Journey of the Barong Tagalog, Addendum Part 10.2: 19th Century French Artist Illustrations of Life in the Philippines

 

Illustration title - “En Cul De Lampe. Départ D’indiens Tagals pour la Chasse.” [Translation - In a Cul-de-lampe, Departure of Tagalog Natives for a Hunt]. Caption in Illustration - “Départ de Chasseurs Tagals. (Ile Luçon, Philippines)” [Translation - Departure of Tagalog Hunters. (Island of Luzon, Philippines)]. By Vicomte M.E.B. de la Touanne, 1828. Tagalog hunters prepare to leave from Limay, a town at the foot of the Mariveles mountains in the province of Bataan. Some ride horses equipped with nets and carrying long spears, and some walk carrying javelins. The hunters on foot retrieve the prey and handle the hunting dogs.

A closeup of the left half of the illustration. The hunters wear white Barong Tagalog with white pants, likely made of cotton, linen or some other durable, comfortable and functional fabric. Some wear salakot (native helmet-like hat) on their heads and red belts around their waists, which are probably for holding tools or accessories.

A closeup of the couple on the right half of the drawing. The man sitting with his dog wears a jacket over his untucked striped Barong Tagalog, striped pants and decorated salakot on his head. His mode of dress indicates he is of the principalia class, and likely from the local municipal government. The woman wears striped baro’t saya (blouse and skirt) and a mantilla (scarf or veil) on her head.