The useful plants of the Bugkalots of Dupax del Sur, Nueva Vizcaya

• Main Authors: Garcia, Marie Anna, Guyala, Gia Anna, Lampa, Jennifer
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 1999
• Subjects: Ilongot (Philippine people) > Philippines > Nueva Vizcaya; Plants > Philippines > Nueva Vizcaya; Biology
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_bachelors/10787
• Institution: De La Salle University

This study attempted to present the useful plants of the Bugkalots of Dupax del Sur, Nueva Vizcaya. These people used to be the known headhunters before they have accepted Christian ideologies in the early 70's. Basic ethnographic procedures were carried out in order to gather relevant data. These included observation, participation, and interviews, both structured and semi-structured, as well as dissemination of written questionnaires. Photographs and coverages of the Bugkalots, their immediate surroundings and plants utilized were also taken to help in the documentation. A total of 67 families, 144 genera, 230 species, of which 41 are undetermined represent the most useful plants of the Bugkalots. These plants were categorized according to their importance as source of food, beverages, medicine, household articles, personal hygiene articles and ornaments, toys, and musical importance. There are also plants related to their beliefs and practices of which the most important is tabgang (Erythrina orientalis Elmer), the plant whose blooming in the months of January and February signifies the start of the headhunting season. From the information gathered, it can be concluded that the aborigines of Nueva Vizcaya have a rich flora that could support their basic needs. This dependence on their natural environment remains true despite their close association with the lowlanders.