Baguio Philippines Native Igorot Women Men 1921 Real Photo Postcard
The Igorot are a collective of indigenous ethnic groups inhabiting the Cordillera Central mountain range on the island of Luzon in the northern Philippines. The "Mt. Prov., P.I." designation refers to Mountain Province, a significant administrative division established during the American colonial period (1898-1946). These communities maintained distinct cultural practices, languages, and belief systems, often characterized by communal land ownership, elaborate irrigation systems for rice terraces, and unique spiritual traditions.
Vintage postcards depicting Igorot people, like this example, typically emerged in the early 20th century as part of broader ethnographic interest during the American administration of the Philippines. Such images served to document indigenous cultures, often for Western audiences or for display at international expositions. The subjects are shown in traditional attire and adornments, providing a glimpse into their material culture and societal norms prior to extensive modernization or Western cultural assimilation.
Vintage postcards depicting Igorot people, like this example, typically emerged in the early 20th century as part of broader ethnographic interest during the American administration of the Philippines. Such images served to document indigenous cultures, often for Western audiences or for display at international expositions. The subjects are shown in traditional attire and adornments, providing a glimpse into their material culture and societal norms prior to extensive modernization or Western cultural assimilation.
