PHThe Him-ung is an ancient Ifugao ritual associated with violent death and the protection of communities and rice terraces. Its name refers to the wooden clapper used during the ritual.
Historical descriptions say the sound was used to drive away rats and harmful spirits from rice terraces and villages.
The original ritual is no longer commonly practiced in its full form and has survived partly through a simulated version performed during festivals.
Related practices have also been documented under names including dog’al, patipat, pagpag, or bangibag.
The use of a deliberately noisy wooden instrument gives this tradition a particularly distinctive character.
It demonstrates how sound itself could become part of traditional protection for both people and agricultural landscapes.
© NCCA — TALAPAMANA
Historical descriptions say the sound was used to drive away rats and harmful spirits from rice terraces and villages.
The original ritual is no longer commonly practiced in its full form and has survived partly through a simulated version performed during festivals.
Related practices have also been documented under names including dog’al, patipat, pagpag, or bangibag.
The use of a deliberately noisy wooden instrument gives this tradition a particularly distinctive character.
It demonstrates how sound itself could become part of traditional protection for both people and agricultural landscapes.
© NCCA — TALAPAMANA