Banaue Museum
Banaue has no shortage of culture and heritage. Their elders keep traditions going, including the spectacular rice terraces. However, there are people who are not satisfied with talking to elders. For people who want to know more about Banaue, make sure you visit the Banaue Museum.
The Banaue Museum is owned and operated by the same people that run Banaue View Inn, which can be seen right beside the museum. It houses a collection of artifacts that come from generations of Ifugaos who have lived in Banaue.
Most of the artifacts in the collection belong to Henry Otley Beyer, an American anthropologist who is known as the Father of Philippine Anthropology. The museum contains some of the oldest artifacts related to the tribes of Northern Luzon, like spears, necklaces, and old wood carvings.
MORE THAN JUST ACCESSORIES. Different necklaces used to determine your status in the community.
The museum consists of two floors. The first floor houses artifacts that are associated with the Ifugao, Kalinga, and the Bontoc tribes. As you enter the museum, you will be greeted by a glass case showing the different necklaces worn by members of these tribes. Each necklace signifies your social status in the community (rich, middle class, or poor), and were used in the barter system.
HOW IT ALL WENT DOWN. Letters, photos, and a newspaper clipping detailing the capture, trial, and execution of Gen. Tomoyuki Yamashita.
A portion of the museum is dedicated to the capture of General Tomoyuki Yamashita, the Imperial Army general who led all Japanese troops in the Philippines during World War II. Several articles are posted on the wall, spanning from the time of his capture to his execution in Los Baños, Laguna.
TOOLS OF THE TRADE. A collection of spears and shields used by Ifugaos, Kalingas, and Bontocs.
The same floor also houses weapons and other artifacts related to the Ifugao, such as spears, shields, and a skull recovered from a severed head. The Ifugao were known headhunters, and would often claim the head of the person they killed from other tribes as a prize during tribal conflicts.
WINE, ANYBODY? These baskets were used to make rice wine in the old days.
There’s also a flipbook that talks about how the rice terraces are made and maintained. It explains in detail how each of the rice terraces were made, how it is managed, and the traditions that go along with maintaining one of the Philippines’ natural wonders.
WHAT THEY USED TO WEAR. Seen hanging on the lower floor are traditional Ifugao garb worn by the women of Banaue.
The lower floor of the museum contains artifacts that belong to the family of Henry Otley Beyer. It has photos which trace the lineage of the current owner, Mrs. Lily B. Luglug, who is a direct descendant of Beyer. It includes dresses woven and worn by Ifugao women, along with other artifacts and memorabilia of the Beyer family in the Philippines.
You can find the Banaue Museum beside the Banaue View Inn, located at Poblacion, Banaue, Ifugao. Entrance to the museum is at P50, and it is open from 7:00 am to 4:00 pm every day.
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