Skip to main content »
Igorotage

How Igorots Got Their Tails

Up to this day, people still think Igorots have tails. Here's the truth behind the 1925 photograph.

 |  3 min read

Photograph of an Igorot with a tail in the Bontoc Province of the Philippine Islands. John Freeman, 1925

The Igorots have long suffered from discrimination in the Philippines, which has included the claim that they have tails. Up to this day, the word "igorot" alone seems to be a joke or an insult.

Photograph of an Igorot with a tail

Way back 1925, in the fourth edition of his book I Believe in God and in Evolution, William Keen included a short account of "Human Beings With Tails":

Human Beings With Tails

The literature as to tails in human beings is extensive. Cases have been reported from every continent, and, including the United States, from almost every important nation in the world. Virchow and Sir Arthur Keith, the distinguished Curator of the Hunterian Museum of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, London, than whom there can be no better authorities, and other well known writers, refer to cases of genuine tails. Some of them contain no bones, but others have rudimentary vertebrae, with complete joints between them. The microscope also shows in some cases sufficient muscular fibers to have made the tails capable of movement.

These tails are continuations of the lowest vertebrae. The 'coccyx,' the usual termination of the spine, is the representative in man of these occasionally well developed tails. All of us have potential tails. In early embryonic life of man there is a well developed tail which, however, soon shrivels, leaving only the coccyx.

It is a very significant fact that the anthropoid apes, gorilla, chimpanzee, etc., like man, have also lost their tails. The monkeys, much more distant from man have retained their tails.

Keen then provided a photograph that showed a person with a tail. It was captioned: "Photograph of an Igorot in the Bontoc Province of the Philippine Islands. It was taken early in 1925 by Mr. John Freeman, (Dr. Keen's grandson), whose guide and interpreter persuaded the man to be photographed. The tail is about five inches long. It also shows in the shadow."

Igorot with tail. Photo by John Freeman

The Correction

But soon after publication, Keen sent a rather embarrassed "Correction" to the Journal Science (Apr 2, 1926). After noting that he still believed there were cases of humans with tails, he wrote:

"The correction I wish to make is as follows: In my book "I Believe in God and in Evolution," I have included in the fourth edition a photograph of an Igorot with a tail, which I vouched for as I understood that it had been photographed by my own grandson, Mr. John Freeman.

A few days ago within a few hours of each other, I received letters from Dr. Ales Hrdlieka, of the division of physical anthropology of the National Museum of the Smithsonian Institution, and Mrs. Ella F. Grove, who a year ago had been doing some work in the Philippines for the National Research Council. Both of these correspondents stated that the Bureau of Science in Manila had shown them the original of this photograph which showed that it was a fake photograph, the tail having been added to the original by a photographer, I suppose as a joke.

On communicating with my grandson I find that I misinterpreted his letter and that he did not photograph this Igorot.

My argument that human tails (of which I have shown there are very many undoubted instances) prove our animal ancestry is not in the least disproved by my having unfortunately used a photograph which further investigation has shown to be a fraud, for there are plenty of genuine tails.

My whole object is to state the truth, and when any statement I have made is proved to be wrong, I wish to be the very first person to disclose the error.

Dr. Hrdlieka adds "As to the occurrence of tails of course I am with you in every particular."


Born Igorot, Die Igorot


Sharing is caring, kailian!

We do hope you find something great in this story. If you find this helpful, please do share it with the people you care about.


Igorotage is a platform for people to share their thoughts and ideas. The views expressed on Igorotage are the opinions of the individual users, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Igorotage.

Comments

Sign in to share your thoughts. No account yet?

What to learn next?

You might also like to read more related articles filed under History — or jump to a random article!

History Surprise me

The Out of Taiwan Theory: How the Igorot People Are Linked to Ancient Austronesians

The Out of Taiwan theory links the Igorot people to ancient Austronesians. Learn more about this theory and its implications for the Igorot people.

Jul 14 · 4 min read

Igorot Woman Marries Ford Raptor in Viral Love Story That Will Melt Your Heart

Igorot woman Anya marries Ford Raptor in unconventional love story that has gone viral.

Jun 28 · 3 min read

Igorota Baker Phoebe Kate Bastian Gut-omen Wins World Chelsea Bun Awards Bake-off Competition

Phoebe Kate Bastian Gut-omen, an Igorot baker from Sabangan, Mountain Province, has won the World Chelsea Bun Awards Bake-off Competition 2023.

Jess in Foods
May 18 · 2 min read

The Igorot Tail-Cutting Ceremony

The Igorot tail-cutting ceremony is a sacred secret tradition that has been passed down for thousands of years.

Jul 22 · 2 min read

Timichegtunnel in Belgium Named After an Igorot

The Timichegtunnel in Ghent, Belgium, is a tunnel named after Timicheg, an Igorot man from the Philippines who died during the 1913 World's Fair.

Fri at 09:34am · 7 min read

Was Carlos P. Romulo Right When He Said Igorot Is Not Filipino?

Understanding the context behind Carlos P. Romulo's statement that "the Igorot is not Filipino" and its implications for Filipino identity.

Sep 9 · 21 min read

Igorot Stone Kingdom: Explore Baguio City's Cultural Gem

Discover the Igorot Stone Kingdom nestled in Baguio City. Learn about its rich history, cultural significance, and how to plan your visit.

Sep 6 · 22 min read

Igorot Maura may NOT be a Real Person: 1904 St. Louis World's Fair

Maura, the Igorot woman from Suyoc, may have been exhibited at the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair, but there is no evidence to support her existence.

Sep 2 · 14 min read

Team Mumbaki Teaches How to Wear the Traditional Igorot Bahag

Learn how to wear the traditional Igorot bahag from Team Mumbaki. Just zoom in a little closer, it's not that HARD!

Aug 15 · 2 min read

Igorot Math Genius: Tristan Sannad Chatoy Ranks No. 1 in Canada

Tristan Sannad Chatoy, a Genius Igorot, ranks number one in math in Canada. He is also a member of the prestigious Canadian Mathematical Society.

Aug 1 · 2 min read