Idjang

Idjang Citadel
Idjang
Idjang in Savidug, Batanes Islands, Philippines.

Former names	Idjang , Moong , Kota
Alternative names	Batanes Castles
General information
Status	National Cultural Treasure
Type	Traditional Ivatan people, Tagalogs
Architectural style	Filipino
Location	Batanes Islands
Town or city	Sabtang,Savidug
Country	Philippines
Coordinates	20°20′00″N 121°31′52″E / 20.333331°N 121.531242°E / 20.333331; 121.531242
Elevation	Hilltop
Destroyed	Around 1790 CE
Height	50–70cm (terraces)
Technical details
Structural system	Fortress/ Citadel
Material	Limestone, Wood
Floor count	two -four ^[1]
Design and construction
Architect	Various Ivatan Kings or Chieftains

An Idjang or Batanes castle is a triangular-shaped hilltop citadel on the Batanes Islands in the Philippines, made from limestone and wood.

Background

In 1994, Dr. Eusebio Dizon, the Deputy director of the National Museum of the Philippines, went to Batanes with his team of experts for an archeological project. They discovered a triangular-shaped hill in Savidug, which is a municipality in Sabtang, These rocky formations are called Idjang by the locals.^[2]

The ancestors of today's Ivatans descended from Austronesians who migrated to the islands 4000 years ago during the Neolithic period. They lived in fortified mountain areas called idjangs and drank sugar-cane wine, or palek. They also used gold as currency and produced a thriving agriculture-based industry. They were also seafarers and boat-builders.

Functions

Main article: Ivatan people

Another type of Idjang near Savidug.

The Ivatan people of the northern islands of Batanes often built fortifications to protect themselves during times of war. They built their so-called idjangs on hills and elevated areas.^[2] These fortifications were likened to European castles because of their purpose. Usually, the only entrance to the castles would be via a rope ladder that would only be lowered for the villagers and could be kept away when invaders arrived.

During the colonial era

In 1783, the Spanish claimed Batanes as part of the Philippines under the auspices of Governor-General José Basco y Vargas. The Bashi Channel had come to be increasingly used by English East India Company ships and the Spanish authorities brought the islands under their direct administration to prevent them falling under British control.^[3] However, the Ivatan remained on their idjangs, or mountain fortresses. In 1790, Governor Guerrero decreed that Ivatans were to leave their idjang and to live in the lowlands, thereby giving them more people to tax. Basco and Ivana were the first towns.^[3]

References

↑ http://www.ironwulf.net/2015/08/24/batanes-savidug-idjang-exploring-the-ancient-dwellings-of-the-ivatans
1 2 "15 Most Intense Archaeological Discoveries in Philippine History". FilipiKnow. Retrieved 17 March 2015.
1 2 Howard T. Fry, "The Eastern Passage and Its Impact on Spanish Policy in the Philippines, 1758-1790", Philippine Studies, vol.33, First Quarter, 1985, pp.3-21, p.18.

National Cultural Treasures of the Philippines

Built Heritage Declarations

Metro Manila	Las Piñas Bamboo Organ San Agustin Church Santa Ana Church Camarin de la Virgen Manila Metropolitan Theater Bonifacio Monument San Sebastian Church Arch of the Centuries, Main Building, Central Seminary Building and Open Spaces of the University of Santo Tomas Santo Domingo Church Rizal National Monument

Ilocos Region	Burial Caves in Sitio Alabok Cape Bojeador Lighthouse Calasiao Church Paoay Church Bacarra Church Magsingal Church Mestizo Section, Vigan Luna Church La Union Watchtowers

Cagayan Valley	Mahatao Church Tumauini Church Malaueg Church Dupax Church

Central Luzon	Masinloc Church Minalin Church Betis Church

CALABARZON	Tayabas Church Balayan Church Maragondon Church Petroglyphs of the Rock-shelter Majayjay Church Tanay Church Tayabas Historic Bridges

MIMAROPA	Romblon Church Petroglyphs in the Caves of the Tao't Bato Area Tabon Cave Complex Twin Forts of Romblon

Bicol Region	Tabaco Church Daraga Church

Western Visayas	San Joaquin Church Panay Church Santa Barbara Church

Central Visayas	Bohol Watchtowers Baclayon Church Loon Church Panglao Church Boljoon Church Bacong Church Lazi Church Dimiao Church Loboc Church Maribojoc Church Dauis Church Loay Church Cortes Church

Eastern Visayas	Guiuan Church Capul Church

Zamboanga Peninsula	Relief Map of Mindanao Fort Pilar

Northern Mindanao	Jasaan Church Jimenez Church

Caraga Region	Balangays of Butuan

CAR	Ifugao Rice Terraces Mummy Caves of Alab Mummy Caves of Kabayan Mummy Caves of Sagada Petroglyphs of Alab Stone Agricultural Calendars of Dap-ay Guiday Tayum Church

ARMM	Karim Ul-Makhdum Mosque Kawayan Torogan

Philippine Registry of Cultural Property (PRECUP)

Government cultural agencies	Cultural Center of the Philippines Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino National Archives National Commission for Culture and the Arts National Historical Commission of the Philippines National Library National Museum Sentro Rizal

Categories of cultural properties	UNESCO World Heritage Sites National Cultural Treasures Important Cultural Properties National Historical Landmarks National Shrines National Monuments National Heritage Houses Works of National Artists Marked Structures Other Cultural Properties

Related	National Cultural Heritage Act

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Idjang

Background

Functions

During the colonial era

See also

References