Ilongot / Bugkalot Headhunter's Hornbill Headdress "Panglao"

Description

Ilongot/Bugkalot headhunter's hornbill headdress "Panglao," Nueva Vizcaya, North Luzon, Philippines, early 20th century.

This headdress was worn only by an Ilongot who had taken a human head. For the Ilongot, headhunting was a ritual that played a central part in the life cycle and in questions of gender — taking a head meant a young man was becoming an adult, more attractive to women and more respected by his fellow men. A young Ilongot who wished to marry needed to prove his manhood by taking a head; once successful, he was permitted by the elders to wear the hornbill earrings ("batling") and, during rituals and ceremonies, to don the panglao — the hornbill headdress.

The Ilongot, who inhabit certain valleys in the northern Cordillera of Luzon, have been studied for their devotion to headhunting; a 1968 study estimated more than 90% of men over 20 had taken at least one head. Men reported taking heads when they had a "heavy heart" or felt anger or strong pressure — the act was said to help tame wild emotions and allow knowledge and maturity to take hold. Only after taking a head was a man allowed to wear the hornbill earrings and headdress during rituals and ceremonies.

Origin: Philippines, Northern Luzon, Ilongot/Bugkalot tribe