SUBSCRIBEThe bulol, a much misrepresented symbol
The bulol, or sometimes bul-ol, to us not from the Cordilleras has accepted the common notion that this carving symbolizes a rice god who guards the Cordilleran’s rice granary.
Represented both as a man (with phallic protrusions that would make the convservative blush) and a woman, are common staples of the Baguio, Sagada, Banaue and elsewhere up the mountainous north tourist trade as trinkets and souvenirs. It has also been used as an emblem of the annual Cinemanila International Film Festival. Its the most identifiable symbol of the northern tribes but one, if Tommy Hafalla is to be believed, widely misrepresented.
The noted photographer has been living in Sagada for the past years and has been accepted into the local culture. As he says, it is never a rice god. In fact, it is used by ritually transferring the sickness of the afflicted to the image. It is placed inside the granary so that thieves, upon seeing it would think twice getting in contact with the bulol and have the sickness transferred to them instead.
Now, will you still buy those souvenir items or collect antique images and perpetuate the misplaced idea of a rice god?
