Why? The Banaue Rice Terraces in the Philippines are regarded as the eighth wonder of the world.
With their incredible skills, the ancient Ifugao tribes of this area created beautiful promenades about 2500 years ago.
Amazingly, they created these terraces without the use of any contemporary technology.
Banaue Rice Terraces History
The Banaue Rice Terraces, also known as Payew, are 2000-year-old terraces that were carved into the mountains of Ifugao in the Philippines by prehistoric humans. The Tagalog name for them is Hagdan-hagdang Palayan ng Banawe.
Filipinos frequently refer to the Rice Terraces as the “Eighth Wonder of the World.”
Most people believe that the terraces were mostly constructed by hand using just basic tools.
The terraces, which span 10,360 square kilometres (nearly 4000 square miles) of slope, are situated at an altitude of around 1500 metres (5000 feet) above sea level.
An old irrigation system from the rainforests above the terraces provides them with water.
According to legend, if the steps were laid end to end, they could circle the globe.
Even now, locals continue to cultivate rice and vegetables on the terraces, although an increasing number of younger Ifugaos find farming unappealing and frequently choose the more lucrative hotel sector supported by the rice terraces.
As a result, the distinctive “steps” gradually erode and require ongoing maintenance and restoration.
The drought in 2010 added to the issue, and by March, the terraces had totally dried up.
Banaue Rice Terraces Place of origin
The Banaue rice terraces were created by the early occupants of the rough mountain, according to historians.
The settlers were unable to meet their basic needs and provide enough food for everyone due to the geography of the area.
As a result, they had to come up with strategies to suit their needs.
They manually terraced the mountainside to maximise their agricultural field, exerting every ounce of muscle.
The greatest minds of our generation are in awe of this engineering and architectural achievement.
This is contrasted with the Egyptian Great Pyramids.
The terraces were constructed with ordinary men’s inspiration and affection, but the pyramids were erected violently by slaves.
The Banaue Rice Terraces are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Contrary to common belief, there are actually four primary terraces that can be found across the Banaue Rice Terraces, not just one.
These rice terraces are the Batad, Bangaan, View Point, and Hapao ones.
They bear the names of the barangays in which they are found.
The rice terraces of Batad are the most notable of these.
The Banaue rice terraces were depicted in the movie “Mumbaki” for those who haven’t visited there.
As one can see the physical terrace from the top of the mountain to the valley floor, the “stairway to heaven” showcases the resourcefulness of the original people.
There is a village located in the middle of the Batad rice terraces where farming is undoubtedly the primary means of subsistence.
In addition to cultivating the land, the villagers display their artistic talent by weaving and carving wood, both of which are popular tourist attractions.
Batad is not a place to go if you have weak knees.
One must prepare for an additional two hours of climbing before reaching the actual vista after a rough two-hour jitney trip from Poblacion to Batad Junction.
The fifty-meter-high Tappiya water falls, however, need an additional hour of hiking if you want to see them.
The same source of water is used to irrigate the entire slope.
The surroundings leave one speechless.
The rice terraces of Bangaan are not inferior to other sites in terms of beauty and majesty.
From the Batad junction, it takes another ten minutes of rough riding before one can glimpse the actual terrace without having to trek.
The terrace’s pot-like shape and the name of the establishment are not coincidental.
Thus, it is referred to as “banga” in our dialect.
Like its neighbouring terraces, it contributes significantly to meeting the fundamental needs of the village in the area.
The View Point rice terraces are the best choice if one is not physically prepared for a strenuous trip.
This is accomplished after a pleasant 25-minute bike ride from Poblacion.
On the road that links Bontoc to Banaue, you may view the actual rice terraces.
It is the most often visited scenery because of how easily it can be reached.
Here you may buy trinkets like wood carvings, woven wall art, jewellery, and t-shirts with ethnic motifs.
The Hapao rice terraces are last but certainly not least.
Apart from the terrace, it also has a hot spring and a picturesque mountain, which draw tourists, hikers, and mountain climbers alike.
View Point is an hour and a half away.
You can see all four of these spectacular rice terraces in two days.
Most travel manuals advise seeing Hapao first, then travelling all the way to Batad and staying the night there.
The itinerary for the following day is Batad to Bangaan, a detour to Poblacion for lunch or a snack, and a return trip to View Point for souvenirs.
Rice culture in Ifugao
The Ifugao people have been in charge of maintaining the terraces, which are prevalent throughout the region of Ifugao.
The Ifugao people’s culture is centred around rice, and as a result, there are numerous extravagant feasts celebrating rice that are associated with various agricultural rites, from rice cultivation to rice eating.
Thanksgiving feasts are typically associated with the harvest season, but the final harvest rites, known as tungo or tungul (the day of rest), strictly forbid any agricultural work.
A lasting custom during the celebrations and ritual activities is to consume bayah (rice beer), rice cakes, and betel nuts.
The Ifugao people engage in traditional farming, concentrating their labour mostly on terraces and forested areas with sporadic attention paid to root crop production.
In addition to growing edible shells, fruit trees, and other crops, the Ifugaos have been known to do so for decades.
The construction of the rice terraces entails covering the walls with dirt and stones in order to draw water from a major irrigation canal located above the terrace clusters.
The Ifugao’s rice terraces have been linked to indigenous rice terracing techniques, including their understanding of water irrigation, stonework, earthwork, and terrace upkeep.
The rice terraces have supported and moulded the lives of the community’s people as their source of life and art.
Prior to the implementation of Republic Act No. 4695 on June 18, 1966, Ifugao was a municipality that belonged to the Mountain Province.
