The Philippines: Past and Present (Volume 2 of 2)Worcester, Dean C. (Dean Conant)
History
The Philippines: Past and Present (Volume 2 of 2)
Worcester, Dean C. (Dean Conant)
Philippines; Philippines -- History -- 1898-1946
Starting at Baguio, one may take one of the most wonderful horseback
journeys in the world over the "Mountain Trail" to Cervantes in the
neighbouring sub-province of Lepanto and thence to Bontoc, the capital
of the Mountain Province. Here dwell the Bontoc Igorots, who were
famous head-hunters until brought under American control. Four or five
days more will suffice to make a trip north to Lubuagan, the capital
of the sub-province of Kalinga, inhabited by another most picturesque
tribe of head-hunters. They are physically a wonderfully developed
people, and their personal cleanliness, brightly coloured clothes,
and striking feather ornaments make them especially attractive.
On the way one is sure to see women clad in skirts extemporized from
banana leaves, camote tops, or ferns, of a type popularly but wrongly
supposed not to have been in style since the days of mother Eve.
From Bontoc one rides to the eastward over the Mount Polis range and
descends along the wonderful terraced mountain sides of the Ifugaos,
finding everywhere abundant evidences of the extraordinary industry
displayed by the people of this head-hunting tribe. At Quiangan the
traveller will be amazed to see beautiful buildings of cut stone,
and when informed that they have been erected by Ifugao schoolboys
under an American foreman will doubt the possibility of such a thing
unless he is fortunate enough to see the boys at work.
From this point one may return to Baguio by way of Sapao, and the
Agno River valley, or may continue his journey to the eastward, coming
out on the fertile plains of Nueva Vizcaya. Before the return to the
lowlands of Pangasinán from this province one may make a short side
trip of half a day into the country of the Ilongots, but I do not
recommend such an expedition to persons not familiar with the ways
of savages who are sometimes inclined to be a bit treacherous. The
Ilongots have harmed only one white man, but they still occasionally
murder each other, and it is hard always to know what they will
do next.
There are comfortable rest houses at frequent intervals along the
excellent horse trails over which one rides in making this trip, so
that all one really requires is a good horse and saddle and necessary
clothing. Baggage is transported by Igorot carriers or pack ponies. It
is always well to take one's own blankets. Good thick ones will be
needed, for the Mountain Trail reaches an elevation of seventy-five
hundred feet, and at this height the nights are cold.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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