Evolution in the Banaue Rice Terraces

Donna of Garden Walk Garden Talk has titillated our minds for some calisthenics. I have joined starting from Illumination, then Repose, and now Evolution. Every time I decide to join, I always start with nothing, nothing in mind, then when a photo from a file come in, a lot of photos follow. I would say Donna is very successful in bringing us to this, because in my case even if the post is already linked in, I still find some photos that i still want to add. Sometimes i even want to tell Donna to repeat the word. But of course that is already boring for most. Suffice it to say that the words organized some photos in my mind to find some new meanings in them. I look at my photos with more enthusiasm, more utility.

Evolution - somehow the vision of an ape always comes to my mind's eye. Then i wish it will not be mistaken to equate evolution with growth and development. So how will i try to interpret it. Or maybe a Before and After will do! Is that evolution enough? Oh no that can't be. Evolution has always been associated with the change in species over time, with the previous species becoming extinct. Evolution is synonymous with change in a long time, mutation, advancement in change....and who will forget Darwin! Survival of the fittest helps evolution! What else, what will I post? This looks more difficult than Illumination or Repose!

This post is about the Evolution of Use!

This is the Banaue Rice Terraces in Ifugao Province, Philippines. This 2000 years old structure is a part of the country's National Cultural Treasure.  It is approximately 1500 meters (5000ft) above sea level covering about 10,360 sq km (about 4000 sq miles) of mountainside. An ancient irrigation system from the rainforests provide water to the terraces. It is said that if the steps are put end to end, it would encircle half the globe (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banaue_Rice_Terraces). The other Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras are Batad, Bangaan, Hungduan, Mayoyao Central and Nagacadan. 

Stairs are the model of the rice terraces, above is the modern cemented stairs. It is at the bottom right portion in the first photo as an access point to the already modern house near the terraces (with red roof). A stair is a very old concept, yet its uses and functions evolved with the above two photos.

The photo above is the traditional structure of the Ifugao indigenous peoples' house, called an "ulug". It is made of materials found in the mountains, normally very low with the roof reaching the bottom to probably conserve the heat. Subtropical conditions prevail in these areas.

A variant of the previous Ifugao house is shown above with the roof a bit receding to expose the house body. Thick timber are used both as posts and walls. The only opening is the door, it is a windowless house! The access bamboo stairs is removed at night and hung inside for safety.

The more modern 'ulug' has shorter posts, wooden and wider stairs, with cemented portion as toilet and bath, and a ledge was provided on the wall side serving as storage areas. Hot water is also available direct from the tap faucet.

The 'ulug' now evolved as the main feature and accommodation facilities in Resorts and vacation areas, just like in the Banaue Ethnic Village. The resort also provide ethnic dance presentations and traditional food preparation and cooking, if the guests desire.

An outhouse wash basin (bottom photo) is provided for easy access and function.

I just tried to show you the evolution of the Ifugao indigenous people's houses, in terms of structure and use. The modern Ifugao people do not build these structures anymore, but still use them for storage purposes. 

In our recent Backpack Photography  trip to the area, we were so thrilled to sleep in these houses, savoring the cold temperatures in the highlands, at that time was 6C at night and 15C at daytime. We were also very privileged to be inside the forest deep in the mountains, with very clean unpolluted air, fresh from the oxygen generators; and the only noise we hear are our laughter mingling with the birds tweets. It was really "far from the madding crowd". 

Word for Wednesday: Evolution

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