Philippine exhibit at the Museo de la Antropologia, Madrid

via The Manila Times, 09 June 2023: The Museo del la Antropologia in Madrid is hosting a comprehensive exhibition of Philippine artifacts, including traditional objects, art, textiles, and historical photographs, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the Philippines.

FILIPINOS visiting or living in Madrid should go to the Museo del la Antropologia and view the first floor of their Asian exhibits. This time, the artifacts are all Philippine. From musical instruments to toys (spinning top, sipa) to textiles and arms, they are all there taking up the whole first floor.

I went primarily to see again the two huge dugout bancas that have been their signature Philippine items, together with piña textiles. They are usually on permanent exhibit, with the dugouts made from huge forest trees impressively hanging from the ceiling.

But this time it was an all-Philippine show, including cockfighting items like spurs and blades as representative of our native sports, together with musical items like flutes, gongs and drums from the Cordilleras. There was a focus on the tobacco culture with its attendant artifacts like woven containers, carved wood animal containers, even an embroidered cloth with glass beads for tobacco. Betel nut was also featured with metal, wood and bamboo containers. There were also the rice gods of Northern Luzon and other wood carvings as well as cooking equipment.

Source: Philippine exhibit at the Museo de la Antropologia, Madrid | The Manila Times