The name Igorot, meaning “mountaineer,” is the collective term for several Austronesian ethnic groups of people who inhabit the northern mountains of Luzon, the largest and most populace island in the Philippines. While trading at San Manual’s public market in the novel, Carlos witnesses groups of Igorot people who came down from the mountains to the lowland villages to trade their products. He notes that they walked “in their G-strings with their poisoned arrows.” This is a reference to the fact that in the early 20th century, the Igorot peoples adhered to their traditional cultural dress and way of life. Even in the 21st century, many Igorot groups still observe their traditional tribal customs.
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Igorot Term Timeline in America Is in the Heart
The timeline below shows where the term Igorot appears in America Is in the Heart. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 5
...beans, in San Manuel to sell in the town’s public market. There, they encounter many Igorots who come from the mountains to trade with the lowlanders. Mother buys a small piece...
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Chapter 9
...any other tourists with cameras. The tourists, however, are more interested in photographing the near-naked Igorot people in the city. Eventually, a ricer trader hires Carlos to transport rice from wheel...
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