The

Mangyan
of
Mindoro
The Mangyan of Mindoro
Mangyan is the collective name of eight
ethnolinguistic groups who inhabit the
highland region of Mindoro.

Northern Tribe Southern Tribe

● Iraya ● Bangon
● Alangan ● Buhid
● Tadyawan ● Hanunoo
● Tau-Buid ● Ratagnon
The Mangyan of Mindoro
The Mangyans were once the They moved inland into the
only inhabitants of Mindoro and mountains to avoid the influx
were originally coastal dwellers. and influence of foreign settlers.

The Mangyan settled along the

shores of Mindoro island Today, the Mangyans live
approximately 600-700 years secludedly in remote parts
ago. of Mindoro.
 The The Southern tribes are more
advanced as seen in their use of

Mangyan weaving, pottery and system of

writing

of
The Northern tribes have simpler
Mindoro way of living and they are strict
in the preservation of tradition
and practices.
The Alangan
Mangyan
The Alangan Mangyan
Most of Alangan Mangyans are
living at the foot of Mt. Halcon.
Specifically, they live near the
riverbank of the Alangan River.

The Alangan river is located

between the mountainous terrain
of Oriental and Occidental
Mindoro.
 The Alangan Mangyan
Alangan is the name of the river where this group lives and they
are often called “taga Alangan” or from the Alangan.

According to Historians, the name Alangan means “in

between” due to the location of the river.

Alangan is from the root word “alang” or a tree trunk used

as a bridge in the river where they live.
The Alangan Mangyan
Men’s Clothing
● bahag/ abay- breechcloth made
from the bark of the tree
Women’s Clothing
● lingeb- skirt made from nito vine
● abayen - skirt made from the
bark of the barokan tree
● ulango - upper covering made
from the leaf of the wild buri
palm.
● Limbutong- red kerchief worn
over ulango.
Nito Vine
Buri Palm
 The Alangan Mangyan
Balaylakoy – the Alangan tribe’s The Alangan Mangyan relies
traditional house which is home to 20 mainly on upland farming and
– 50 families and led by the kuyay. It
swidden agriculture for
also features a “poypoyan”.
subsistence.

The area that was already They believe that the place
used for swidden farming will where somebody has died
be left for 5 – 10 years. should not be cleared for
farming.
Balaylakoy
 The Alangan Mangyan
The “poypoyan” or a fireplace
at the center of the house is
an important part of the
Balaylakoy.
Pamago- it is the
thanksgiving ritual for
good harvest.
Alangan’s Political Structure
● Tanungan- tribe leader
● Nayon- the community
leader
● Bokal/ Konsehal- administers
punishments for breaches of
customary laws.
The Hanunoo
Mangyan
The Hanunuo Mangyan
The Hanunuo/ Hanunoo is the
largest group of the Mangyan
who dwell in Bulalacao,
Mansalay, and some parts of
Bongabong, all in Oriental
Mindoro, and in San Jose in
Occidental Mindoro.
The Hanunuo Mangyan
● Hanunuo means “truly”, “real”, or
“genuine”.
● They are considered as the
“artisans of the Mangyans”.
● Surat Hanunuo Mangyan is their
traditional writing system, while
the language is “Mangyan”.
 The Hanunuo Mangyan
Traditional Clothing

Men
• Ba-ag - loincloth
• Balukas - shirt

Women
• Lambung - blouse
• Ramit – knee length skirt
 The Hanunuo Mangyan
Habilan – the weaving process of the
Hanunuo that allowed them to produce
intricately designed and expertly executed
woven cotton goods.

Pakudos – a design or pattern that the

Hanunuo embroider on their clothes,
fabrics and other things. This is a
symmetrical, cross-shaped symbol that
means protection.
 The Hanunuo Mangyan
Gurangan (elder or leader) As artisans, the most skilled in
and Talaghusay (tribe healer) crafts and tasks are
often oversee the group and considered as a respectable
they were seek for advice. member of the tribe.

Kutkot is a ritual where they Their main source of livelihood

dig up the remains of their is agriculture and keeping
dead loved one a year after livestock. They also sell crafts
his or her death. such as baskets, and fabrics.
The Hanunuo Mangyan
 The Ambahan The Ambahan is a poem with
significant social functions in the
community – used in courting,
of the Hanunuo parenting, welcoming a visitor, etc.

Mangyan The Ambahan poems contain topics

like friendship, marriage, sickness, work,
healing and others. They are often
chanted according to life cycle.

The Ambahan poems are written using

the Surat Hanunuo Mangyan and they
carve these in bamboo using a sharp
metal tool.