Igorot Utility Knife

[Ian]

Nonoy:

Thanks for clarifying the terminology for these knives. I notice you refer to otak as a generic term, and it seems to be very close to itak which is used in central Luzon in the same manner to refer to a "knife." Do you think that otak and itak might share a common origin?

Ian.

[Battara]

Nonoy, I agree tha this is Ifugao. Thank you for your wonderful knowledge.

Just one question: I thought "igorot" was a generic term for all the "headhunting" tribes on Luzon?

[Nonoy Tan]

Originally Posted by Battara

Just one question: I thought "igorot" was a generic term for all the "headhunting" tribes on Luzon?

That is an interesting question, Jose. Here is what I know.

1. The term Igorot was used not only to refer to peoples living in the hinterlands of the Northern Luzon, but also to those in Bicol, Mindanao, etc. Spanish writings bear evidence of this. The term used were Ygorrote, Ygolote, etc.

2. Subsequently, Igorot became the popular word used to refer to the Bontoc, Ifugao, Isneg, Tinguian, and other Northern Luzon Cordillera peoples. This has remained to the present. However this is not helpful to students and scholars. In fact, the Ifugao are not Igorot, nor are the Tinguian, etc. IMHO, a more apt generic term is "Northern Luzon Cordillera Peoples."

For us studying ethnographic weapons, the word Igorot is vague, except when specifically referring, to the Bontoc Igorot, Benguet Igorot (Ibaloi), or Lepanto Igorot (Kankanay).

[Nonoy Tan]

Originally Posted by Ian

I notice you refer to otak as a generic term, and it seems to be very close to itak which is used in central Luzon in the same manner to refer to a "knife." Do you think that otak and itak might share a common origin?

Yes, Ian these words have a common Austronesian linguistic origin.