Igorot basket Basket Humanities Info Card | Updated 10 years ago Basket F3005WA Museum Registration Number: F3005 Location: Manila, The Philippines Stitch Type: Twill plaiting Collection Date: 1966 Description: A double handled, lidded, oblong Basket. Features a black and natural fine rattan coloration in a diamond pattern. An exceptionally well made basket that resembles a ladies purse. Curator Story The Igorot people in which this basket collected from compose of a collection of ethnic highlanders native to the Philippines Cordillera region on the larger Luzon island (the countries upper north east). The term "Igorot" can be roughly translated into "Mountain People", however this is more of a collective name for different tribes living in the region, rather than a term that describes one cohesive cultural group. Many were experts in rice farming, a staple ingredient in traditional cuisine. The Igorot people are well documented ethnographically, perhaps due to their historical notoriety as head-hunters, a tradition that is no longer practiced. Having strongly resisted Spanish colonisation during the 15th and 16th centuries, Igorot culture remained largely separate from Spanish influence in the lowlands. Today, many "Igorot" have retained a traditional lifestyle, choosing now to celebrate their culture, sharing it with others through tourism.