Hunter’s Basket (Inabnūtan)

Basketry containers historically played an indispensable role not only in agriculture, but also hunting and gathering. Hunters embarked on their expeditions with plaited backpacks. One version of the Ifugao backpack, called inabnūtan, is covered with a thick overlay of palm fibers that repel rain. On the outbound journey, the pack held the hunter’s provisions, including, perhaps, a jar of rice beer with which to make an offering to insure a successful hunt. If luck and skill prevailed, the men returned to the village with their packs filled with meat.