The Lesser Known Banwaon People

BANWAON TRIBE
(Also known as: Adgawanon, Banuaonon, Banwanon,
Higaonon-Banwaon, Manobo)

Location:

The landlocked province of Agusan del Sur, located on the eastern

side of Mindanao, is home to the indigenous tribe known as the Banwaon
people.

The Banwaon tribe can be found in Agusan Del Sur, San Luis, near
Maasam, Libang, and Adgawan Rivers. It is also the second largest group in the
area.

The Banwaons live among four other indigenous peoples in the region,
namely, the Higaonon, Mamanwas, Talaandig, and Manobo.

Their name literally means mountain people and they subsequently inhabit
the forests of Agusan Del Sur. They are traditionally nomadic but they were forced
to settle because of the onslaught of civilization.

Also known as Adgawanon or Banwanon, the Banwaons derived their name

from the word banwa meaning "home."
Population:

The Banwaons are recognized as among the largest tribe in

Agusan del Sur, with their population numbering 12,000 in 2006.

Language/ Dialect:

They are fluent speakers of the dominant Cebuano language and considered
to be related to the Manobo ethnic group.

Their Primary Language is “AGUSAN-MANOBO”

 Madojow now aedow- DAYTIME GREETING

 Andei ka man kapuun? GREETING SPOKEN TO A
PERSON ARRIVING

Where are you coming from?

 Andei ka man? GREETING SPOEKN TO A PERSON

ARRIVING
Where are you going?
 Ande ka ogdeg? GREETING SPOKEN TO A PERSON
SOMEWHERE
Where are you going?
 Duon da REPLY TO ANDEI KA MAN KAPUUN,
ANDEI KA MAN, ANDE KA OGDEG
Means of Living:

The typical Banwaon household includes extended family members, which

is characteristic of the tribe's close-knit family ties.

Agriculture is their top source of livelihood, but they are

knowledgeable in farming and fishing as well.

Political and Social Structure:

The Banwa-on take their indigenous religious beliefs and practices very
seriously. They practice both day-to-day rituals, such as farming and hunting
rituals, as well as their tulumanon, or major ritual obligations. In the more
accessible. Later on, Banwa-on have converted to Catholicism, but continue to
practice indigenous rituals.

Each village has one or more (male) datu or leaders, who settle conflicts,
negotiate and formalize marriages, and provide guidance to the sakup or
community members. Other traditional roles like the panod and katangkawan
remain relevant.

In addition, Banwa-on participate in local government elections, which

male non-datus now tend to win. Elective officials and datus coexist in many
villages, though most day-to-day

problems tend to be referred to the latter.

In each village are one or more extended families, built up from a nuclear
family, and its female children’s in-marrying husbands. The social structure is
bilateral and patriarchal, with the male head of extended families having
influence over his children and sons-inlaw. Kinship bonds are strong, but
exposure to bisaya culture has eroded practices like polygyny (duway) and
arranged marriages (boya).

Religion:

Their Primary Religion is ethnic religion.

Culture and Tradition:

Up to the present time, the Datu remains central to everyday life, and rituals
are still observed to appease their gods. Traditionally, ceremonial offerings, such
as pigs or chickens, are essential. Among the sacred ceremony of the Banwaons is
tud-om, which is a succession of sacred verses that is instituted not only during
harvest or thanksgiving but also during community or tribal conflicts and in
establishing a new chieftain.

Their tribes also exhibit a strong oral tradition. The Banwaons have stories
depicting war and heroes passed on orally. This includes tud-om, which is a series
of sacred verses which can be done to ask for blessings, peace, and institution of
new chieftain, thanksgiving, and a prayer for the departed.

LIMBAY

- The song speeches daesang of the Banwaon

KARATUNG

- An instrument
BUDYUNG
- Is usually made out of a big deal
 The typical Banwaon household includes extended family members, which
is characteristic of the tribe's close-knit family ties. Agriculture is their top source
of livelihood, but they are knowledgeable in farming and fishing as well. Despite
living in modern times, the Banwaons strive to keep their culture and traditions
unscathed. For instance, they have numerous tales of war and heroes that have
been orally passed down and survive to this day.

Up to the present time, the Datu remains central to everyday life, and rituals
are still observed to appease their gods. Traditionally, ceremonial offerings, such
as pigs or chickens, are essential. Among the sacred ceremony of the Banwaons is
tud-om, which is a succession of sacred verses that is instituted not only during
harvest or thanksgiving but also during community or tribal conflicts and in
establishing a new chieftain.

Historically, the Banwaons continuously clashed with the neighboring

Higaonons due to differences concerning domain or property. These tribal disputes
led to intermarriages between the Higaonons and Banwaons, as the respective
Datus were allowed to marry women from the other tribe to settle the conflicts.
This increases the Datus' influence of power as well as affiliation to the other
ethnic group. Today, the Higaonon–Banwaon tribe is the second largest cultural
community in Agusan del Sur. Their population is densest in the municipality of
Esperanza and extends up to the borders of Bukidnon and Misamis Oriental.
 Lately, the Banwaon people have been a subject of discussion, as they have
been displaced due to a conflict in their ancestral land. Most of them live in the
impoverished areas of Agusan del Sur with no access to basic services, such as
education. Most children have to endure kilometers of walking just to reach the
town centers where the schools are situated.

Similar to other indigenous peoples in Mindanao, they continue to cope with

the changes in their environment that could likely threaten the preservation of their
culture and tradition. Nonetheless, a handful of organizations have tried to extend
aid to the Banwaons to help them further withstand these changes while retaining
their cultural identity.