The Ilongot tribe is a group of indigenous people from the Sierra Madre mountain range in the Philippines, and were discovered more than three centuries ago by the Spanish. Since then, many researches and expeditions were conducted to know more about them, so here we have a few interesting facts about their traditions and lifestyle.
The Ilongot practice kaingin or slash-and-burn in farming.
Though considered an unethical use of the environment's resources, the Ilongot tribe practiced kaingin when a plot of land becomes infertile. After doing so, they move to a new area, burn down the plants and trees, and then start to cultivate it.
They hunt for the whole tribe
The Ilongot tribe is primarily a hunting tribe. They use dogs to assist in their hunts, and whatever animal they are able to capture and kill, they bring home and share with the entire tribe.
They were a paganistic tribe
courtesy of: Pinterest
Though mostly Christian at present, they were once pagans. It was only in the 1950's that they were introduced and converted into Christianity by a group of protestant missionaries.
They have a strange burial tradition and belief on illness
courtesy of: Wikipedia
The Ilongot tribe was paganistic, and so they believed that illnesses are caused by the gods licking (yes, licking), or urinating on the sick person. If a tribe member dies, they are buried in a sitting position.
It is a different case for women, because if one dies in childbirth or of violent means, her hands are bound to her feet to prevent her spirit from haunting the village.
