RESEARCH DATA:

These wooden bowls, known as duyu in Ifugao culture, served various ceremonial purposes, including as a spice container, for food, and rice wine (Ellis, 2009). During rituals, these bowls were placed alongside the bu'lul statues as symbolic offerings of food, which were placed inside the ritual containers. Offerings could include tapey (rice wine) and animal blood dripped onto these wood carvings. Duyu bowls could vary in size depending on the wood used for carving. The type of duyu in this collection originates from Ifugao.

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.