CHAPTER 1

APPLAI
- WESTERN MOUNTAIN PROVINCE WHICH IS COMPOSED OF THE
MUNICIPALITIES OF BESAO, SAGADA AND PARTS OF SABANGAN, BAUKO
AND TADIAN.
ACTIVITIES:
- WET FARMING
- SLASH
- BURN AGRICULTURE
- CAMOTE FARMING
- TRADE
- HANDICRAFT
- WEAVING
- BAMBOO BASKET
- POTTERY
- RAISE FRUITS AND VEGETABLES
- DOMESTIC ANIMALS
DIVISION:
1. DAP-AY or ABONG
- place to meet and settle disputes, hold meeting and also serves as the center of all religious
rites.
2. AMAM-A (COUNCIL OF ELDERS)
- forms the decision-making body for the dap-ay
TWO SOCIAL CLASSES
1. KADANGYAN (The rich)
2. KODO (The poor)
The old folks of good standing of the community serve as the master of the ceremony for the
weddings, death or other community related affairs.
KABUNYAN
Known as the supreme being of the Applai.

THE BADJAO: NOMADS OF THE SEA

- The traditional lifestyle of the nomadic Badjao people is under threat from modernization
and overfishing.
- The Badjao are a sea-dwelling tribe, often known as the “Sea Nomads”, who have been
floating off the shores of Southeast Asia for centuries. As a nomadic tribe living in stilt
 huts or boat houses on shallow waters, they make their living from traditional free diving
for fish and pearls. 
- As they belong to no official state and possess no official nationality, they find the move
from sea to land a challenge. Because of their nomadic lifestyle, the Badjao are at a
disadvantage with no schooling, healthcare or access to government-provided social
service
- In the process of adapting to a land-based life, their unique skills in free-diving, along
with their in-depth knowledge and understanding of the ocean, becomes much less
relevant.
- The younger generations have forgotten their ability to dive to the bottom of the reef and
walk on the bottom of the ocean.
- Many Badjao communities on land live in squalid settlements.
- Some Badjao, however, have managed to maintain a sea-faring life and preserve their
traditions in the solitude and liberty of living freely and independently on the sea, away
from the rules and restrictions that bind those who live on land.
- Some Badjao families fish and live on their handmade houseboats. 
- Because the Badjao are nomadic, most children do not receive a standard education.
- The Badjao live on floating villages built in the shallow waters off the coast.
- In a stilt house settlement, a young Badjao man takes a morning wash.
- The Badjao living at sea are a stateless people and have no nationality.
- Modern means of entertainment are starting to find their way into Badjao communities.
Young Badjao enjoy a game of pool. 
- The Badjao divers are taught how to dive from a young age and can manoeuvre at the
bottom of the sea with ease.
- Badjao divers at the coral reefs of Pulau Peleng, Indonesia.
- Larger fishing operations from the mainland and overfishing are threatening the
livelihood of the Badjao tribes.
- Many Badjao fishermen free-dive less and have adopted some modern fishing techniques
to catch more fish to sell to traders or land dwellers.
- The floating villages typify the nomadic Badjao communities. 
- A Badjao man enjoys the afternoon on the front porch of his hut.
- A group of typical Badjao huts sit on a tiny sandbank off the coast of Borneo, Malaysia. 
- The younger generation of Badjao are choosing to settle on land more and more
frequently, leaving behind an ageing community.

BAGOBO TRIBE
● Scattered throughout the Southern Philippine Archipelago slowly disappearing tribes
untouched by neither time nor colonization still exist in present time. Along the desolate
eastern coast of the Davao Gulf, centuries ago, new migrants mixed with the native
population, forming a new community that was given the name Bagobo. 
● This tribe traces its origin from the people who brought Hinduism to Mindanao, its name
was derived from the words bago meaning new and obo meaning growth. Throughout
centuries a strong social structure has enabled these native groups to blend well with the
original population, retaining their indigenous customs, beliefs and values.
 ● This tribe traces its origin from the people who brought Hinduism to Mindanao, its name
was derived from the words bago meaning new and obo meaning growth. Throughout
centuries a strong social structure has enabled these native groups to blend well with the
original population, retaining their indigenous customs, beliefs and values.
● The Bagobo are by origin a nomadic tribe, they travelled from one place to the other by
hacking their way through the virgin forests.
● The Bagobo also believe in a supreme being who inhabits the sky world, as well as a
pagan, a supernatural immortal being who will brings sickness and death to incestuous
couples.4 Mar 2010
PLACE OF LOCATION
-Mountains south and east of Mount Apo East of Cotabato
RELIGION
-indigenous
-christian
LANGUAGE
-bagobo (maanobo family)
POPULATION
-58,601 (1994)
HISTORY
-"bagobo" comes from "bago" meaning "new" or "recent", and "obo/obbo/uvu" meaning
"growth" or "grow"
ALSO KNOWN AS
-kulamanen
-manobo
-Manuvu
-matigsaug
-obo/obbo
-Tigwa-salug
-Guingan
-jangan
PHYSICAL APPEARANCE
-light brown in complexion
-hair brown or brownish black, ranging from wavy to curly
-men stand about 158 cm tall, the women 147 cm
-wide face but the chickbone are not prominent
•Eyes are dark and widely set, the eye slits slanting.
•Eyebrows are deliberately shved to a thin line
by both male and female.
•The root of the nose is low, the ridge broad.
• The lips are full, the chin rounded.
BELIEFS
•Hierarchy of God
• Rituals
• Diwata or Gods
• Pantheon of demons
Offering Paghuaga (human sacrifice)
NORMS
*The daily activities are marked by rituals.
•Do the harvesting
Offer areca nuts, betel leaves, food, clothing, and
brass instruments, all placed on special altars for
the blessing
MARRIAGE
•Parental Decision
Friendly Accommodation
•Symbol of Obligation
•Wedding Feast
-Commitment and Privilege
-Dowry Practices
BIRTH PRACTICES
Summons "Mabalian".
•Midwife Tokens.
Kill the Triplets Babies.
APPAREL/ ACCESSORIES
✓Cloth are made from Abaca
Men wear a close-fitting undershirt
Men have a hemp cloth bag
Men keep their log hair
Women wear close-fitting jacket
Women have bangs
VALUES
• Friendly – traders
• Industrious
• Obedient
ECONOMY
• The primary means of subsistence is swidden agriculture. Rice and corn are rotated.
• Other products are: copra, coffee and cacao, fruits, and vegetables.
• Trade has opened intertribal and interracia relations.
• Both men and women strip hemp for the abaca trade and for domestic purposes.
• Blacksmithing, house building, and the making of kitchen utensils like rice mortars and
meat blocks are done by the men. • The money economy, while decreasing the level of self -
sufficiendy, has helped improve production, transportation, and communication.

• Basketry is done by both sexes.

POLITICAL SYSTEM
• Mayor
• Vice - mayor with the assistance of the municipal council
• Barangay captain of the poblacion
• Sangguniang Bayan members
• Municipal development officer
• Municipal planning and development coordinator
Republic of the Philippines
• Province of Davao del Sur – Governor
• Municipality of Santa Cruz – Mayor
• Barangay – Brgy. Chairman
RELIGIOUS BELIEFS AND PRACTICES
• Sibulan
• Paghunga (human sacrifices)
• Matanom and mabahan
• Gimukod
• Pakakalangit
• Karonaronawan (hell)
• Balatik
• Gallat/gelat
• Gatok - biaan or pakakaro
• Bagkes
• Langis
• Buwis (monetary tribute)
• Saksi (witnessing)
• Pangulo (priest minister)
ARCHITECTURE AND COMMUNITY PLANNING
• Basag (hardwood planks) hewn from the palma brava tree trunk.
• Biga (taro leaves) or bulig (banana lieaves)
• Tinatang
• Rekkbong (elevated firebox)
• Sikado (bamboo water containers)
• Betill (clothesline)
• Roko goli (rice or corn granary)
VISUAL ARTSS AND CRAFTS
• Traditional clothes and jewelry.
• Bagobo tie - dye abaca fibers in deep red, maroon, and black.
PERFORMING ARTS
• Tagungguan
• Mountainous region between the upper Pulangi and Davao rivers.
PRESENT DAY SOCIO - ECONOMIC STATUS
• Sweet potato
• Corn
• Bananas
• Sago
• Coconut
• Cassava cake in a bamboo
• Chicken in coconut milk meal
• Green vegie salaf for breakfast
• Chicken in the bamboo

R.A. 8371 - Indigenous People’s Right Act of 1997 (IPRA) – is a legislation that recognize and promote all
the rights of Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples of the Philippines (ICCs/IPs).

The Act makes provision for the promotion and recognition of the rights of the Indigenous Cultural
Communities/Indigenous Peoples (ICCs/Ips) with a view to preserve their culture, traditions and
institutions and to ensure the equal protection and non-discrimination of members. The Act is divided
into the

The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) was created by virtue of R.A. No. 8317. It is the
primary government agency responsible for the formulation and implementation of policies, plans and
programs to recognize, protect and promote the rights and well being of the Indigenous Cultural
Communities (ICCs) and Indigenous Peoples (Ips) with due regard to their ancestral domains and lands,
self-governance and empowerment, social justice, human rights and cultural integrity.

APPLAI

 Western Mountain province which is composed of the municipalities of Besao, Sagada, and
parts of Sabangan, Bauko and Tadian.
 Sometimes called as the Kankanaeys because of some similarities but Congressman Alfredo
Lam-en had the Applai accredited as a separate tribe.
 activities like wet farming, slash and burn agriculture, camote farming, trade and handicraft like
backloom weaving, bamboo basket weaving, and pottery; also raise fruits and vegetables; and
also raise domestic animals. Pigs are raised in their dugungan or dongo.
 Applai villages are divided into sections into dap-ay or abong – a place to meet and settle
disputes, hold meetings and also serves as the center of all religious rites. The amam-a (council
of elders) forms the decision making body for the dap-ay.
Two social classes:
1. Kadangyan – the rich
2. Kodo – the poor

The old folks of good standing of the community serve as the master of the ceremony for the weddings,
death or other community related affairs.

Kabunyan – known as the supreme being of the Applai.

BADJAO

 popularly known as the “Sea Gypsies” of the Sulu and Celebes sea.
 a Malayan –Bornean word which connotes “man of the seas” or Orang Laut in Bahasa Malayo.
 Majority of the Badjaos live most of their lives in houseboats and barter their sea products for
farm produce as fruits and cassava.

Three classification according to lifestyle:

1. Siasi Island group – are semi-sedentary.
2. Sitangkai group – builds permanent homes on the shore.
3. Sakayan group – lives in houseboats.

The other boats are called lipa, vinta, pelang and kumpit.
 Others are scattered in Davao, Surigao, Zamboanga, Basilan, Bohol, Cebu, and Manila in search
of livelihood.
 Physical features: sturdy built, dark brown skin, and bronze hair.
 are oppressed tribe.
 Palao or lumaan (God forsaken) by the Tausug and Samals who always look down on them.
They used to live on land but the constant pressure of their safety by other tribes forced them
to seek the sea and eventually found that the sea afforded them greater avenues of escape in
the event of attack.
 They learned to exploit the sea. Their prowess is in fishing and raising seaweeds and oyster.
Pearl gathering is another option. They also gather other sea products like shells, sea
cucumbers, turtle eggs, etc) to sell at the market.
 Sama language – dialect of Badjaos.
 A childbirth practice of throwing the infant into the sea served as the initiation of the Badjao life
which is based on kinship with the sea.
 Panggi – is the staple food of the Badjao (cassava and fish). Rice is served only for dessert.
 Marriage is done on the third (3rd) menstrual period of the girl to solve the cramped living
condition in the houseboat.
  Panglima – Badjao leader who is empowered to settle disputes, collect fines, and solemnize
marriages which is usually the older member of who possess individual innate qualities, wisdom
and ability to get followers.
BAGO
 a tribal group that is a product of intermarriage between the Ilocanos of the lowland and
different ICCs of the Cordillera.
 Settled between mountain ranges of Ilocos and borders of the Ilocos Provinces.
 a tribal group that is a product of intermarriage between the Ilocanos of the lowland and
different ICCs of the Cordillera.
 Settled between mountain ranges of Ilocos and borders of Ilocos Provinces, La Union, and
Pangasinan.
 They are medium-built, having fair complexion and sturdy built.
 Crash cropping – is very dominant in their farm products.
 Tobacco-drying barns are frequently found together with harvest of garlic and onion.
 Gamal, Ammuy, and Bunggoy – a working relationship in farming methods which initiates farm
workers at harvest time.
 Gov. Lupo Biteng of Ilocos Sur and his son Jonathan Biteng who also rose to become the
Municipal Mayor of the same town are the known prominent members of this tribe.
BAGOBO
 Are proud people with proto-Malaysian features.
 Have ornate traditions in weaponry and other metal arts.
 They are noted for their skill in producing brass articles through the ancient lost-wax process.
 Are composed of three (3) subgroups namely:
o Tagabawa
o Clata or Guiangan
o Ubo
 Also weave abaca cloths, make basket that are trimmed with beads, fibers and horse’s hair.

The Tagabawa of Davao del Sur and North Cotabato, the Guiangan/Clata of Davao
City and the Ubo of Davao del Sur and Davao City are the different Bagobo
communities.
UBO – is a Manobo sub-tribe found between the more isolated mountains of
Southwest Cotabato in the area called Datal Tabayong and farther down Davao
del Sur.

They indulged in swidden or slash-and-burn farming planting with rice, root

crops, and vegetables for food purposes. Sometimes they are food gatherers in
the forest and indulge in hunting games.

Parents negotiate the marriage of their children and the family of the man must
pay the dowry before the wedding is set. Polygamy is practiced provided the man
is capable of paying the bride price for each wife and provided that the first wife
would give her consent. The first wife will initiate the duway.

They believe in a number of spirits headed by Diwata (God). Being animist, they
also believe in ancestral spirits and unseen beings inhabiting the animate and
inanimate objects in the environment. Everytime they ask favor, they have to
offer sacrifices to gain their desire.

The political leader and Datu in the village attains his position by virtue of wealth,
speaking ability and knowledge of customary law called fendan. His main
responsibility includes settling disputes among members of the family, neighbors,
and community. Once a fine is set or imposed by the Datu, the accused has to pay
it to the aggrieved party and if he cannot pay, he will become servant to the one
who pays for him. This practice is called dok.

BALANGAO – sometimes called Boliwons, and are settlers of the Eastern Mt.
Province specifically the towns of Barlig, Natonin, and parts of Paracelis.

The Balangao dialect has dominant “ch”, “r”, and “f” sounds.

Balangaos had always been farmers and make quality bamboo/rattan. Weaving
and blacksmithing are their other crafts, including hunting because they still have
virgin forests in their areas.
Some Balangaos migrated to the cities and mines to seek greener pasture, but
their hometown is still their ili (belonging to their own) where they go home from
time to time to meet their obligations as true Balangao sons.

BANTOANON – The name Bantoanon comes from the island of Banton where
they live, but some Bantoanons came from the islands of Simara and Sibale. The
mode of livelihood among the Bantoanons are fishing, upland and lowland
agriculture, trade and business.

To the Bantoanons, education is a very important aspect of life. They find ways
and means to acquire better education for a better living and they believe that
hard work, perseverance, and dedication will give them a better education.

The Bantoanons are a health-conscious people and most of them consider that
“health is wealth.” In addition, the Bantoanons of Romblon province are easily
identified by their last/family names which usually start with the letter “F”. The
Bantoanons speak a local dialect called Asi.

B’LAAN – The B’laans are another pro-Malayan indigenous group found mostly in
Davao del Sur and South Cotabato. The B’laans adhere to sedentary form of
agriculture and engage in other economic endeavors for their subsistence and
development. Although many have adapted the ways of modern Filipino and have
been integrated into the body politic, they still believe and practice their
indigenous rituals and customs.

The B’laans observe certain rituals in their planting cycle. In these rituals, they
make offerings to their deities requesting for signs to know where to best make a
clearing for a particular season. Their deities are as follows:
 Melu – The Supreme Being and creator
 Sawe – Joined Melu to live in the world
 Fiuwe – A spirit who lived in the sky
 D'wata – A spirit who joined Fiuwe to live in the sky
 Tasu Weh – The evil spirit
 Fon Kayoo – The spirit of the trees
 Fon Eel – The spirit of water
Bird hunting dance (admulak) – another ritual practiced by the B’laans.

The B’laans practice swidden agriculture. They grow rice, corn, sugarcane,
banana, papaya, and other rootcrops. Some of their crops are used as barter
commodities in exchange for tools and other utensils that they need.

GEE 006
PHILIPPINE INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES
WEEK 3

The Tagabawa of Davao del Sur and North Cotabato, the Guiangan/Clata of Davao
City and the Ubo of Davao del Sur and Davao City are the different Bagobo
communities.

UBO – is a Manobo sub-tribe found between the more isolated mountains of

Southwest Cotabato in the area called Datal Tabayong and farther down Davao
del Sur.

They indulged in swidden or slash-and-burn farming planting with rice, root

crops, and vegetables for food purposes. Sometimes they are food gatherers in
the forest and indulge in hunting games.

Parents negotiate the marriage of their children and the family of the man must
pay the dowry before the wedding is set. Polygamy is practiced provided the man
is capable of paying the bride price for each wife and provided that the first wife
would give her consent. The first wife will initiate the duway.

They believe in a number of spirits headed by Diwata (God). Being animist, they
also believe in ancestral spirits and unseen beings inhabiting the animate and
inanimate objects in the environment. Everytime they ask favor, they have to
offer sacrifices to gain their desire.

The political leader and Datu in the village attains his position by virtue of wealth,
speaking ability and knowledge of customary law called fendan. His main
responsibility includes settling disputes among members of the family, neighbors,
and community. Once a fine is set or imposed by the Datu, the accused has to pay
it to the aggrieved party and if he cannot pay, he will become servant to the one
who pays for him. This practice is called dok.

BALANGAO – sometimes called Boliwons, and are settlers of the Eastern Mt.
Province specifically the towns of Barlig, Natonin, and parts of Paracelis.

The Balangao dialect has dominant “ch”, “r”, and “f” sounds.

Balangaos had always been farmers and make quality bamboo/rattan. Weaving
and blacksmithing are their other crafts, including hunting because they still have
virgin forests in their areas.

Some Balangaos migrated to the cities and mines to seek greener pasture, but
their hometown is still their ili (belonging to their own) where they go home from
time to time to meet their obligations as true Balangao sons.

BANTOANON – The name Bantoanon comes from the island of Banton where
they live, but some Bantoanons came from the islands of Simara and Sibale. The
mode of livelihood among the Bantoanons are fishing, upland and lowland
agriculture, trade and business.

To the Bantoanons, education is a very important aspect of life. They find ways
and means to acquire better education for a better living and they believe that
hard work, perseverance, and dedication will give them a better education.

The Bantoanons are a health-conscious people and most of them consider that
“health is wealth.” In addition, the Bantoanons of Romblon province are easily
identified by their last/family names which usually start with the letter “F”. The
Bantoanons speak a local dialect called Asi.

B’LAAN – The B’laans are another pro-Malayan indigenous group found mostly in
Davao del Sur and South Cotabato. The B’laans adhere to sedentary form of
agriculture and engage in other economic endeavors for their subsistence and
development. Although many have adapted the ways of modern Filipino and have
been integrated into the body politic, they still believe and practice their
indigenous rituals and customs.

The B’laans observe certain rituals in their planting cycle. In these rituals, they
make offerings to their deities requesting for signs to know where to best make a
clearing for a particular season. Their deities are as follows:
 Melu – The Supreme Being and creator
 Sawe – Joined Melu to live in the world
 Fiuwe – A spirit who lived in the sky
 D'wata – A spirit who joined Fiuwe to live in the sky
 Tasu Weh – The evil spirit
 Fon Kayoo – The spirit of the trees
 Fon Eel – The spirit of water

Bird hunting dance (admulak) – another ritual practiced by the B’laans.

The B’laans practice swidden agriculture. They grow rice, corn, sugarcane,
banana, papaya, and other rootcrops. Some of their crops are used as barter
commodities in exchange for tools and other utensils that they need.
CHAPTER 2
BALANGAO
With a population of 29,107 (1990) head count are sometimes referred to as Boliwons and are
the settlers of the Eastern Mt. Province, specifically the towns of Barlig, Natonin and parts of
Paracelis. Oral historians of the tribe claim that in the 17th century when the Gaddangs of
Cagayan revolted and lost against the Spanish colonizers, the Gaddangs fled to the mountains
and established settlements there. Added to the original inhabitants of the mountain, slopes and
river banks were the Gaddangs and migrations from the neighboring communities-the Ifugaos,
Kalingas, and Bontocs. Culture blending for centuries resulted in the present Balangao/Boliwon
ethnolinguistic group of tribe.
The Balangao dialect has dominant “ch,” “r,” and “f” sounds like the Bontoc. They have
similarities in characteristics and physical features with their neighboring tribes but not in their
beliefs, rituals, songs, and dances.
Balangaos had always been farmers and make quality bamboo/rattan craft. Weaving and
blacksmithing are their other crafts, including hunting, because in their areas there are still virgin
forests.
Some Balangaos migrated to the cities and mines to seek greener pastures, but their hometown is
still ili where they go home from time to time to meet their obligations as true Balangao sons.

BANTOANON/B’LAAN
The name Bantoanon comes from the island of Banton, where they llive, but some Bantoanons
came from the islands of Simara and Sibale. The mode of livelihood among the Bantoanons are
fishing, upland and lowland agriculture, trade and business.
To the Bantoanons, education is a very important aspect of life. They find ways and means to
acquire better education for a better living and they believe that hard work, perseverance, and
dedication will give them a better education.
The Bantoanons are a health-conscious people and most of them consider that “health is wealth.”
In addition, the Bantoanons of Romblon province are easily identified by their last family names
which usually start with the letter “F”. the Bantoanons speak a local dialect called Asi.
The B’laans are another pro-Malayan indigenous group found mostly in Davao Del Sur and
South Cotabato. The B’laans adhere to sedentary form of agriculture and engage in other
economic endeavors their subsistence and development. Although many have adapted the ways
of the modern Filipino and have been integrated into main body politic, they still believe and
practice their indigenous rituals and customs.
The B’laans observe certain rituals in their planting cycle. These rituals, they make offerings to
their deities requesting for signs to know where to best make a clearing for a particular planting
season.
The B’laans practice swidden agriculture. They grow rice, corn, sugarcane, banana, papaya, and
other root crops. Some of their crops are used as barter commodities in exchange for tools and
other utensils that they need.

BONTOC
The Bontocs Igorots (population 157,876) are found in the mountain province of the Cordillera
ranges. Their lifew, cultures, and personalities are profoundly motivated by the religious
practices and rituals which have a historical depth of religious legends and supernatural
traditions. Kinship among them serves both as a unifying and satisfying factor as illustrated in
the performance of rituals.
The costume of the people is simple. The men wear long strips of handwoven loin cloth called
wanes. The women wear a kind of wrap-around skirt called lufid.
Men have more authority in matters of the beliefs and practices of the community than women.
From birth to death, the Bontoc is sustained, guided, and molded by a tightly knit kinship
structure, a community discipline exerted by the oldest men of high social status.
Among the Bontocs, the cycle of their existence revolves around the Ato. It is the place where
the council of elders hold various ceremonies, meetings, and events. The Ato is also a public
structure used as dormitory by the bachelors, young boys, widowers, and the visitors to the
village. It serves also as gathering place where all the men of the village spend the rest day called
Tengao. It is here where their unwritten code of ethics was formulated. The code urges Bontoc:
To respect the properties of others for people must lead good, honest lives.
To be brothers to all men.
In past generations, the Bontocs were known as fierce head hunters. This common practice was
both duty and honor. Although they no longer practice head hunting, they still do today to
avenge the death of a fellow tribesmen.

BUGKALOT/ILONGOT
The Bugkalots are found in the provinces of Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino and Aurora,
occupying no less than 62 widely scattered village-communities. Records reveal that the
Bugkalots arrived during the early part of our history. Presently, they inhabit the easterly central
part of the Carabalio and Sierra Madre Mountain rangers.
The Bugkalots subsist on the kaingin system of agriculture with root crops as their main product.
Their main occupation is hunting wild game in the forest and Conwap rivers. At the head stream
of the mighty Casecnan river is another group known as Italon tribe whose members are of
regular built and with Mongolian features such as narrow slanting eyes and aquiline nose. The
same characteristics are observed among the other groups known as Abacas, Tamsis, Dakgans,
and Kadayakans. The Kadayakans are found in Ditale, Dipaculo and Bayanihan, Baler, Aurora
(now Quezon). The Kadayakans speak fluent Tagalog aside from their own dialect due to the
influence of Tagalogs who inhabit the Province the Province of Aurora. The Bugkalots found
along the rivers of Bua and Tubo and in some parts of Conwap speak Ilokano. This group is
found in Kasibu, Nueva Vizcaya.
Presently, no less than 5,000 Bugkalot head families reside in the aforementioned provinces.
Although they live far apart from one another, their linguistic name similarities, customs and arts
show that they belong to one distinct group.
The Bugkalots are known for their colorful attire, musical instruments, and artifacts which are
shown in their blow-up pictures in museums patronized by foreign tourist in eastern and western
Europe. Their popular festive dances is called baleleng. Their more hideous ritual which rallies
all Bugkalos, male and female, is seen in the Buayat, but this is not shown to the Christians.

DUMAGAT TRIBE
The term Dumagat may have been derived from the word gubat (forest) and hubad. The more
logical origin of its name is tagadagat which is referred to “sea gypsies”.
They typify the outstanding negrito physical traits of dark brown to black color and curly hair.
The few cases of straight hair and light complexion may be chiefly the result of mixture with
lowland Christians. They have beautifully proportioned bodies, arms, legs, and breasts especially
among women. Their stature compares to an average Filipino. The women stand at 4 feet 10
inches to 5 feet 4 inches and the men tower from 5 feet to 5 feet 9 inches.
The dumagats are found in the provinces of Nueva Ecija, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Camarines
Sur, Camarins Norte Rizal and Bulacan. They live in single-pole make-shift nipa huts along river
banks during summertime and move to sturdier dwellings on the higher grounds during the
monsoon rains.
They live the life of hunters and rattans traders. Hunting is their basic occupation. Their weapons
consist of bow and arrow. Hunting with dogs is a favorite technique. They gather rattan palms
from the forest clearings and scrapes them until they are ready to be split into smaller pieces.
After these are ready, they deliver them to their tabong (market) in the lowlands and exchanges
them for rice, sugar, salt, and other commodities. They also use kaingin system of farming. They
also live by fishing with hooks, traps and spears.
Dumagats speak a language of their own among themselves. But as scholars have discovered,
they can also speak with facility the language of the region to which they have migrated. A
careful examination of the dumagats language today places its historical origin at the adaptation
of a mixed Palanan dialect around 1783 when different ethnic groups took refuge in the town in
their attempt to escape tobacco monopoly. The vocabulary consist largely of tagalog, ibanag,
Ilocano, and visayan terms.
For the dumagats, there is no wedding ceremony but a simple celebration to which the couple’s
relatives and guests are invited and at which the union is announced. As simply as the union is
made, so too is its dissolution. A dumagat couple separates simply by mutual consent.
The dumagats have no structured religion of their own although they claim to believe in
nameless, faceless god whom they invoke to protect them from danger. They are peace-loving
people. When they die, usually of sickness or old age, their remains are placed in simple coffins
of buho or bamboo and buried in silence. No prayers are offered over the graves, no sad songs
chanted. Relatives and friends of dead put aromatic herbs around their arms to serve as their
perfume.

GADDANG TRIBE
The term gadding means carabao hide or pelt. It is said that the gaddangs have already been
using carabao hide for making rope long before abaca was discovered for this purpose. The term
gadding has been used in referring to this indigenous group located in Nueva Vizcaya, Isabela,
Quirino, Cagayan.
The gaddangs have long been acculturated unlike their other brothers who still practice some of
their traditional ways. Most of them sport body tattoos.
The traditional pattern of economic activity is swidden agriculture in well-forested areas,
supplemented by the raising of crash crops such as maize and tobacco.
The gadding social organization illustrates the way in which a society adapt to a particular
habitat through swidden agriculture. The gaddangs has been using carabaos and plows for only
about 10 years. Because the gaddangs lack stable socio-political units, the dispersed settlements
are linked together through a formal or an informal network of social relations.
The household is the minimal social unit. Economically, the household stands alone, and
probably reflects the way in which the gaddangs have traditionally adapted to their environment.
CHAPTER 3

IBALOY
● Occupy the Southeast of Benguet (municipalities of Kabayan, Bokod, Tuba, Itogon,
Tublay, La Trinidad, Sablan, and Atok)
● They speak Nabaloy – linguistic sound nearer to the Pangasinanse. This maybe due to the
free movement and interaction of the natives of Pangasinan in the pre-spanish era.
● They are concentrated in Kabayan, Bokod, Tuba, Itogon, Tublay, La Trinidad, Sablan,
and Atok. All these municipalities are within the province of Benguet Cordillera Region
● They are peaceful, hardworking and hospitable tribesmen.
● Generally fair complexion and have well-developed bodies, usually standing 4 – 5 feet
above in height. They have medium and narrow noses and some have broad flat noses.
They have deep-seated brown and black eyes. Most of the women have straight and long
hair although some have curly hair.
● Not far apart in their customs, beliefs and traditions with the Kankanaeys, except that
they are linguistically dissimilar. Their belief systems are similar except with deviation in
methods of performance. The intent and purpose, however, do not change.
● They are predominantly farmers.
● With their fertile soil and temperate climate, they were abe to raise a variety of crops
● Rice is the main crop of Kabayan and other Ibaloy munipalities where irrigation waters
from rivers and streams to the rice fields through constructed canals allow two croppings
a year.
● They also raise livestock.
● Seldom does one come across a native who does not raise pigs, cows, carabaos, goats,
and chickens.
● They may also be gold panners (panejew)

IBANAG
● Population 335,780- National Council of Churches in the Philippines for Feb. 1988
● Also known as Ybanag, Ybanak or Ibanak
● Are concentrated in the provinces of Cagayan, Nueva Viscaya, and Isabela and are
among the minority of people that live along the banks of the Cagayan River.
● They are the most assimilable and adaptable among groups of the Filipino people.
● In Cagayan, Ibanags are often found in Tuguegarao, Abulug, Pamplona, Camalanuigan,
Lal-lo, Amulong, Iguig, Penablanca, and Aparri towns.
● They are agricultural and clanish people, so in a barrio, each one is a relative of someone.
● Being easily assimilated and adapted, they are easily influenced by people around them.
This is evident in their taste of food, clothing, and language.
● They are reputed to be the tallest of all the ethno-linguistic in the Philippines and are
often distinguish themselves by the color of their elbows.
● Marriage customs, to a great degree, have been made simple. Expenses are now borne by
both parties. Preparations may not be very lavish but the umena-ca presents and
 maginterga are still parts of marriage customs, likewise the gala is, sine qua non
especially in rural wedding.
● Couples without children are deemed unlucky and are believed to be punished because
they place a great value on children.
● Lutung – a wooden container from a bark of a tree wherein a small piece is taken from it,
pulverized, burned and mixed with coffee and will be served to an expectant woman on a
full moon with chanting of prayers.
● The Ibanags still practice their traditions and customs especially in the far-flung barrios.
● Most of the Ibanags in towns no longer adhere to these customs because they are
economically rich and thus, initiating modification in their traditions and practices.
● Engaged in fishing and farming.
● Most of them are already educated and blended with the cultural majority.

IFUGAO
● Immortalized by their magnificent rice terraces, inhabit the rugged terrain of the
extensive Cordillera Mountain ranges, of Central Northern Luzon.
● Have developed and maintained a distinct culture which until recently has resisted
outside influences.
● Until modern times ended their isolation, the only world they knew was their
environment of towering mountain ranges, rolling hills, windy plateaus, warm valleys,
shallow but swift rivers, dense forests, innumerable rice paddies, and kaingin on the
mountainsides.
● About origins, an Ifugao will already repeat folklore handed down through generations.
He will vividly trace his first ancestors through a large body of myths, especially those
pertaining to the creation of the Ifugao world.
● The Ifugao will declare categorically that his ancestors were the direct descendants of the
deities of the sky world (lagud), which explains why none of their myths makes any
mention of migrations into Ifugao land.
● The descendants of the first wave of Malay immigrants to the country.
● Described as medium built, brawny and brown with black eyes, straight hair, and thin
lips.
● Industrious people who depend mostly on rice growing for their livelihood supplemented
by livestock and poultry raising.
● Have woven on looms and carved works of art from blocks of woods.
● The Rice Terraces is a symbol of their industry that will live through the ages.
● The major subgroups of ifugao are tuwali, ayangan, hanglulo, and kalanguya. The
subgrouping is based largely on the difference od dialects, partly on the variation of oral
traditions and customs, and slightly on the design and color of costumes.
● In ayangan, for instance, the sound -ch- is very common and prominent. This is the
equivalent of the -d- sound in Tuwali and Kalanguya. Hence, the Tuwali word “wada”
(there is) is pronounced “wacha” in Ayangan. The Ayangan has also the sound -f-
(pronounced in hard manner and resembles soft -v- . The Tuwali term “bale” (house) is
pronounced “fotoy” in Ayangan and “baley” in Kalanguya. The Tuwali sub-group
occupies major parts of Banaue, Hingyon, Hungduan, Lagawe, and Kiangan. The
Hanglulo tribes occupies Asipulo, the Angayan occupies Mayaoyao, of Kaingan and
 Alfonso Lista, while the Kalanguya sub-groups are found in Tinoc and a small part of
Kiangan.
● The ifugaos practice a number of rituals.
● Hingot, the betrothal ritual which announces the union of two families (generally
marriages among the Ifugaos are pre-arranged);
● Amung, a sacrificial ritual wherein the gods and the family’s ancestors are asked to make
the body heathy, the mother well and strong, and the family’s wealthy
● Uya-uy, a ritual of feasting
● Hagabi, a ritual for those aspiring to attain the rank of the real “kadangayan”
● Ketema, a ritual intended to identify the spirit who caused a certain sickness
● Ayag,a ritual performed to identify the evil spirits who caused an illness
● Kolot, a ritual for the first cutting of child’s hair
● An Ifugao tribal elder priest (Mumbaki) perfoms a thanksgiving offering (baki) tro gods
for a meaningful, fruitful season of good harvest

IKALAHAN

● The term Ikalahan is derived from the world Kalahan which refers to the type of forest
trees growing in the area.
● Prefix “I” denotes residents.
● “people of the forest” number 30,000 (National Council of Churches in the Philippines
for Feb. 1988)
● They are concentrated in the boundary of Sta. Fe and Pangasinan, Kayapa (province of
nueva ecija, region II), and Baguias (province of benguet, CAR)
● They are short people, fair complexioned, black round eyes and black straight and silky
hair. Noses are fairly developed. They are shy and they live-in far-flung areas, unreached
by any type of transportation.
● Ikalahan economy is basically agricultural. The primary source of livelihood is Swidden
gardens planted with several varieties of camote and gabi. Other crashed crops like beans,
bananas, gingers, and few trees are also planted. Rice is grown mainly in a few terraced
fields; they also practice occasionally wet agriculture.
● Raising pigs and chickens is an important part of Ikalahan economy.
pigs, because of their importance in prestige feast, have been used as the primary index of
wealth in Ikalahan society.
● In recent times, because of the diminishing observance of the prestige feast, ownership of
cows has become a more important indicator of wealth.
● Handicrafts such as making brooms, baskets and backpacks are seasonal industries in
Ikalahan homes.
● Gongs, Gangsa, guitar or galdang, pakgong, and ko-lin (low harp) are the musical
instruments.
● Nangkaama- or the elders are the person in authority. Their decisions are well respected.
The ascendance to the elder status does not require any election nor is it received through
inheritance. It is an earned status through community recognition of one’s ability to
accomplish reconciliation. This leadership quality is most pronounced in the tongtongan
(conference), where all sorts of crimes and offenses are settled through the council of
 elders. Tongtongan is the highest arbitration body in the ikalahan society. It is composed
of elders acting as judges and counselors at the same time. It serves as the official venue
for the solution of problems, crimes, and other issues brought to its attention.

ILIANEN (Iranen)
● Manawen (people from the lake) is the original form of the name Ilianen.
● are very closely related culturally and linguistically to both the Maguindanaon and the
Maranaos. Sometimes the ilianens (especially those living in Lanao del sur) are counted
with maranao and sometimes with the maguindanaon.
● Have been a seoarate group, througha all three groups sprang from common ethic origins
long centuries ago.
● Concentrated along Iliana Bay coast, north of the mouth of Pulangi River all the way to
Sibugay Bay in Zamboanga River.
● They are all active traders and historically they were great buccaneers.
● They have their own datus but in the past they more or less acknowledged the overlord
ship of sultan of Maguindanao.
● Most of them engaged in fishing while the rest raise food crops.
● Men provide food for their families through subsistence fishing and farming. Women
help in food-gathering to augment their meager harvest.
● A "datu " heads the tribe and together with a council they form the timuay (governing
body" which is the highest class in their society. The other four are the walian or
"shaman" (spiritual leaders), the warrior, and the commoner. They still practice rituals
like the Samaya-an Festival, a thanksgiving celebration.
● Originally,they were animists but with the advent of Christian missionaries some of them
converted to different Christianity or other religions.

ISINAY
● are located in three (3) towns of Dupax, Bambang, and Aritao in the province of Nueva
Viscaya.
● They speak the same dialect with the same minor differences like the intonation
pronunciation of final consonants, and some verbal terms.
● Isinays are Malay blend but with a high percentage of short people, fair complexioned,
with rounded big eyes, natural hair, high cheek bones, well -shaped nose and widened
lips. Women are physically more buxom than men.
● They are known as religious people. Often they are religious leaders in the community,
observing the daily oracion and pasyon during the Holy Week.
● Many of the isinays social customs are quite distinctive.
● They are markedly conservative and adhere to the old practices. Evidence is the
disapproval of the intermarriages between members of their tribe and neighboring folk.
(especially the Ilocanos)
● Pansisipe – a meticulous care that is given to the woman during pregnancy to insure the
mother and the child’s welfare.
● Do’s and Don’ts are strictly followed after giving birth. (Example: a woman is advised
not to take a bath for ten days and carefully select the food she will eat lest the young
born child will be affected.
● They harvest twice a year and plants vegetables in between seasons
● 80% of their sustenance is derived from agriculture.
● 5% are fishermen who just rely on fishing in the river.
● Tabuu is fishing in the river using net and panipit using bamboo - is practiced by
fishermen which comprised 5% of the population.
● Another 5% are carpenters, laborers, and animal raisers.
● Middle class Isinay manage their own ranches and raises their carabaos for market.

ISNAG
● Small ethnolinguistic group in the mountains of Apayao.
● They are one of several mountain people who were never subdued in nearly 350 yrs
of spanish rule.
● Various names have been used to designate Isnay like los Apayaos and los
Mandayas – is an Isnag word meaning “upstream”.
● They live in settlements along the river, but move up to hills to tend their farms
during certain seasons of the year.
● Each village along the river is marked by tall coconut palms towering above it. Most
villages are quite small.
● Despite all the space at their disposal, the people still build their houses rather close
together, both for protection and companionship.
● Like most other Filipinos, the Isnags are malay type ancestry. Little is known about
where they came from before they settled in Apayao, or when they came. Various
names have been used to designate the Isnag.
● They are called los apayaos or Los mandayas in spanish references. Los apayaos
refer to the river along whose banks the people live, and mandayas is related to an
isnag word "upstream"
● The word isnag probably came from an ilocano word meaning "from tineg", a town
and a river in Abra. the word later came to mean "enemy" and was later discarded,
and this mountain people came to be known by their neighbors as isnag.
● Isnah and Apayao are alternative terms that refer to the inhabitants of Apayao in
what used to be a part of mountain province before it was partitioned into the 5
provinces of benguet, kalinga, apayao, mountain province, and bontoc.
● very little is known about how the isnags lived before the spaniards came to the
philippines. It is probable that they lived much as they do today - by hunting, fishing,
and kaingin farming. That there was direct or indirect trade with china is evidenced
by the chinese jars, plates, and beads that are prized possession of many isnag
families.
● Activities related to head-taking occupied a large part of the time of isnag men:
Learning the art of war, training the young men, making and repairing their weapons,
and protecting their homes and families from attack.
● Isnag – also called Isneg is their native language although most Isnag also speak
Ilocano.
 ● They are known for head-hunting activities because of the following reasons:
o For religious reasons
o For prestige
o As a qualification for marriage
o For revenge
● After a number of battles before and after 1913, the isnags were convinced that their
spears were no match for the "thundersticks" of the American soldiers.
● From that time on, the isnags lived as a comparatively peaceful people.
● the religion of the isnags was animistic, their traditional religious beliefs were
concerned with their relationship with a great number and variety of spirits. 2
elements usually present in religions were largely lacking in that of the isnag: belief
in supreme being, and a serious attempt to explain the nature of thw universe.
● beauty seems to have very little premium, if at all, in isnag customs and traditions,
with respect to courtship and marriage. Consideration of beauty is not what propels
isnag swains toward the choice of mate but rather a woman's capacity to work.
● health and strength are considered more important.
● amazon-like women have a decided edge over the fragile ones in the contest for the
affections of man. Such seems to be the sad lot of tge isnag women to work in the
kaingins (swidden fields)
● a man who happens to own a largw kaingin is constrained to indulge in polygamy,
which is duly sanctioned by their traditions. However, it is rarely practiced as the
isnags resort to polygamy not for pleasure but to acquire additional help.
● the isnags generally abhor marriage between cousins or kin.
● however, such marriage occur at times, but only because of such factors as scarcity of
women, difficulty of travel, and enmity with other tribes.
● Divorce is not entirely alien to the isnags, which invariably reflects the flexibility of
their character. But the principal reason for divorce, as with the igorot, is failure to
bear children.
● Educated isnag women reject the custom of having them work on the farm. Thus,
they prefer to many into another ethnic group, preferably the ilocanos who are
reputed for their industriousness.
● Households consist of interrelated families living close to each other, and extended
families of three generations living together in their balay.
● The family is the key element in society, the larger the better, headed by the husband. 
● The bravest, Kamenglan, is the overall leader.
● They are animistic and practice polygamy if a man happens to own a large kaingin
● Amazon-like women have a decided edge over the fragile ones in the contest of the
affection of man. Lots of Isnag women work in the kaingin (swidden fields).
● Marriage between cousins or kin occur at times, but only because of such factors as
scarcity of women, difficulty of travel and enmity with other tribes.
● Failure to have children is the principal reason for divorce

ITAWES PRIDE
The Itawes inhabit the territiry drained by the Chico and Matalog rivers as well as all of
Southern Cagayan from Nasiping to the Village of Cavug, now the town of Enrile.
 Except for certain nuances in their language and the flair among their women folk for
ornamentation and colorful attire, nothing basically differentiates them from Ibanags of
whom they really are ethnic subgroup. Thet got their name “tawid”.
The early natives of Cagayan never referred to one another by the group description of
Ibanags, or the I - rita (those from the south). Occasionally, I - Raya was also used.
The Itawes culture seems to be quite distinct from that of the Ibanags. The Itawes mode
of dressing appears to be likewise more colorful, red being a dominant color. The woman
used to wear beads on their heads, a practice still found among those in the remote areas.
Farming seems to be a leafing source of livelihood. Almost three-fouths (72.7%) of the
people of the province are engaged in agriculture, hunting, forestry, fishing, and related
occupation.
The average Itawes family family seems to be education - conscious, this being shown by
the good number of their children being sent to school.
Based on the dialect the people appear to be the most versatile group in the province.
They speak Ibanag and Ilocano. The Itawes dialect has also other peculiar characteristics
such as the frequent use of the double consonants like cc, kk, w.
The contemporary Itawes are a charming, friendly, and sociable group whose daily mode
of life is not markedly different from the rest of their countrymen, whether in the style of
their houses, their occupation and religious affilliation, all of which are signs of the
Itawes culture.
Death among the Itawes galvanizes not only the familly, but also the whole neighborhood
or community into action. The usual church rites for the wakes and burial are observed.

IVATAN TRIBE
The Ivatans are found chiefly in the Batanes group of small islands. Most of them
are on the islands of Batan, Sabtang, and Itbayat. There is solid evidence for
believing that the present Ivatans are the Christianized surviving group of an
ancient people who once occupied all the islands between Luzon and Taiwan, and
who are probably represented in the purest form of today by the natives of Botel
Tobago. However, there probably exists a fairy strong cultural element on Batan
derived from the Chinese contact which is absent on Botel Tobago.
The people call their language Chirin nu Ibatan, but its better known as Ivatan. Its
dialects are the norhern (Basco), Itbayat (Itbayat Island), the southern (Sabang
Island), and possibly Yami.
The dominant physical type is the Malay blend – short, squat, with a strong
mixture of the short Mongol type. There are some individuals who seem to have
some physical characteristics peculiar to the Ainus of Japan. Their general culture
is markedly different from the Spanish - Filipino culture, but their economic and
social life does show certain differences. The persistence of these cultural
survivals are most probably due to their geographical isolation. They have several
unique customs related to marriage due to marriage and death. Many ancient
beliefs have been preserved to this day.

IWAK TRIBE
The Iwak population as a whole is not homogenous, and they disperse themselves
among the ethnic groups. Thereafter, they are accultured into the characteristics of
these dominant groups creating a variation of technology language, and culture.
Their settlements tend to cluster or the higher slopes of the mountains near stream
sources. Hence, they are found in the watersheds of the drainage systems of the
Cordillera and Caraballao mountains.
Iwak subsistence technology ranges from the intensive of wet agriculture to slash
- and - burn cultivation of both grain and root crops. This is a manifestaion of the
culture of the dominant tribes around them. Significantly, however, taro is still
being cultivated; it is the preferred staple and ritually most prized. Recently, the
sweet potato has been supplanting taro on the Iwak’s daily diet in most areas, but,
indicatively, taro is still irreplaceable for ritual purposes.
The market sphere of Iwak produce is connected in handicraft manufacturing.
They are sold at outlets specifically at the town of Santa Fe, Nueva Viscaya,
which is the juncture of the Cordillera and Caraballao mountains. This production
is limited to two kinds: basket and brooming making. Basketry technique has
three classes: Kabang – all purpose back basket; Gipia – small shallow tray used
during meal time, and Dakilan – a large flat mostly used during rituals.
CHAPTER 4
KALAGAN
- Islamized Indigenous people in western Davao Gulf Area. Became muslim in the middle of 19th
century.
-Kagan came from the word kaag which means to inform, to secure or secrecy.
-ka-allagan which means shining light referring from to the sun due as they are believed to be
more advanced in lifestyle and society than their neighbouring tribes which live on the Highlands
of the mountains of Davao.
-The Kagans lived in the communities called Banwa.
- Each Banwa has its own leader called Datu. The Datu is usually a man with a strong political
and physical leadership among the community folks.
- early kagans is believed to be an animist and they believed that there is a one supreme god
called Tagallang means Creator.
-They also believed that all of nature like trees, stone, mountains, river, and ocean has a spirit
they called Maguya and they respect it by performing ceremonial rituals as a sign of respect.
The ones who perform the rituals are priests called Balayans which means shaman or healer or
the one who can contact the spirits by asking cure for the sick, for the guidance and the security
of the tribe and even fortune telling.
-Those of Highest Rank in their society do not perform manual labor. Among the rest of the
population, male and female division of labor is not very pronounced. Generally, men do the
plowing, tilling, and other heavy farm work. The women do most of the domestic work, often
assisted by their older children.

KALINGA
- is both a tribal community and a landlocked province in the heart of the cordillera region in
northern luzon, the Philippines. Until recently Kalinga people could be identified from a distance
by their distinctive body art. Immersed in the magnificent mountains, kalinga people lived
modest but passionate lives in a world where your skin communicated your social status to the
local community.

Tattoo Artist: Whang Od

She also inked the skin of the women from the tribe, the tattoos are considered as a sign of
beauty and elegance. She is the living proof of the tribe/s batok (hand-tapping) culture. Covering
her body are tattoos with different meanings and designs.
Whang od never married, she lost her significant other during the Japanese occupation and since
then, she stayed single. She is training her grandniece Grace Palicas to continue the tribe’s tattoo
tradition. She believes that she can only pass it to her bloodline because if someone outside the
tribe were to continue the tradition, the tattoo would be infected.
-these head hunters were the warriors of their tribe, who protect their villages, to the extent of
killing their enemies. It is a symbol of bravery and courage.
-”an eye for an eye. A life for a life. Vengeance is a way of life for Kalinga people”
Killing the enemy in battle and defending the village was the only way a kalinga man could earn
his social stripes, henceforth giving him special privileges and lifelong respect.
-”Kalinga men don’t cheat” she said assertively, “they wouldn’t dare. Kalinga women are strong
and would kill their husbands if caught cheating.”

KANKANAEY
- are indigenous peoples of the northern Philippines. They are part of the collective group of
Indigenous people known as the Igorot People.
-The kankanaey differ in the way they dress. The soft-speaking kankanaey women’s dress has a
color combination of black, white and red. The design of the upper attire is a criss-crossed style
of black, white and red colors. The skirt or tapis is a combination of stripes of black, white and
red.
-They practice parental marriage. A wedding is celebrated with big feasts and many rituals done
before and during the wedding ceremony. Butchering of animals is a very important part of the
wedding. In the past there have been cases of intermarriages with the lowland people. But due to
unfavorable experiences, this practice is already declining. The kankanaey families believe that
husbands are the heads of the family and elders should be well-respected in the community.
-Having been reached by modern amenities, live in big communities and are aware of the
importance of education. Because of a high literacy rate among the group, they desire socio-
economic developments such as improvement of the road from towns to villages, protection of
remaining forest, and the improvement of the water system, and electrification of kankanaey
territory.
-hardworking people in the field of agriculture who are already reached by modern technologies.
-builds rice terraces which have become sufficient sources of food. The staple foods of the
kankanaey are camote, rice, potatoes, and other root crops like tugi and gabi.
- the kankanaey are some of the best vegetable growers in the philippines. They are innovative in
the fields and they practice proven technology like irrigation and the construction of rice
terraces. Most of their income comes from tilling the fields. They are also into mining since the
kankanaey territory yields lots of mineral, particularly gold.
The people have been christianized because of the long years of missionary presence in the
kankanaey ares. Many are now roman catholics and protestants. Some have joined the iglesia ni
cristo and other religious groups established within the kankanaey areas. Although many have
professed in Christ, most of them still engage in pagan practices as shown in many of their rituals
during weddings, rites of passage, planting and harvest, medicine and others.
MAJOR DANCES: Tayaw, pattong, and balangbang.
Tayaw- community dance that is usually performed at weddings.
Pattong- community dance from mountain province which every municipality has its own style.
Balangbang- is the modern word for pattong.
Other dances: sakkuting, pinanyuan (wedding dance) and bogi-bogi (courtship dance).
Houses: are built like the other igorot houses, which reflect their social status.

KARAO
The karao people live as small community in Bokod, Benguet, in the eastern regions of north
luzon. They can be distinguished from other local tribes by their unique culture that observes a
different form of their neighbors, such as kalanguyas and ibalois. However,they still share some
similarities with the other ethnic groups of the cordillera through their belief system and rituals.
- have a distinct belief system and set of rituals because of the way their people perform such.
Even though most of their ritual and the observance of their belief system are practiced under
each of their own languages, these serve the same purposes as those done by other ethnic tribes.
- as the years passed, the people gradually lost interest in the community’s rich practices and
cultural traditions. This is a sad reality that is slowly but painfully hitting the karao people.
-Karaos observe the following institutions:
The Family- the abo-nan (a community center)
The amang - (a sleeping quarter for boys, girls and newlyweds)
The cheng ngeg- ni baley (foundation house)
The Chelos- (rituals)
Their Pagan god is Kabunian. They focus on courtship, marriage, divorce, pregnancy, birth,
death and burial, harvest, and thanksgiving.
The Karaos are predominantly Farmers. Their main season crops are the kintoman (one kind of
rice) and the talon. They also produce vegetables and fruits, raise poultry, swine, cattle, and
gather oleoresin from benguet pine tree.

MAGAHAT
-the magahats are also know as the Ati-man and Bukidnon. There are concentrations of Magahats
found in southwestern Negros, Santa Catalina, Bayawan, ans Siation in Negros Oriental; and in
Negros Occidental. Their Language is a mixture of HIligaynon and Sugbuhanon.
- practice swidden agriculture because their settlements are in mountainous areas. They are food
gatherers and good hunters as well.

MANDAYA
Both non-Christian and non-Islamic, the mandaya are found in Davao Oriental and Davao Del
Norte, Mindanao.
Their name means “the first people upstream” derived from man (first) and daya (upstream or
upper portion of a river). Mandayas are said to be polygynous; divorce is also socially
acceptable.
Shifting cultivators who rely largely on swidden farming (also known as slash and burn) as a
means for survival. Their other means of livelihood include fishing, food gathering, hunting and
the planting of abaca as a cash crop.
Aesthetics and arts rank high among Mandaya. They are excellent metalsmiths, who can fashion
over silver ornaments and brass items (evidence of their contract with muslim groups) and
weapons. Music is also an important part of Mandaya culture, as they use various musical
intruments and dances for celebrations and rituals.
The Mansaka is a combination of man (first) and saka (to ascend), and is almost identical to the
meaning of Mandaya: ‘the first people to climb the mountains or go upstream” Mansaka can be
found in Davao Oriental.
The Mansaka’s Traditional clothing distinguishes them from other tribes. The cloth and its
patterns are handwoven. Jewelry is an important part of the attire of both genders.
CHAPTER 5
HIGAONON (Igaonen-Highlander)
 people of the wilderness
 bukidnon province but also hinterlands of Agusan del sur

Ethno legal aspect : Datu system

Principal headman rules over an entire community.
Datu is responsible for the administration of community.
Dying Datu passes his title to one of his children preferably son.

MATIGSALUG
 distinct subgroup of indi people w/in manok group.
 Central Mindanao
Orig settlement: mouth of salug river (davao)
 Called as splinter group of manobo, immigrants who jumped off area to mainland of sulu
archipelago.
 They practice hunting and gathering lifestyle w/ minimal agricultural efforts.
 Influence by migrant farmers and businessman.
 Shifted to sedentary land cultivation.
 Costume of bright colored mid rib blouses short skirts.
 Skillful hunting and gathering technique.

IRAYA (Man or Human Being)

 Mangyans of mindoro.
 Municipalities of abra de ilog, Paluan, mamburao.
 Family considered as basic unit of production and consumption.
Guraan - kindred system traced to both mother and father links.
Talnakan - nuclear family
  Eldest takes place as parents during their absence and consider as second parent
(intermediary)
 Leadership provided by puonbalayan.
 Local group referred to as sanguraan.
 Moral and legal problems referred to puonbalayan for decisions.
 Criminal act or offense done is corrected with pangaw or tige.
Pangaw - detention cell
Tige - punishment (suspect should immerse their right hand on a pot of boiling water and get the
white stone at the bottom, suspect who got burned will be judge guilty)

MANGUANGAN
 Cordillera sugut mindanao.
 Scattered to great lakes of buayan or maguindanao.
 They recognized bu jesuits and other as a distinct tribe.
 Considered as sort of people mixed descent that one might expect to find in a region
between the inhabitants of two tribes like manobo and mandaya.

KALANGAN
 One of the mangyan ethnic groups.
 Mt. Halcon occupying northern part of occidental and oriental mindoro.
 Found in lantuyan and paitan.
 Settlement near midstream of dulangan river.
 Medium built; round face w/ straight and long hair.
 Complexion is dark and their teeth are blackened by betel nut chewing.
 Upland agriculture of kaingin system, they cut open forest every year or two to make new
swidden sites.

ARUMANEN (Manobo)
 Province of north cotabato
 They belong to original proto philippines stock.
 Major means of subsistence is food gathering and swidden agriculture.
 Both men and women are take part in burden of work.
Timuey - head of arumanen who calls the people in meetings.
Social structure: Timuey (governance group)
Valian or Shaman (spiritual leader)
Warrior
Commoner
Slave
Samaya-an festival (thanksgiving to God and deities) celebrated annually on the last week of
December.
It is also celebrated to seek sign for what blessings and misfortune will bring to community.

HANUNUO (Mangyans)
 Marisalay and san pedro (Bulalacao)
 Southeastern Mindoro.
 Hanunuo means REAL, TRUE, GENUINE.
 Fairly tall in structure and their bodies are slim and well proportioned, oblique eyes, flat
nose, prominent cheekbones, flat forehead and olive skin.
 Men sporting a long-braided hair in upper part of their head with the rest of their hair cut
short, if not shaved.
 Women hang up their hair behind their heads breaded band serve as ornament.
 Long and wavy hair
 Small set of teeth caused by their common practice of filling their teeth while young.
 Houses are more permanent in structures made out of light materials elevated five or four
feet, supported by Bamboo, Nipa, Cogon.
 Houses are used for sleeping, eating and workroom.
 G-STRING WITH SHORT PANTS.
 Women-Rectangular piece of cloth both end sewn serve as skirt.

Tight Fitting Shirts

*Balukas -men
*Lambong -women
*Subon- short sleeved
*Nito- woven belt
System of writing:
Sanskirt alphabet
18 Characters vowels
15 characters combined with vowels
Siyaw- bolo shaped knife used for inscribing
Bamboo- for paper, either split or whole
Played instruments by Men: Gitgit, Kudyapi, kinaban
Played instruments by Women: Lantuy (bamboo flute)
Taghup or Tanghup (bamboo whistle)
Ambahan (Poem) with line of 7 syllables, tool for courting women.
They marry at an early age.
Subing - three strung guitar used for courting.
Dowry arranged by parents.
Magdadniw- a kind minister.
They have no written laws.
Hanunuos has two burial occasions:
*soon after death
*after a year or two years when the bones have to be exhumed.
Maha na Makaako - supreme being who watches over them and loves them.
Presidents - son of supreme being who executes his Fathers command.
They believe in evil and immorality.

BATANGAN
 Sub tribe of mangyan.
 Found in forest of mindoro, southern tip of western mindoro.
 They belong to ethnic stock called proto Malay.
 Bilingual in speaking: Batangan and Tagalog.
 They dont have personal names.
 Band level of social life.
 Both sexes wear loin cloth, married women cover their breasts.
 Houses are made of bamboo and cogon grass.
 Swidden agriculture produce camote, taro, and upland rice.
 Household is the smallest residential economic and ritual unit.
 The head of household is the father or husband.
 Material property is equally divided as inheritance among male and female offspring
alike.
 Folk medicines are taught to all male children.
 Amurit witchcraft is also taught to adult male through the old men in group.
 Fu:unan(priest) inherited by the male line from father to eldest son.
 Function of fu:unan : attend funerals, harvest ceremonies, medicine man, and cure
diseases.