Baguio City Luzon Philippines Igorote House Balay Real Photo Postcard

This elevated structure, known as an *alang* or rice granary, is characteristic of indigenous groups, particularly the Ifugao people residing in the Cordillera region of the Philippines. Its distinctive design, featuring sturdy wooden posts and a steep, pyramidal thatched roof, was ingeniously crafted to protect harvested rice from pests, humidity, and the elements, safeguarding the community's primary food source. The hanging basket-like containers further emphasize its role in storing and preserving agricultural bounty.

Such visual documentation, common in the early 20th century, provides insight into the traditional lifeways and sophisticated architectural adaptations of indigenous Philippine cultures during the American colonial period. These structures represent a crucial element of Ifugao society, whose intricate rice terraces and communal granaries reflect an enduring cultural heritage rooted in sustainable agricultural practices.