Banaue Rice Terraces
Banaue Rice Terraces | |
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Location | Ifugao, Philippines |
Coordinates | 16°54′N 121°3′E / 16.900°N 121.050°E |
The Banaue Rice Terraces (
Locals up to this day still plant rice and vegetables on the terraces, although more and more younger Ifugaos do not find farming appealing,[6] often opting for the more lucrative hospitality industry generated by the terraces.[7] The result is the gradual erosion of the characteristic "steps", which require constant reconstruction and care. In 2010, a further problem encountered was drought, with the terraces drying up completely in March of that year.[8]
Anthropologist
Current threats to the terraces include the giant
Cultural significance
Ifugao rice culture
The terraces are found in the province of Ifugao and the
The Ifugao people practice traditional farming spending most of their labour at their terraces and forest lands while occasionally tending to root crop cultivation. The Ifugaos have also been known to culture edible shells, fruit trees, and other vegetables which have been exhibited among Ifugaos for generations. The difficulty of planting kalinayan and other rice varieties with the soil type in these areas leads to the building of the rice terraces entailing construction of retaining walls with stones and rammed earth which are designed to draw water from a main irrigation canal above the terrace clusters. Indigenous rice terracing technologies have been identified with the Ifugao’s rice terraces such as their knowledge of water irrigation, stonework, earthwork and terrace maintenance. As their source of life and art, the rice terraces have sustained and shaped the lives of the community members.
Organic farming
In March 2009 the Ifugao rice terraces were declared
Official heritage designation
The Banaue Rice Terraces refer to the cluster close to the Banaue
The five clusters inscribed as part of the Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras are Batad, Bangaan, Hungduan, Mayoyao Central and Nagacadan.[17] Batad and Bangaan are under the jurisdiction of the Municipality of Banaue but are not called the Banaue Rice Terraces.
The Banaue Rice Terraces were declared by the Philippine government as a National Cultural Treasure under Ifugao Rice Terraces by virtue of Presidential Decree No. 260 in 1973.[18]
Tourism
Another thriving economy in the Banaue Rice Terraces is tourism.[19] The Tourism industry has developed a number of activities for visitors which may include traditional sightseeing of the terraces and visits to the tribes at the foot of the terraces. A Mumbaki[20] (traditional Ifugao witch doctor) is also recommended[21] to visitors: these doctors can perform spiritual healing rituals.[22] Domestic tourism however has gone down[23] over the past few years. A contributing factor to this is the treatment of domestic tourists by the local guides in the area where it has been reported that local guides are more willing to entertain foreign visitors.[citation needed] The Batad Environmental Tour Guides Association (BETGA) in association with the Batad Baranguay authorities are currently laying a concrete track down from the Batad Saddle to the village proper.
The park is featured on the reverse side of the
Other notable rice terraces in Ifugao
Aside from the Banaue Rice terraces there are 4 other similar terraces:
See also
References
- ^ Filipinasoul.com.‘The Best’ of the Philippines - its natural wonders Archived November 5, 2014, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ National Statistical Coordinating Body of the Philippines. FACTS & FIGURES:Ifugao province
- ^ About Banaue > Tourist Attractions Archived December 14, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
- Philippine Star. Retrieved February 16, 2019.
The Banaue Rice Terraces, built by the Ifugaos by hand some 2,000 years ago, is among the country's national cultural treasures and is listed as a UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization) World Heritage Site.
- ^ Department of Tourism: Ifugao Province Archived March 2, 2009, at the Wayback Machine. Accessed September 4, 2008.
- ABS-CBN News. Retrieved February 16, 2019.
Add to that, the loss of interest among the younger generations to farming. They'd rather go down to the cities and try their luck for a more stable income in call centers, real estate and other salary-based careers.
- ^ "Banaue Rice Terraces Pictures, Photos & Facts - Ifugao". famouswonders.com. March 15, 2009. Retrieved March 30, 2017.
- ^ Agence France-Presse [1] Drought ravages famed Banaue rice terraces. March 9, 2010.
- ^ Cabreza, Vincent (July 15, 2013). "For Ifugao rice terraces, age should not matter". Inquirer.net. Retrieved January 29, 2018.
- ^ "Ifugao Rice Terraces may be younger than we think". Rappler. April 29, 2015. Retrieved January 29, 2018.
- ISBN 9780500294208.
- ^ "Giant worms destroying ancient rice terraces". The Telegraph. March 3, 2006. Retrieved September 21, 2018.
- ^ "The brittle Steps to the Sky – T". www.insights-philippines.de. Retrieved November 10, 2018.
- ISBN 9781417103423
- ^ "Ifugao rice terraces are GMO-free--officials". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved July 17, 2009.
- ^ "Banaue Rice Terrace". Archived from the original on April 13, 2014. Retrieved September 4, 2014.
- ^ "UNESCO World Heritage Centre". UNESCO. Retrieved January 1, 2011.
- ^ "Presidential Decree No. 260 August 1, 1973". The Lawphil Project - Arellano Law Foundation. Retrieved September 5, 2014.
- ^ "Eighth Wonder of the World". Visit Banaue. Archived from the original on June 2, 2009. Retrieved July 17, 2009.
- ^ "The Mumbaki". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on May 29, 2009. Retrieved July 17, 2009.
- ^ "Tribal rituals cleanse, unite towns". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved July 17, 2009.
- ^ "Banaue Rice Terraces, the Eighth Ancient World Wonder?". Tourism on the Edge. August 28, 2012. Retrieved March 30, 2017.
- ^ "Down on Domestic Tourism". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved July 17, 2009.
- ^ "Banaue Rice Terraces". PhilSite. Retrieved July 17, 2009.
- ^ "Ifugao Is Famous For..." Wow Philippines. Archived from the original on March 2, 2009. Retrieved July 17, 2009.
- ^ "Ifugao exports 2.5 tons of 'Tinawon' rice". PIA.gov. Retrieved July 17, 2009.
- ^ "Rice Terraces-Banaue". Luz alma. Retrieved July 17, 2009.