CASE STUDY

A STUDY OF AN INDIGENOUS CULTURE; MANOBO

Rashel Keith Badol Grade 12-ABM

Summary
Indigenous people have a private life, but we’ll identify and get to know them as part of
this research.
This study of indigenous culture will aid us in comprehending the various beliefs, 
traditions, religions, organizations, and so on that they have, particularly among the 
Manobo.

Introduction
Learning about various cultures allows us to gain a better understanding of the world we
live in. It helps in the breakdown of negative preconceptions and personal biases
towards other communities. In terms of ties and names of the many group that belong to
this family of languages, the Manobo are arguably the most numerous of the ethnic
groups in the Philippines. The Philippine’s island of Mindanao was home to a variety of
ethnic groups.

Methodology
A short questionnaire was designed to ascertain the participants’ beliefs, traditions,
culture, and so on. This questionnaire is formed by this question that is sent to a
Manobo friend of mine through chat messages online.
1. How are you going to describe and identify your life in terms of:
 Social organizations
 Language
 Religion
 Arts and literature
 Economic systems
 Values, beliefs and tradition
Study
Manobo is usually known as a traditional tribe since the way they live is traditional. They
inhabit the islands of Mindanao and plays a significant role in there. Because their
cultural identity is firmly established in the land and its ecology, they serve as guardians
of our precious forest.
 I. Social Organizations
Their traditional social structure consists of four classes which are identified as Bagani,
Baylan, Commoner, and Slave. 
Bagani is defined as a warrior who defended the community and went to the battle, and
they are considered gone. The Baylan is a male or female priest and healer which can
be still be found today. The Commoners were farmers; and the Slaves, who had been
seized in raids, belonged to the ruler and were usually given away as part of the bride
wealth.
II. Language
According to the surveys conducted by the Summer Institute of Linguistics, at least
nineteen Manobo languages and major dialects are spoken. The Manobo cluster
includes eight groups: the Cotabato Manobo, Agusan Manobo, Dibabawon Manobo,
Matig Salug Manobo, Sarangani Manobo, Manobo of Western Bukidnon, Obo Manobo,
and Tagabawa Manobo. The groups are often connected by name with either political
divisions or landforms. 
III. Religion
Manobo has a unique religion to begin with. The Manobo's religious beliefs center on
the idea of many unseen spirits interfering in people's lives. They think that these spirits
have the ability to intrude on human actions in order to achieve their goals. Human
qualities are also thought to exist in the spirits. They may elicit both rage and pleasure,
and they are both good and wicked.
While the Manobo's religious traditions differ widely, there appears to be one common
thread that connects them all. Each culture worships a single "great spirit," who is
frequently regarded as the creator figure.
IV. Arts and Literature
Manobo are well-known for their intricate casting and weaving. The Ubo fashion fine
weaponry and jewelry that they believe possess souls, making it harder for the maker to
part with them. In terms of literary, the Manobo have Atukon, riddles; Panonggelengan,
proverbs; Panumanon, folktales, fables, and humorous tales; Ituan, myths and legends;
and Owaging, epics. Narrative poems and lyric poems are generally also ritual songs
addressed to gods.
V. Economic Systems
Manobo are known for their skills in hunting and farming which they depend on it to live.
Their economy revolves around trading, hunting and farming and it has been influenced
a bit by other tribes which makes it civilized.
 VI. Values, Beliefs and Tradition
The Manobo are both strong in mind and spirit, their cultural identity is firmly rooted in
the land and its nature. It is maintained through storytelling, language, family and the
passing on of traditional skills and arts.
They do believe in gods and goddesses or spirits. Their gods and godesses are named
Pamulak Manobo, the creator of everything; Tuglay and Tuglibon, they are classified as
assistants to Pamulak Manobo and were responsible for the births, marriages,
language, and customs of the tribe; Lumabat, was a hunter, and his sister, Mebuyan as
an ugly deity who decided to go down below the earth where she now rules a place
called Banua Mebu’yan; The Manobos also believed in a supreme god–Tagbusan. This
highest-ranking deity “ruled over the destiny of both gods and men.” 
They are also allowed to do polygamy marriage and arranged marriage and the elders
in the groom's family decide whether a bride is acceptable. A proposal is then sent to
the paternal uncle for the marriage. The bride-to-be's family then asks for the bride
wealth, which could be paid with money, land, animals, or precious stones.
They are sensitive persons so belittling and claiming a war against them is dangerous
since they have the power to arrest you and ask you for a fine.

Conclusions
3. Manobo really has different stories, traditions, beliefs and culture behind their
sleeves. And throughout this study, we have been taught and reminded about
how they live and what are the things that they believe. They are the living model
of loving the nature and living a simple life but with happiness.

2. Their religious beliefs amaze me and it brings a different interest to me to know

more about them

1. Because of this research, I am reminded and I have realized that we should

really study each other’s culture in order for us to gain knowledge about their way
of living, their beliefs, traditions, and their importance to our community. In that
way, we are able to see the value of everyone despite the differences that we
have so that we can promote unity among diversity.