The fishermen of Palawan

• The name Tagbanua means "people of the village." The Tagbanua inhabit the
central portion of Palawan Island, both the eastern and the western coasts, which
lies between Mindoro and Borneo. The higher concentration of population is in
the more extensive lowlands to the east of the island's mountain range.
 Life
• The Tagbanua practice slash-and-burn agriculture, growing dry maize, rice,
millet, taro, sweet potato and cassava. Fishing is the second main economic
activity.
• They usually practice wild boar hunting armed with spears and accompanied
by dogs. Buffalos are kept for transport and as a meat source while other
Cattle and pigs are kept for ritual feasts. They raise chickens both for
cockfighting and for their feathers, also used as fish baits.
 Home
• Houses are raised on 1.5 m to 2-m piles and traditionally consist in one single
room. They use bamboo, rattan and palm fronds for the floor, walls, and
gabled roof. They may have a veranda and yard, and flowers are usually
planted around the house to embellish it. Traditionally, houses used to be
burned upon the death of an occupant. Some houses are built with light and
transportable materials, this way they can carry the roofs and walls with them
when they need to move.
Culture
Social Structure
• Tagbanua society is composed of autonomous villages recognizing an ethnic
leader, the Masikampu. Ginu'u are the community leaders that rule according
to their extensive knowledge of customary law and on the possession of
supernaturally powerful heirlooms. Villages are part of the national system of
local administration. The traditional social order distinguishes between "high
blood", "low blood" and, in the past, slaves were called Uripen.
Traditions
• A pregnant woman observes numerous behavioural and dietary taboos. Furthermore, several
plants are kept in the house as protection against witches or evil spirits.
• The Tagbanua are monogamous and typically marry early with arranged weddings.
• Pasigem (riddles) and ugtulen (folk tales) serve not only as entertainment but also as
essential lessons to teach children social norms and history.
• Female hair is kept long and in a chignon. In the village, earrings and chains of pearls are
worn by women, but only occasionally.
• Traditional men's wear consists of fabric loincloths, while women wear colourful sarongs.
Language
• The Tagbanua on Palawan uses the pre-Hispanic alphabet once used by the
Tagalogs and other Filipinos. Many Tagbanua also speak the languages of the
neighbouring communities as well as the national language, the
Tagalog/Pilipino.
 Art
• Dancing to gong music is an integral part of celebrations.
• The epic of Dumarakul (the hero's name) is sung after burial. Still, traditional
songs (like daluwasa, sablay, bagreng) are today gradually disappearing.
• The traditional costumes of the Tagbanwa were fashioned from the bark of
trees, particularly the salugin one.
Celebrations
• The Tagbanua have several traditional ceremonies and participate in
celebrations of non-Tagbanua communities too.
• Tarek Palawan Festival: is annually conducted during the third week of January
by indigenous groups belonging to the Tagbanua tribe and the Batak tribe. The
main attraction of this festival is ritual dances.
 Further knowledge
• Palawan is a region with a high level of marine biodiversity. It is a
UNESCO Biosphere Reserves, a global model for sustainable relations
between man and the natural world.
Thank
You