Ifugao Bulul
The Ifugao people of the mountainous interior of northern Luzon (Philippines) are known for their carving skill, and for the elaborate rice terraces central to their cultural identity. Traditionally, each Ifugao family owned at least one bulul, a guardian figure used to protect their rice granary (alang). Bulul are stylized representations of the ancestors, and are often gendered, with males holding a pestle, and females a mortar (this one seems rather non-binary though!). In addition to protecting the rice stores, the ancestral spirit of the bulul was thought to promote familial wealth and good fortune, generally.
The Ifugao people of the mountainous interior of northern Luzon (Philippines) are known for their carving skill, and for the elaborate rice terraces central to their cultural identity. Traditionally, each Ifugao family owned at least one bulul, a guardian figure used to protect their rice granary (alang). Bulul are stylized representations of the ancestors, and are often gendered, with males holding a pestle, and females a mortar (this one seems rather non-binary though!). In addition to protecting the rice stores, the ancestral spirit of the bulul was thought to promote familial wealth and good fortune, generally.
The Ifugao people of the mountainous interior of northern Luzon (Philippines) are known for their carving skill, and for the elaborate rice terraces central to their cultural identity. Traditionally, each Ifugao family owned at least one bulul, a guardian figure used to protect their rice granary (alang). Bulul are stylized representations of the ancestors, and are often gendered, with males holding a pestle, and females a mortar (this one seems rather non-binary though!). In addition to protecting the rice stores, the ancestral spirit of the bulul was thought to promote familial wealth and good fortune, generally.