GEE 114- Philippine Indigenous Communities

Topic: Introduction to the Philippine Indigenous Communities

Learning outcomes:

At the end of this chapter, we shall be able to:

1. To familiarize students with the different ethnic or indigenous group in the

Philippines
2. To identify the different geographical Location of the indigenous people of the
Philippines

Discussion

Introduction to the Philippine Indigenous Communities

The Philippines consist of a large number of living in the country. They are the
indigenous ethnic groups descendants of the original inhabitants of the Philippines. They
were not absorbed by centuries of Spanish and United States colonization of the Philippines
archipelago, and in the process have retained their customs and traditions.

Father of Cultural Anthropology

Henry Otley Beyer was an American anthropologist, who spent

most of his adult life in the Philippines teaching Philippine
indigenous culture. He is known as the Father of Philippine
Anthropology. Eventually, his theory became known as the Wave
Migration Theory, which suggested that humans arrived in the
Philippines in migratory waves. Eventually, according to Beyer, the Malays were the
civilisation that laid claim to the islands and became the dominant group ahead of the settling
of the Spanish in the 1500s.
ETHNIC GROUP

Ethnicity is a socially grown collective identity, which assumes a common history and
origin as well as shared traditions, and claims to define a culture as different from (all) others.

CULTURAL GROUP

Most anthropologists would define culture as the shared set of (implicit and explicit) values,
ideas, concepts, and rules of behavior that allow a social group to function and perpetuate
itself.

DEMOGRAPHIES

In the 1990s, there were more than 100 highland tribal groups constituting approximately
3% of the population. The upland tribal groups were a blend in ethnic origin like other
lowland Filipinos, although they did not have contact with the outside world.

Culture and Arts

They displayed a variety of social organization, cultural expression and artistic skills. They
showed a high degree of creativity, usually employed to embellish utilitarian objects, such as
bowls, baskets. clothing, weapons and spoons. The tribal groups of the Philippines are known
for their carved wooden figures, baskets, weaving, pottery and weapons.

Who are indigenous peoples?

According to the United Nations, there are approximately 400 million Indigenous people
worldwide, making up more than 5,000 distinct tribes. Together we are one of the largest
minority groups in the world, spanning over 90 countries. While Indigenous Peoples total
only about 6% of the world's population, we represent 90% of the cultural diversity.

RA 8371: The Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA)

Some ten million people or 15% of the Philippine population belong to distinct indigenous
communities or cultures and retain a close link with their traditions. To honor their identities,
the Indigenous Peoples' Rights Act (IPRA) was passed on October 29, 1997. This law
recognized the ancestral land rights of the indigenous people. This law also creates the
National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) an office under the Office of the
President and shall be the primary government agency responsible for the formulation and
implementation of policies, plans and programs recognize, protect and promote the rights of
Indigenous Cultural to Communities/Indigenous Peoples.
 The Indigenous Peoples' Rights Act (IPRA) is modeled on the provisions of the UN Draft
Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

The Austronesian-speaking peoples are various populations in Southeast Asia and Oceania
that speak languages of the Austronesian family. They include Taiwanese aborigines; the
majority ethnic groups of Malaysia, East Timor, the Philippines, Indonesia, Brunei,
Madagascar, Micronesia, and Polynesia, as well as the Polynesian peoples of New Zealand
and Hawaii, and the non-Papuan people of Melanesia.

Indigenous People in the Philippines

Indigenous People of Luzon

Igorot- Cultural elements common to the Igorot peoples as a whole include metalworking in
iron and brass, weaving, and animal sacrifice. They believe in spirits, including those of
ancestors, and have complex rituals to propitiate them.

Botoc Tribe- The Bontok are located in the steep gorge country of the upper Chico River
system in Central Mountain Province of northern Luzon, the Philippines.

Ifugao- Ifugao culture revolves around rice, which is considered a prestige crop. There is an
elaborate and complex array of rice culture feasts inextricably linked with taboos and
intricate agricultural rites, from rice cultivation to rice consumption.

Kalinga: Head Hunting - The Kalinga have rich cultural traditions and expressions of
music, dance and artisan work. They continue to enforce the "bodong" or peace pacts within
the sub-tribes to resolve tribal conflicts. Scholars and enthusiasts worldwide now flock to the
province to learn the ancient method of "batok" or hand-tapped tattoo.

Ibaloi - Ibaloi society is composed of the rich (baknang) and three poor classes, the
cowhands (pastol), farmhands (silbi), and non-Ibaloi slaves (bagaen). The Ibaloi have a rich
material culture, most notably their mummification process, which makes use of saltwater to
prevent organ decomposition.

The Ibaloi are an indigenous ethnic group found in Benguet Province of the northern
Philippines.

Sagada - The townspeople believe that the dead should get out of the world the same way
they got in, by doing so, the deceased will have a complete peace. Sagada is from bontoc, the
provincial capital.

Tradition: Pre-burial rites begin when the old man is on his dying stage, animal sacrifices will
be performed together with chants and prayers for the dying person.
Pugot N. Apayao - Apayao, officially the Province of Apayao is a landlocked province in the
Philippines in the Cordillera Administrative Region in Luzon.

Tradition dancing, feasting on food, and chanting among the community people. These
ceremonies are described for their purposes in general.

Apayao Isnag- The Isnag people are an Austronesian ethnic group native to Apayao
Province in the Philippines' Cordillera Administrative Region. Their native language is Isneg
although most Isnag also speak Ilokano. The Isneg, also Isnag or Apayao, live at the
northwesterly end of northern Luzon, in the upper half of the Cordillera province of Apayao.

Tradition: spirit-filled for they believe in spiritual powers of all sorts.

Gaddang - comes from the word ga meaning "heat" and dang meaning "burned". Gaddang
tribe is one of the settlers of the province of nueva vizcaya. Leadership is achieved based on
bravery,skills, wealth, and usually in association with the status of mingal or great warrior.
Unique culture involving beads and precious stones. Farming and hunting is the source of
living.

Ilongot- The Sierra Madre is the longest mountain range in the Spanning over 540 kilometer
(340 mi). "Ilongot" or " Ilungot" comes from the prefix i, denoting "people" and gongot or
longot, means "forest" thus the word means " people of the forest". Swidden is traditionally
the Ilongots primary means of food production. They also known as love arts, nature and
culture

Remontados- Sierra Madre of The Remondatos

They derive their name from the Spanish verb "remontar", meaning, "to flee to the hills", "to
frighten away" or "go back to the mountains". These indigenous peoples (IPs) are said to be
the descendants of lowlanders who opted to live in the mountains to avoid subjugation by the
Spaniards. The Sierra Madre Occidental is a mountain range in northern Mexico that
stretches over 1,000 miles from the state of Chihuahua to Nayarit. The region is home to
several indigenous communities, including the Tarahumara, also known as the Raramuri.

Aeta of Zambales - the indigenous people the largest and the purest in type of aetas are
found in Zambales the people are considered to be Negritos, whose skin ranges from dark to
very dark brown, and possessing features such as a small stature and frame; hair of a curly to
kinky texture and a higher frequency of naturally lighter colour (blondism) relative to the
general population, small nose, and dark brown eyes. Marriage agree by the parents and they
love also musical instrument composed of bolongodyong,palayi, and guitar and mostly songs
played are in their own composition.Agriculture and hunting using spear, bow and arrow are
used in hunting.
Ata of Pampanga - The Aetas, pronounced as "eye-tas," are among the earliest known
migrants or inhabitants of the Philippines. Over the years, the majority of their population
managed to keep their cultural practices and traditions. But sadly, as one of the indigenous
groups thriving in the country, they also face challenges such as displacement,
marginalization, and poverty. (Arbues, Lilia R. 1960. "The Negritos as a Minority Group in
the Philippines." Philippine Sociological Review 3 (January-April): 39-46.)

Ivatan of Batanes - The Ivatan people are an Austronesian ethnolinguistic group native to
the Batanes and Babuyan Islands of the northernmost Philippines. They are genetically
closely-related to other ethnic groups in Northern Luzon, but also share close linguistic and
cultural affinities to the Tao people of Orchid Island in Taiwan. (Carpintero, Rafael. 1983.
"The Lure of Batanes." Life Today 39 (2): 24-26)

Tagbanwa Palawan- The Tagbanwa people (Tagbanwa:) are one of the oldest ethnic groups
in the Philippines, and can be mainly found in the central and northern Palawan. Research has
shown that the Tagbanwa are possible descendants of the Tabon Man, thus making them one
of the original inhabitants of the Philippines. [2] They are a brown-skinned, slim, and
straight-haired ethnic group. (The Tagbanua Tribe. Accessed August 28, 2008)

Batak people - The Batak practice a form of tribal religion under the umbrella of animism,
which is the belief that plants, animals, and other inanimate objects (such as stones, rivers,
and even weather) are fully alive and in possession of a spirit (LeBar, Frank M. (1977).
Insular Southeast Asia: Philippines. 2 v. Human Relations Area Files, p. 260. Retrieved 7
June 2017)

Mangyan tribe culture - Mangyan is the generic name for the eight indigenous groups found
on the island of Mindoro, southwest of the island of Luzon, the Philippines, each with its own
tribal name, language, and customs. The total population maybe around 280,000, but official
statistics are difficult to determine under the conditions of remote areas, reclusive tribal
groups and some having little if any outside world contact..( MNL OP INC sep. 19, 2019)
Indigenous People of Visayas

The Magahat Bukidnon of Negros

Community of Negros is known for their unique culture, which includes their traditional
music, dance, and craftsmanship. They have a strong sense of community and value their
close relationships with family and neighbors. The Magahat Bukidnon have a deep respect
for nature and the environment, and they rely on sustainable farming and hunting practices to
sustain their way of life. Their culture also includes a belief in ancestral spirits and
supernatural entities.
Aeta Community Boracay

The Aetas community in Boracay is known for their unique culture, which includes their
traditional music, dance, and crafts. They be have a strong sense of community and value
their close relationships with family and neighbors. The daily living of the Aetas community
in Boracay revolves around their traditional way of life, which involves farming, hunting, and
gathering.

Sulodnon Tribe of Panay

The Sulodnon tribe of Panay is known for their rich cultural traditions, which include their
unique language, music, dance, and craftsmanship. They have a deep respect for nature and
the environment, and they rely on sustainable farming and hunting practices to sustain their
way of life. The Sulodnon have a strong belief in ancestral spirits and engage in traditional
rituals and ceremonies to honor them. They also have a rich oral tradition, with stories passed
down from generation to generation through songs, dances, and other forms of storytelling.

The Suludnon tribe generally practice biodiversity-based farming systems to ensure

availability of food and income throughout the year.

Eskaya People Bohol

The Eskaya, less commonly known as the Visayan-Eskaya, The Eskaya is an indigenous tribe
found in the hinterlands of the towns of Duero, Guindulman, Pilar and Sierra Bullones,
Bohol's southeast interior, which is distinguished by its cultural heritage, particularly its
literature, language, dress and religious observances.

Karay - a, Kinaray-a, or Hiniray-a is derived from iraya meaning "upstream," ka, meaning
"companion," with infixation in, meaning "to have undergone something." Karay-a refers to
the ethnolinguistic group predominantly located on Panay island in Western Visayas. The
Karay-a, are an ethnolinguistic group who inhabited the islands of Panay and Palawan.

The Karay-a population is concentrated in the province of Antique, which stretches vertically
along the entire western coast of Panay island, bounded by the Cuyo East Pass, which is a
part of the West Philippine Sea.

Indigenous People of Mindanao

Yakan Tribe -The word Yakan means "Dayak Origin," as they are believed to be
descendants of the Orang Dyaks or Tagihamas of eastern Indonesia.

-The Yakan have a traditional horse culture. They are renowned for their weaving traditions.
Culturally, they are Sama people who eventually led a life on land, mostly in Basilan and
Zamboanga city. The Yakans' chief means of livelihood is farming, and they usually cultivate
upland rice.

B'laan - The Blaan people, are one of the indigenous peoples of Southern Mindanao in the
Philippines. Their name could have derived from "bla" meaning "opponent" and the suffix
"an" meaning "people". According to a 2021 genetic study, the Blaan people also have
Papuan admixture. The Blaan Tribe are one of the indigenous people (IP) living in Southern
Mindanao. They have their own traditional dance and music, colorful tribal wear and
weaving tradition similar to the Tboli. The product of their weaving is called Tabih (Tboli
call it T'nalak) and they have their own dreamweavers too. The people of the Blaan tribe live
a frugal and hard life, every day they have to prepare food for the household, get their
children ready for school, take care of the livestock and once more will work on the land that
they have cultivated and harvested for generations.

Bagobo - The bagobo are proud people with proto Malayan features they have ornate
traditions in weaponry and other metal arts they are noted for their skills in producing bass
articles thorough ancient lost-wax process

Mandaya - The mandayas are a group of non christian tribe non- islamie people living in
eastern to generation to generation the art of weaving cloth from the fibers of abaca plant,
colored with not and mud diyes with intricate figures and Pattens depicting the folklore and
religion of the tribe.

Pulangiyen - Living in the pulangi river headwaters in the southern part of bukidnon, the
pulangiyen is one of the many indigenous natives of the province.

Matigsalug - matigsalug are the bukidnon groups who are found in the tigwa-salug valley in
San Fernando bukidnon. Matigsalug is a term which means " people along the river salug".

SAMAL- samal are the poorest and least independent of the major Muslim groups. They
serve as the "loyal commoners" in the hierarchy of Muslim minorities there lives are literally
over the sea where the villages stands on stilts above the coastal waters.

Badjao - The people of the Badjao tribe are a nomadic sea faring tribe. The men of the tribe
are skilled fishermen specifically the art of pantana fishing (spear fishing). They traditionally
lived on house boats moving through the sea wherever was needed, to fulfil their fishing
requirements.

Tausog - Tausog or suluk are an ethnic group of the Philippines and Malaysia. A small
population can also be found in the northern part of north Kalimantan, Indonesia. The tausog
are part of the wider political identity of Muslims of Mindanao, Sulu and palawan. Most of
the tausog have now more known as the more group, who constitute the third largest ethnic
group of Mindanao, Sulu and palawan the tausugs originally had an independent state known
as the sultanate of Sulu, which once exercised sovereignty over the present day provinces of
Basilan, palawan, Sulu, tawi-tawi, Zamboanga city, north Kalimantan and the eastern part of
the malaysia state of Sabah (formerly north Borneo)

Sarangani - is part of the South cotabato, cotabato- Sultan kudarat- sarangani- general santos
( soccsksargen) development cluster, and is linked by paved roads to the international airport
and harbor of general santos. The province is divided into two sections, separated by the
sarangani bay and city of general santos, and it used to be part of South cotabato until it was
made an independent province in 1992.

Maranao - The maranao people also spelled marenao, maranao, and meranaw, is the term
used by the Philippine government to refer to the southern indigenous people who are the
"people of the lake", a predominantly- Muslim lanao province region of the Philippine island
of Mindanao. They are known for their art work, weaving, wood, plastic and metal crafts and
epic literature, the darangan. They are ethnically and culturally closely related to the Iran in,
and maguindanao, all three groups being denoted as speaking canal languages and giving
name to the island of Mindanao.

Lumad - The lumad are a group of Austronesian indigenous people in the southern
Philippines. It cebuano term meaning " native" or indigenous. The term is short for katauhang
lumad (literally: " indigenous people "), the antonym officially adopted by the delegates of
the lumad Mindanao people federation (LMPF) founding assembly on 26 june 1986 at the
Guadalupe formation center, falindog. kidapawan, cotabato, Philippines.

Maranao Royal Family - The sultanate system remains a vital thread in maranao society,
representing Royal authority, cultural heritage and even purveyor of islamic laws. The
maranao trace their pedigree through their family tree, called the salsila, which dates back to
beginning of the lanao Royal houses.

T'Boli - The T'Boli people are one of the indigenous people of South cotabato in southern
Mindanao. In the body of ethnographic and linguistic literature on Mindanao, their name is
variously spelt t'Boli, tagabili, tagabulul and tau bilil. Their endonyms is T'Boli.

Higaunon - Higaonon is a manobo language spoken on the island of Mindanao in the

Philippines. It is partially intelligible with binukid higaonon is a spoken in the butuan river
Basin of north- central Mindanao, comprising north western agusan del sur province and the
area of agusan del Norte province of South butuan.
PREPARED BY :
BACLAGON,ALLYSSA MAE
BAYLO, SOFIA MAE
CATINA, ELGEAN
DELA TORRE, MARY IRESH
ENSOY, CHRISTINE MAE JOY
GERALDE, RHEA
GARCIA, GRACE JOY
HERNANDEZ, MA. EDLYN
PANOGA, RENA JOY
VILLA, JENETH

PROF. DEOLINDA B. DELAMIDE

COURSE FACILITATOR