Baguio City Philippines Igorote Traditional Dress Real Photo Postcard

The postcard captures individuals from the Igorot people, indigenous groups inhabiting the Cordillera Central mountains of northern Luzon in the Philippines. This image likely dates from the early 20th century, a period when the Philippines was under American colonial rule. Such ethnographic photographs served to document various indigenous cultures, often reflecting colonial interests in cataloging and understanding the diverse populations of newly acquired territories.

During this era, images of Igorot people in traditional attire, as seen here with their distinct headwear, woven garments, and adornments, became popular subjects for postcards and anthropological study. These depictions were frequently showcased at international expositions, such as the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair, where they were presented to a Western audience, shaping contemporary perceptions of non-Western cultures.