Ifugao House - Bale Structure

Ifugao House

• The traditional house of the Ifugao people is called "Bale" or "Fale"
• The "Bale" features a dominant pyramidal roof covering the walls
• The "Bale" is elevated on posts made of large round logs buried in the ground and secured with stone boulders
• All connections of a "Bale" are hand-crafted and mortised without nails or hardware
• The exterior of a "Bale" resembles a pyramid resting on four posts
• The interior space of a "Bale" is enclosed by slanting walls and a spherical-shaped ceiling
• Rows of animal skulls are displayed inside a "Bale" as offerings to the gods during annual rituals and as a source of pride for the homeowner
• The "Bale" is conceptualized as a three-level dwelling

Floor Levels of a "Bale"

• Ground Level: Four posts support the house. Wooden discs called "Oliang" are placed on the posts to prevent rats from entering.
• Second Level: This is the living area accessed through a removable ladder. Social activities, eating, cooking, and sleeping occur here.
• Third Level: This level features a shelf called a "Patie" extending from the wall boards. This provides storage space for granaries and supports the roof.

Architectural Design

• Structural Frame: The "Bale" is made from timber of "Amugawan" trees raised on four posts buried 50 centimeters below ground and locked in with stones. The construction demonstrates complex technology, providing tensile strength to withstand typhoons, heavy rain, and earthquakes.

• Connections: No nails or bolts are used in the construction of the "Bale". The upper half of the wall is formed by the inner side of the roof, creating a dark, windowless chamber resembling a womb. The roof system rests on the house cage.

• Roof System: The "Bale" has a steeply pitched, pyramidal roof covered with thick layers of thatch or cogon. This helps to insulate the house from the heat of the sun and torrential rain.

Size and Floor Plan

• The "Bale" has a square floor plan.
• An average "Bale" is approximately 12-14 feet wide and 12-14 feet long.

Parts of a "Bale"

• Post (Tukod): The "Bale" is built on four strong posts made of large round logs measuring 8-12 inches wide by 6-10 feet long. These posts are buried underground and locked with stones as a foundation. Some posts have intact roots, acting as footings.

• Wooden Discs (Lidi/Halipan): Wooden discs are placed around the posts to prevent rats from entering the house. These discs are approximately 2 to 14 inches thick and 36-40 inches in diameter. They either have a square opening or a bore.

• Side Floor Beams (Mundilig): These are the outer two floor beams that receive tenons of the secondary posts and wall boards. They have right-angle grooves to hold the floor boards.

• Floor (Dotal): The floor is made of wooden planks about 2 inches thick and 7 feet 7 inches long. The width varies from 12-16 inches, covering the entire floor area.

• Purlin (Wanan): This is a horizontal timber supporting the roof rafters. It also carries the central cross-beam.

• Intermediate Post (Pamadingan): These support the ceiling beams and the lintel beams or purlins.

• Wall Header (Huklub): This chest-level transverse beam is where the wall boards are rabbeted.

• Wall Boards (Gaob): These measure approximately 1 ½ inches thick with varying width and height. Each board has a V-shaped bottom and top that fit into the grooves of the floor beams, joists, and wall header.

• Attic Central Beam (Pumpitulan): One or two "King Posts" are positioned on this beam.

• Apex Frame (Ambubullan): The apex frame supports the upper ends of the rafters and gives the roof its pyramidal shape. It also serves as the smoke exhaust for the house.

• King Post (Taknang): This post prevents the roof from collapsing. It stands on the attic central beam and its tip is attached to the center of the apex frame.

Adaptations to Environmental Challenges

• Structural Resilience: The elevated wooden platform and steeply pitched roof of a "Bale" protect against heavy rainfall and landslides, ensuring structural integrity and inhabitant safety during extreme weather conditions.

• Sustainable Resource Utilization: Using locally sourced materials like hardwood and thatch reflects an adaptation to the environment and promotes sustainability, as these resources are abundant and renewable. This allows the Ifugao people to maintain their architectural traditions while minimizing ecological impact.