RESEARCH DATA:

Hingat refers to a pair of earrings characterized by a keyhole silhouette with both ends terminating in a tight coil. Affluent women in Ifugao and Kalinga adorn themselves with these earrings, which serve as prestigious ornaments. Crafted from brass traded from the lowlands, the hingat holds cultural and social significance. In the Cordillera, ornamentation serves as a clear indicator of social status and prestige, as highlighted by Maramba (1998). Typically, only the wealthy members of the community possess the means to purchase or trade with other groups, enabling them to acquire materials such as metals (brass, gold, copper, etc.).