Threads of Heritage: The Cultural and Socio-Symbolic Significance of Ifugao Traditional Regalia | [Pakistan Journal of Life and Social Sciences • 2025]

Author(s):

1. Martina B. Labhat: College of Advanced Education, Ifugao State University,Lamut, Ifugao,Philippines

Abstract:

This study examines the cultural significance and socio-cultural dynamics of traditional bodily regalia within the Ifugao Indigenous Knowledge System. Grounded in the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA, 1997) and the global framework of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and SDG 4 (Quality Education), the research aims to document and analyze the evolution, material composition, and cultural functions of these regalia, emphasizing their roles in social stratification, spiritual practices, and heritage preservation. Employing qualitative methodologies such as ethnographic interviews, focus group discussions, and visual anthropology, the research highlights the enduring importance of Ifugao regalia in community identity and rituals. Findings reveal that the regalia serve as markers of social hierarchy, spiritual belief, and communal identity, yet they face challenges from modernization, commercialization, and declining intergenerational transmission. The study underscores the need for policy development, educational integration, and legal protection to sustain the authenticity and cultural relevance of Ifugao traditional attire. These findings contribute to broader discussions on indigenous heritage conservation and cultural resilience.

Page(s): 4555-4562

DOI: 10.57239/PJLSS-2025-23.1.00360

Published: Journal: Pakistan Journal of Life and Social Sciences, Volume: 23, Issue: 1, Year: 2025

Keywords:

Indigenous Knowledge System Ifugao bodily regalia Cultural preservation Indigenous heritage , Social stratification Intellectual Property Rights

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