Jewelry and Accessories

In Cordillera cultures, metal jewelry and accessories have long been valued as important items because of the craftsmanship, material, and relative rarity of the craft itself. They are mostly associated with prestige, as obtaining one requires wealth. Jewelry and accessories have become status markers, especially showcased during festive gatherings. Some were even used to signify leadership, while others were used mostly to display one’s capacity to purchase, trade, and obtain metalwork. Furthermore, some metal jewelry has histories dating back even before the Western colonizers set foot in the Philippines. Notably, the lingling-o took its form from pre-colonial jade accessories found across Southeast Asia. With modifications and localized versions, lingling-o of the Luzon Cordillera thrives and continues to exist as part of the culture.