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Pakko (b)

LOCAL NAME:

Pakko (b)

ENGLISH NAME:

Wooden spoons

DESCRIPTION:

Pakko/Pa-o (Ifugao), Idu (Applay), Ichu (Bontoc). An assemblage of plain wooden spoons.

COMMONLY USED BY/IN:

Mountain Province, Bontoc, Ifugao

MATERIAL COMPOSITION:

Wood

ITEM CONSTRUCTION:

Woodcarving

DIMENSIONS:

See image descriptions

ACQUISITION YEAR:

2021

DISPLAY STATUS:

BURC

RESEARCH DATA:

The wooden spoons of the Cordillera region exhibit unique characteristics. Known by various names across different groups and languages, such as pakko/pa-o in Ifugao, idu in Applay, ichu in Bontoc, and many others, these spoons are versatile and serve everyday purposes. While some feature elaborate figurative designs, it's equally common to find plain wooden spoons used in daily activities.

Men in the region often carry their personal spoons during travels, conveniently tucking them into their lower garments or storing them in hip bags or pouches (Mittersakschmoller, 2009).

Signs of accumulated patina and wear, such as scratches and dark pigmentations, can provide clues about the age of a particular spoon (Ellis, 1981; Mittersakschmoller, 2009).

REFERENCES:

Ellis, G. R. (1981). Arts and peoples of the Northern Philippines. In The People and Art of the Philippines (pp. 183-263). Museum of Cultural History, University of California.
Mittersakschmoller, R. (2009). Alexander Schadenberg: Photographing cultures on Luzon. In B.Bohle, U. Brandl-Straka, S. Kuhnt-Saptodewo, & O. Moiseanu (Eds.), Museum of Ethnology Vienna: The Philippines: Early collections (pp. 17-88). Museum fur Volkerkunde.

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