The Aeta: The First Philippine People making use of ornaments as accessories and have

ensembles of instruments to create melodious rhythms.

The Aetas, pronounced as “eye-tas,” are among the
earliest known migrants or inhabitants of the Philippines. Colonial resistance and unfortunate displacement
Over the years, the majority of their population managed
Because they are usually scattered in mountainous areas,
to keep their cultural practices and traditions. But sadly, as
the Spaniards had a hard time introducing Catholicism to
one of the indigenous groups thriving in the country, they
their population. They mostly resisted to change, which
also face challenges such as displacement, marginalization,
made it difficult for the Spanish to colonize their areas. This
and poverty.
is also one of the reasons why they were able to preserve
The history of the Aetas their cultural traditions and beliefs through to today.

According to historians, the Aetas (also known as Agtas) Most Aetas can be found in the northern part of Luzon.
are Australo-Melanesians. Historical accounts suggest that According to historical accounts, they have lived near
they’re of the same group as those of Aborigines in Mount Pinatubo in Zambales for thousands of years. But,
Australia and Melanesians of Solomon Islands. While they when Mount Pinatubo erupted in 1991, it devastated the
closely resemble physical characteristics such as curly hair Aeta population. The majority lost their homes while some
and dark colored skin, it is not clear as to how they arrived re-settled in urban areas. This gave way to Aetas being
in the Philippines. modernly influenced by prevailing Filipino culture and
practices. Some Aetas have already married Filipinos. Most
Most historians point to the Bering Land Bridge Theory to
Aetas also go to school nowadays.
explain the history of the Aetas. This theory suggests that
the Aetas reached the Philippines because of the land Challenges today
bridges or narrow strait that connected all land masses in
In the Philippines, Aetas as well as other indigenous
the world. According to this theory, hunters at the time
groups, belong to the marginalized sector of the country.
crossed these land bridges but due to the movement of
They’re often displaced because their homelands have
plates underneath the Earth’s surface, these migration
been destroyed due to illegal logging, mining, and slash-
paths eventually disappeared. Therefore, even those with
and-burn farming. Thus, these situations have forced them
no intent to colonize new lands, were unable to return to
to relocate and leave their ancestral lands.
their original homes.
While the Philippine government has implemented
Their distinguishing characteristics and practices
mandates and acts such as the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights
Aetas are characterized by their skin color, height, and hair Act of 1997, it’s not enough to protect them and help them
type. They mostly have dark to dark-brown skin, curly hair, cope with matters such as access to jobs and livelihood
and are usually below five-feet tall. Traditionally, Aetas are support.
hunting and gathering indigenous people. They’re actually
among the most skilled when it comes to jungle survival –
they are even able to make use of plants as herbal
medicine and possess tools and weapons. While they’re
nomadic, they are able to build temporary houses made of
sticks.

Most Aetas practice monotheism and are animists. They

worship a Supreme Being and at the same time, also
believe in environmental spirits. They believe that various
places in our environment are being governed by both
good and evil spirits.

As for their clothing, they wear plain and simple attire.

Traditional Aetas, who are skilled in weaving and plating,
wear wrap around skirts or bark cloth (for women) and loin
cloths for men. They are also into music and the arts –