The painting by Jose Honorato Lozano shows a male Ifugao/Ifugaw. Not only is he holding an axe, but also bow and arrow. It is known that the Ifugao have long time ago disregarded the use of the bow and arrow, and so I am wondering why such weapon appears in a 19th century painting.
There are historical accounts describing the headaxe being used to pick a severed head. I doubt however if Lozano has ever actually seen it happen. I suspect that his painting was based on stories he has heard or read.
Indeed, more questions than answers...
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