Object Name: Minahu

Provenance: Poitan, Banaue, Ifugao
Wood
H 12.5 cm (l); H 12.7 cm
MK Collection

A minahu, also called hipag or hapag, is a representation of Ifugao war deities who are invoked during ceremonies related to violent and aggressive actions (Ellis, 1981, 194). Aside from its anthropomorphic version the hipag may also come in the form of cocks, wild boars, or ducks. They are stored, along with other ritual paraphernalia, in pun’amhan ritual box or basket.