The Mandaya Ethnic Group

MANUEL B. OMPANG

According to the writing of John Garvan in his memoir in the New York Academy of Sciences, the
Mandaya is “probably the greatest and best tribe (*Editor’s Note: the correct term should be “ethnic” or
“indigenous” or “ethnolinguistic group,” as technically, the Philippines does not have “tribes’) in Eastern
Mindanao”. Miguel Sadera-Maso writes that the Mandaya “are considered by the non-Christians as the
oldest and most illustrious of the peoples.” Indeed, Mandaya culture continues to amaze and interest
many people as it becomes enduring and persevering generation after generation. Mandaya means
“inhabitants of the uplands”. Quite interestingly, areas occupied by the Mandaya in the Pacific rim are
characterized by rugged topography with few plains along the coastal areas.

The ethnographic map of the Spanish colonizers shows Mandaya existence in the present provinces of
Davao Oriental, Davao del Norte and Compostella Valley, and from Tago town of Surigao del Sur and
Southern part of Agusan del Sur. This colorful ethnic group since then have underwent many influences
from neo-political and economic systems. Other sub-groups emerge with names taken from their
locational self-ascriptions. Among these are the Mansaka, Dibabaon, Pagsaupan, Mangguangan,
Maragusan, and Dibabaon (Cole, 1913); and the Kalagan Kamayo. William A. Savage-Landor includes the
Tagacaolo as a branch of the Mandaya. Presently, the concentration of the Mandaya is in Davao Oriental
that lies along the Pacific Ocean. Cole (1913) avers that Mandaya is the largest tribal unit in
southeastern Mindanao.

During the Spanish time, the Davaweno group emerged. These are the Mandaya converts into
Christianity baptized during the 1870’s at the height of Spanish colonization of the Philippines. The
creation of Provincia de Caraga long before the Davao province during the colonial period provides the
historical and chronological evidence that Davaweños are Mandaya descendants.

Sons of the Mandaya became political leaders as governors and congressmen during the Spanish
colonization. They are Governors Sobrecarey and Generoso and Congressman Teodoro Palma Gil, who
was a classmate of Jose Rizal. The dominance of Mandaya offsprings in political, social and economic
fields was traced as one great influence in their ethnocentrism.

Economy

Agriculture is the main source of living. Rice, tubers, and other cultigens are cultivated in pawa (swidden)
farming) along with bananas, vegetables and root crops. Hunting for wild pig, deer, chicken, monkeys,
lizards, birds and other animals complement farming.

At an early age, children are taught how to hunt using spears and traps. The Mandaya are freshwater
fishing experts. Individual, family and cooperative fishing are done using several methods like traps, stun
rods, draining, spearing and also bare hands. Environmental destruction and degradation together with
rapid urbanization have drastically reduced hunting and fishing.
Trading has tremendously increased and agricultural plantations as Western ownership and economic
system dominated Philippine scene. The development of abaca industry during the American time paved
the way to cash economy. After the World War II, coconut industry made a breakthrough and is
sustained until now. Barter system, however, is still exercised among the Mandaya in the hinterlands.

By practice, farming is very much influenced by deep religiosity. Rites and rituals and other belief
practices with lavish offerings are observed before, during and after farming. Au-yon (cooperative
farming) is a common practice. Post-harvest pasawit (sharing) is valued to get more blessings the next
planting season.

The intimate belief of the Mandaya created a unique blend of nature, spirits and man.

Culture and Arts

Undoubtedly, the Mandaya have one of the richest cultural heritage among ethnic groups. They are very
close to their families. Christianized Mandaya still retain some of the past beliefs creating a syncretic
form of religion.

Dagmay, an abaca handwoven cloth with intricate designs revolving around man and crocodile, is one of
the most popular material culture. Its mud-dyeing technique is believed to be the only one existing in
the Philippines. Interestingly, dagmay weaving has also become a pasttime of women as they cooperate
in tie-designing while making pleasantries. Bayok, a highly tonal art of delivering messages in the form of
figurative speeches, passages, and even euphemism usually done in pairs and in continuous answering
pattern. Like a debate, each of the bayok artist stands on opposite sides. Bayok chanting is indispensable
in important celebration and events like proposal for marriage. settlement of conflicts, welcoming of
visitors and also in common merrymaking. Any topic like funny personal traits, food, offering of drinks
and many more could be derived for a bayok.

Mandaya also has an array of musical rendition. Instruments like kudlong, a two-stringed zither with
only one string with frets, deliver music with historical, eventful, and important meanings. Kudlong is
played before hunting, staging the deadly pangayao (vendetta killing) or farming. It could also be for
simply entertainment. One popular instrument also is the gimball or gimbao, a large drum made using
deer hide from a doe on one side and from a stag on the other side to produce different tone and pitch.
The drum is played to accompany the Balyan in her performance in summoning the spirits. During
celebrations, gimbao is indispensable in dances and any celebration, ritual and assembly. It is played by
one of two players. The Mandaya also plays a meter-long flute called bonabon made of a slender
bamboo. Its music ranges from sentimental to jolly ones with deep emotional expression. The suding,
jew’s harp made of bamboo, add more range to the music of the Mandaya.

Traditional governance

The traditional governance of the Mandaya displays a strong leadership. Customary laws are observed
and stiff penalties are imposed. Acceptance and respect by the community makes a tribal governance
work. In some areas, the elders and leaders approve holding of pangayao to exact justice and revenge.
In the hinterlands, the government imposed systems in the lowlands has little effect on their practice of
customary laws, however, Mandaya’s have to compete with migrants from Luzon and Visayas who were
brought by Americans and later, by government programs. Slowly, the ethnic people are being left
behind.

Beadcraft

The beadcraft technique of the Mandaya is something to marvel at. For beads, aborigines had long used
teeth coming from crocodiles, wild cats and other wild animals, tusk of boar, bones, seeds, shells, stones,
wood, even skulls of small animals.

After grouping the strands into the desired number, usually in two’s or three’s, the artist rubs the fibers
end with bees wax. Basically, the Mandaya uses the color red, black, white, and yellow. In some
instances, but very rarely, greens and blues are added to it.

Reference:http://ncca.gov.ph/subcommissions/subcommission-on-cultural-communities-and-
traditional-arts-sccta/central-cultural-communities/the-mandaya-ethnic-group/

Quezon City - Consisting of both the non-Christian and non-Islamic, the Mandaya are found throughout
Davao Oriental and Davao del Norte, Mindanao. Their name denotes the “first people upstream” and
derived from man “first” and daya “upstream or upper portion of a river”. They are shifting cultivators
who depend largely on swidden farming (slash-and-burn) and supplement it with fishing, hunting-
gathering, and planting of abaca as a cash crop. The Mandaya family structure is traditionally
paternalistic with the father seen as the head of the family and the sole provider of the family. The
mother, in turn, takes care of all household chores, while simultaneously, looking after her husband's
and children's needs; it's also her role to rear the children in accordance to tribal practices. Major
decisions are made jointly. Also, Mandaya parents undertake the role of preserving and handing down
ancestral heritage onto their children.

Aesthetics and the arts rank high among the Mandaya; their metalsmiths excel in fashioning exquisite
silver and brass ornamental items (much owed to their contact with Muslim groups), as well as,
weaponry. Examples include the balladaw (steel dagger), kakala (bolo), likod-likod (single-bladed
kakana), and wasay (ax for cutting wood or for self-defense). Mandaya jewelry, on the other hand, are
fashioned at home pending the availability of material(s). Jewelry is used as a measure of one's socio-
economic status among the Mandaya women; no young Mandaya woman, single or married ventures
out without donning a piece of jewelry. Oft times, silver was used for fashioning jewelry; brass, in the
form of brass casting, was copied from the Muslims. Music is also an important component of their
culture, oft times incorporating various musical instruments and dances in their celebrations and rituals.
Mandaya riddles and proverbs were often retold as folk songs that reflected the people's collective
attitude towards life and the world. Two such examples (that have remained within the native
repertoire) are the oyog-oyog (lullaby) and the bayok (love and adventure songs). Mandaya costume
motifs were characterized by block designs, line patterns, rickracks, scrolls, curvilinear motifs, and
diamond crosses; sometimes, incorporating a crocodile motif done at various levels of abstraction.

http://www.ethnicgroupsphilippines.com/2012/04/22/the-mandaya-people/

Introduction / History

The name means "the people who live upriver". They are also considered to belong to the Manobo
group. They stand out among the others because of their sharp Spanish features. They are generally
good looking and known to be peace-loving and honorable people. The "Christianized" portion of the
Mandayas are considered to be the original "Dabawenos".

Their house is a poorly constructed one-room hut. Clothes and tools can be found hanging from the
rafters. They lavishly use gold as adornments. The design depicts the people's folklore. Children are
matched for marriage by their parents quite young. Men are allowed to have more than one wife but
the women must have only one husband. A "bagani" (datu) with his "Likid" (advisory council) heads the
tribe. An adjutant is tasked to make the announcements and summons.

Like other tribes they also rely on Kaingin/slash and burn farming for livelihood.

They are not politically cohesive and have integrated much with the non-tribal people.
What Are Their Beliefs?

They celebrate festivals to invite "diwatas" or spirits and ask for good health and healing for those who
are sick. They use an assortment of bamboo musical instruments. The dead are buried with the coffin
upright along with some food for the "journey".

Their religion is animistic, believing in anitos, but they consider "Magbabayo" (God) as the Supreme
Being. A festival for Tagbanwa (the owner of the land) is made every harvest season for thanksgiving. A
carved image of this deity can also be found in their homes. Women priestesses (Bailans) mediate
during the rituals.

Missionary activity started way back in the sixteenth century by the Jesuits and Augustinian Recollects.
Many Mandayas in the Caraga Region were baptized. However, observers say that even "Christianized"
Mandayas still adhere to their traditional ways.

https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/14722/RP

https://www.slideshare.net/deiibeiineii/mandaya-ethnic-tribe
 Mandaya Ethnic Tribe (Grade 9)

This is the Mandaya Ethnic Group. The name means "the people who live upriver".
They are also considered to belong to the Manobo group. the Mandaya are found
throughout Davao Oriental and Davao del Norte, Mindanao. They stand out among the
others because of their sharp Spanish features. They are generally good looking and
known to be peace-loving and honorable people. The "Christianized" portion of the
Mandayas are considered to be the original "Dabawenos”. Their house is a poorly
constructed one-room hut. Clothes and tools can be found hanging from the rafters.
They lavishly use gold as adornments. The design depicts the people's folklore.
Children are matched for marriage by their parents quite young. Men are allowed to
have more than one wife, but the women must have only one husband. A "bagani" (datu)
with his "Likid" (advisory council) heads the tribe. An adjutant is tasked to make the
announcements and summons. Agriculture is the main source of living. Rice, tubers,
and other cultigens are cultivated in pawa (swidden) farming) along with bananas,
vegetables and root crops. Hunting for wild pig, deer, chicken, monkeys, lizards, birds
and other animals complement farming. At an early age, children are taught how to
hunt using spears and traps. The Mandaya are freshwater fishing experts. Individual,
family and cooperative fishing are done using several methods like traps, stun rods,
draining, spearing and also bare hands. Environmental destruction and degradation
together with rapid urbanization have drastically reduced hunting and fishing.

They are not politically cohesive and have integrated much with the non-tribal people.
They celebrate festivals to invite "diwatas" or spirits and ask for good health and healing
for those who are sick. They use an assortment of bamboo musical instruments. The
dead are buried with the coffin upright along with some food for the "journey".

Their religion is animistic, believing in anitos, but they consider "Magbabayo" (God) as
the Supreme Being. A festival for Tagbanwa (the owner of the land) is made every
harvest season for thanksgiving. A carved image of this deity can also be found in their
homes. Women priestesses (Bailans) mediate during the rituals.

Missionary activity started way back in the sixteenth century by the Jesuits and
Augustinian Recollects. Many Mandayas in the Caraga Region were baptized. However,
observers say that even "Christianized" Mandayas still adhere to their traditional ways.