Bulul are anthropomorphic wood carvings central to the Ifugao rice culture in Northern Luzon. Sculpted from different types of hardwood such as narra, ipil, and fig, the bulul is considered one of the most significant Ifugao art forms. Usually, it depicts a pair of male and female human figures carved in standing, squatting, or sitting positions with their arms extended, folded, or crossed. It is installed inside rice granaries to protect against pests and ensure the abundance of rice. The figures are also often positioned on a mortar-shaped pedestal, indicating they are intended for consecration.
One of the gifted bulul traces its provenance from Kiangan, and was purchased by Mr. Kuiper in Banaue in 1993. This seated male bulul is covered with a light patina from rice wine and sacrificial blood. Meanwhile, the other bulul stands at an upright position with both hands on the lap similar to other 15th to 18th-century Hingyon-style figures. Likewise, this female bulul is also lightly patinated with sacrificial pig blood.
This significant donation was made by Mr. Kuiper, a Canadian collector, former engineer for the Asian Development Bank, and former Board of Directors of the Canadian Society for Asian Arts. From 1991 to 2004, Mr. Kuiper documented and collected over 150 ethnological objects from the Philippines, including the gifted bulul.
On behalf of the Filipino people, the National Museum of the Philippines would like to extend its sincerest gratitude to Mr. Kuiper for this important gift to the Filipino people.