilts four or five feet high. Strange looking discs are placed toward the top of each set of stilts. The purpose of these discs is to prevent rodents and other pests from getting up into the hut. The home has no window and a single room and doorway. To get into the house you must climb a ladder, which is pulled up at night.
This stuff shows typical figures of the ancient inhabitant of the mountains of the northern part of the Philippines.
The sculpture of a Ifugao warrior.
In this sculpture, ancient inhabitants of Banaue are used to mill rice using a traditional rice miller.
A hunter carrying his captured prey. This depicts the way of life in the mountains. As of today, there are still hunters that sell fresh deer meat. I don’t know if there is any law or ordinances that prohibit this kind of market, but fresh deer meat are commonly sold in the mountain side and in restaurants in the vicinity. Unfortunately, I don’t know what its taste cause I’m not yet got the opportunity to taste some.
Got some pictures with Banaue Rice Terraces using a Nikon D40 Digital SLR.
A wonderful valley of Banaue. Vast mountains covering the land didn’t stopped ancient native Ifugao to plant rice for their daily food requirements. It only demonstrates how Pinoys were very creative and artistic in their endeavors.
A horse-inspired wooden scooter at Banaue. It was a well known kind of transportation used by a modern ifugaos. Some of this was a bare wooden scooter, which was more appealing than this exaggerated one. It was used to transport collected woods from the mountains to make sculptures.
A mother and child.
A big warm mile.
A smoking partner.
One of the souvenir shops at Banaue.
A beautiful rice farm.
After the rain, there comes a rainbow. I am very fortunate to witness a rainbow at Banaue. It was a rainy day when we arrived at Banaue, but at the end of the day, the sun still comes out to give us a brilliant afternoon.
After the rain watered the plants, a glowing Riceland appears magnificent in my eyes.
I really like to see this one over and over again. A beautiful green rice plants covers the area of mountain transformed into farmland.
A native Ifugaos. This shows a native kind of clothing that early natives used to wear in their life. Today, there are some elderly native that dressed-up like that for the visitor to appreciate and take some photo opportunity with true-to-life native clothing. Reminder friends, don’t forget to give some stuff to the dressed-up elderly what you can afford for them to continue display their native clothing.
The first Christmas scene. A collection of various characters that captures your imagination and bring everyone to the first Christmas.
A series of wooden eagle sculptures.
A Love knot. This one was so amazing. It was made from a single piece of wood that was curved and sculptured to make this astounding masterpiece.
Smile of a sun.
Various Banaue products are showcased in every souvenir shops. If given an opportunity, visitors have to give some time to take a look at some best wooden sculptures, weavings, key chains, and some gift items available.
