The Mandaya

People of
Mindanao
THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE UPRIVER

DONOVAN JOSHUA O. HOLLANDA

 The Mandaya are among the most
intricate tribal cultures in the
Philippines. Despite the critisicm of
mainstream Filipinos for adhering
to their old animist ways, they were
deemed as the "greatest" tribe in the
Eastern Mindanao.

THE MANDAYA PEOPLE OF MINDANAO

 Mandaya History
The Mandayas are a peace-loving yet audacious ethnic group who positively
impacted the Philippine History in the south but faded into obscurity as they began to
fluorish.

After the province of Davao was established in 1849, descendants of the Mandaya
rose to power as renowned politicians. At this point, however, they were not known
as Mandaya but were called 'Davawenyo'. The Davawenyos were Mandayas who
were Christianized and acculturated.

To this day, many Mandayas refer to themselves as Davawenyo instead of 'Mandaya',

which is now used as a derogatory term that means "uneducated people from the hills".

THE MANDAYA PEOPLE OF MINDANAO

 Mandaya Culture
The Mandaya embodies sophistication in tribal Philippine culture. While tribal
designs can be too busy and all over the place, the Mandaya observes an elegant
discipline in their intricate designs. Weaving is a craft that the Mandaya are excellent
at.

Sophistication of Mandaya culture is most evident in their native clothing, especially

those worn by women. Much like how American men wear neckties in black suits,
Mandaya women wear a beaded breastpiece (balyog) over a plain red bodice. The
native Mandaya skirt is made from an intricately woven abaca fabric called dagmay.
Jewelry (payatina) adorn Mandaya costume without overwhelming the overall attire,
but rather complementing the clothes.

THE MANDAYA PEOPLE OF MINDANAO

Payatina Mandaya Woman Woven fabric used for Mandaya
traditional clothing

THE MANDAYA PEOPLE OF MINDANAO

 Mandaya Religion
Mandaya beliefs revolve around nature spirits (diwata), both good and bad. In
contrast to the Christian belief that sets evil as absolute archenemy to one's faith and
morality, the Mandaya believed that evil spirits can be appeased and made amicable.
This appeasement the Mandaya do through rituals, offerings and sacrifices. The
Mandaya embrace evil if it meant making it good.

Indeed, in the Mandaya worldview and tradition, God is the source of both good and
evil. The ultimate and absolute deity for the Mandaya is an infinite reality, spread
throughout the immensity of the world, who designed and governs the order of the
universe, from the cycle of the sun, the moon, the tide and everything else. This God
the Mandaya calls by the name Magbabaya, literally means "Governor".

THE MANDAYA PEOPLE OF MINDANAO

THANK YOU!!!!!

DONOVAN JOSHUA O. HOLLANDA