Cultures in Mindanao (Mangyan Tribe)

Presented by: Michel Jay Arguelles Espulgar

I. Learning objectives:

At the end of this lesson, the students will;

 Define what are Mangyan tribe; and,

 Differentiate the eight indigenous groups found on the island of Mindoro

II. Who are Mangyans?

Mangyan is a generic term that comprises the eight indigenous peoples of
Mindoro Island.
The people live in settlements of from five to twelve single-family houses
perched on slopes overlooking mountain streams.
The eight indigenous peoples of Mindoro Island are the following:
a. Iraya tribe of mangyan- Living in the foothills of Mount Malasimbo, the
Iraya-Mangyans are the indigenous people of Oriental Mindoro who are
known for their skill of nito-weaving, a preserved tradition that celebrates
their unique art form.
b. Alangan tribe of mangyan- The Alangan forest people on the Philippine
Island of Mindoro are frightened. The sound of test drilling can be heard
several places in the jungle they are dependent on. The land they have
inherited from their ancestors is threatened by Norwegian mining
operations. They fear that the forest god Kapwambulod will be disturbed
and turn against them.
c. Bangon tribe of mangyan- The Bangon Mangyans have their own
culture and language different from the other 6 major Mangyan tribes in
Oriental Mindoro and also their writing system. Hence, the Bangons have
asserted that they be considered as the 7th major Mangyan tribe not as a
sub-tribe of the Tau-buid Mangyans.
d. Ratagnon tribe of mangyan- The Ratagnon are one of the Mangyan
peoples of Mindoro, and live on the southern tip of the island. They live in
 settlements of five to twelve single-family houses, situated on slopes near
mountain streams and named after the oldest resident. They do not use
the Mangyan Indic script.
e. Tadyawan tribe of mangyan- Like most Mangyan tribes, the majority of
Tadyawans worship nature spirits, with only four percent of their
population believing in Christianity. An unusual epistolary novel of lost
love, mystic fantasy, and the search for meaning in life, wrapped up in a
world-wide travel log of people and places.
f. Hanunuo tribe of mangyan- Hanunóo live in single-family dwellings of
wood, bamboo, and thatched roofs. These structures are built on pilings,
often in rows so that their verandas join end to end. Granaries resemble
houses, but they are smaller and lack verandas.
g. Tawbuid tribe of mangyan- The Tawbuid or Tau-buid Mangyans are part
of the eight tribes of the umbrella term Mangyan. They are known as pipe
smokers who start smoking at an early age, even when they are still
children.
h. Buhid tribe of mangyan- One of the Mangyan cultures of Mindoro, the
Buhid live between the Batangans in the north and the Hanunoo to the
south, and employ two different versions of the Mangyan Hindic script.
Written on bamboo slivers by stylii or knives, this script is used to record
ambalan or urukay, a type of poetry, in addition to songs.
III. Origin
The Mangyan settled along the shores of Mindoro Island approximately 600-
700 years ago. It is believed that they had come from the southern regions of
the archipelago. They were gradually forced to leave their coastal settlements
by more aggressive groups.
IV. Location
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.
V. Houses
 The house is the only encompassing social unit that represents Mangyan
Patag society as a whole. However, the house is also a place to live in and to
communicate with the ancestors through the spring, which links the sky with
the earth and the underworld.
VI. Beliefs
The house is the only encompassing social unit that represents Mangyan
Patag society as a whole. However, the house is also a place to live in and to
communicate with the ancestors through the spring, which links the sky with
the earth and the underworld.

VII. Crafts
Tribal women sit under a thatched roof, weaving local 'nito' vines or native
vines into baskets, beer bottle holders and place mats amongst other eco-
friendly products.
The Mangyans traded their local products of cotton, root crops, medicinal
plants and bees-wax for beads, gongs, plates and jars.

VIII. Costume
Tribal women sit under a thatched roof, weaving local 'nito' vines or native
vines into baskets, beer bottle holders and place mats amongst other eco-
friendly products.
The Mangyans traded their local products of cotton, root crops, medicinal
plants and bees-wax for beads, gongs, plates and jars.
IX. Reference
Tweddell, C. E. (1970). The Identity and Distribution of the Mangyan Tribes of
Mindoro, Philippines. Anthropological Linguistics, 12(6), 189–207. Retrieve from:
http://www.jstor.org/stable/30029250
Postma, A. (1974). DEVELOPMENT AMONG THE MANGYANS OF MINDORO: A
Privileged Experience. Philippine Quarterly of Culture and Society, 2(1/2), 21–37.
Retrieve from: http://www.jstor.org/stable/29791117