The impressive ancient construction of the Banaue Rice Terraces found in Ifugao, Philippines does not cease to amaze visitors from all over the world. From afar, this wonderful agricultural phenomenon created by Ifugao people gives the appearance of steps carved into the mountains; but their large sizes better characterize them as terraces. Over 2,000 years old and spanning 4,000 square miles across several villages, the Banaue Rice Terraces are a true inspiration of ancient intellect and engineering. Some parts were deemed UNESCO World Heritage sites from 1995 to 2012, and the area has now become a popular tourist destination.
The Rice Culture of Ifugao
Maintaining the Banaue Rice Terraces alive and beautiful for so many centuries has certainly required much work and is something that strongly unites Ifugao people. The natives spend most of their days tending to their terraces and making sure they keep their incredible appeal.
In fact, many Ifugao celebrations are associated with rice agriculture, as it is considered the prestigious crop of the region. It is so prestigious that a man’s social status can be measured by how much rice he harvests. Besides the region’s obvious geographical relationship with rice, the amount of work, care and fertilizing technique required to maintain rice on these fields is something that has truly added value and cultural importance to rice agriculture in Ifugao communities.
Things To Do
The best place to marvel at the terraces is at Viewpoint Village, as you get an incredible panoramic view. Here you will also find quite a few souvenir shops where you can shop for awesome traditional Ifugao wood carvings and artifacts. Besides admiring its endless beauty, there are many other things you can do at the site.
Go Hike: For the adventurer types, there are so many treks to embark on. Depending on how much you want to see, you could do a day hike or take on a two-day expedition, which will require finding overnight stay and perhaps hiring a personal guide. No matter what hike you choose, the breath-taking views and unique experiences along the way will surely inspire you.
Watch A Cultural Ifugao Show: There are several places to watch a cultural Ifugao show, such as Banaue Ethnic Village, and you can purchase a private showing for about 90 to 130 USD. A cultural show consists of Ifugao dancers wearing indigenous white and red garments, using gongs to create traditional Ifugao music. The show can also include a native ritual called “baki,” where they sacrifice a chicken.
Banaue Museum: To learn about local history and native artifacts collected in the early 1900’s, check out the Banaue Museum located at Banaue Inn. Like most places in the area, you can hire a tricycle to get there, and admission is about 2 USD.
Try Local Foods: As a highly important part of Ifugao culture, you will be sure to find plenty of traditional culinary options to try. Start your morning with a native coffee, served strong, and pack some “binakles” for the day, which are sweet rice cake snacks wrapped in banana leaves. You absolutely must try the region’s “tinawon” rice and their delicious “pancit” noodles. For a heavier meal, try their traditional chicken dish “pinikpikan” or “pinuneg” sausage. Finish off the day with a sweet rice wine drink called “baya.”
A great spot to try some of these native foods is 7th Heaven’s Café, which offers a majestic view of the rice terraces.
Tappiya Falls: Arriving at this natural beauty requires a one-hour journey on foot from Batad Village. It is recommended to hire a local guide, as some of the slopes can be dangerous and tricky. It should be done in the morning so that you can hike back before it gets dark and more dangerous. Once you arrive, jump into the fresh waters and enjoy the views.
