Bulul ( Wooden Figure)

A wooden figure seated on a pedestal, its calves parallel to each other and perpendicular to the ground. The left arm rests with the elbow on the left knee, with the hand on the right knee. The right arm rests reversed on the left (forearm), i.e., its elbow on the hand of the other, the hand on the elbow of the other arm.

Hair is attached to a hole in the head with a plug (zoomorphic).

Function: Bululs serve as guardian figures in rice granaries or for the miraculous multiplication of the rice harvest. They represent a very important class of deities, which is also reflected in their ritual/ceremonial "care."

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Map Museum der Kulturen Basel

Rights

Identifier

IIc 19874

Origin

Ifugao, Luzon, Cordillera Administrative Region, North Luzon, Philippines

Materials

Wood, carved, painted / Hair

Physical Dimensions

height 35 cm, width 10 cm, depth 12 cm

Provenance

Ursula Stacher

Acquisition Date

purchase 1982

Display status

Not on Display

References

Casal, G. et al., 1981: "The People and Art of the Philippines", Museum of Cultural History, Los Angeles: pp. 195 ff, Image credits: Fig. 180

Acknowledgements

Contributed by Museum der Kulturen Basel and studiyo-filipino.ch

Official Website

Museum der Kulturen | en (mkb.ch)

Collection

Museum der Kulturen Basel

Cite this Page

“Bulul ( Wooden Figure),” Mapping Philippine Material Culture, accessed August 14, 2025, https://philippinestudies.uk/mapping/items/show/31865.

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