Philippines Igorot Young Lady 1934 Real Photo Postcard
The postcard depicts an Igorot woman, representing one of the indigenous ethnic groups inhabiting the Cordillera Central mountain range in northern Luzon, Philippines. "Mt. Prov. P.I." refers to the Mountain Province of the Philippine Islands, a region centrally important to these communities and a administrative division established during the American colonial period (roughly 1908-1966). Her elaborate headwear, layered necklaces, and armbands are characteristic elements of traditional Igorot attire, reflecting distinct cultural identity and societal status within her community.
These ethnographic images were widely circulated during the American colonial era (1898-1946), often serving dual purposes of anthropological documentation and presenting indigenous populations to Western audiences. They provided visual records of cultural practices and traditional dress, yet also contributed to the colonial narrative by highlighting the "exotic" or "primitive" aspects of colonized peoples, thereby shaping external perceptions of the diverse societies within the newly acquired territory.
These ethnographic images were widely circulated during the American colonial era (1898-1946), often serving dual purposes of anthropological documentation and presenting indigenous populations to Western audiences. They provided visual records of cultural practices and traditional dress, yet also contributed to the colonial narrative by highlighting the "exotic" or "primitive" aspects of colonized peoples, thereby shaping external perceptions of the diverse societies within the newly acquired territory.
