Rebuplic of the Philippines

SULTAN KUDARAT STATE UNIVERSITY

Tacurong, Sultan Kudarat

Name: Balhinon, Jacinth May C.

Course/Year: BSMA 2A

Course Code: GE 711 - Cultures of Mindanao

Kalibugan

Kalibuga" (Kolibugan) means "mixed breed" and refers to the Subanun of

the Philippines who have intermarried with the Tausug and Samal. Kalibugan, who
number about 15,000, live in villages on the coast in western Mindanao. Most
have converted to Islam. Their culture shares elements with those of Subanun, Tausug,
and Samal.

Location

The Kolibugan Subanen inhabit the Zamboanga Peninsula, southern Zamboanga

del Norte, and some parts of Zamboanga del Sur. Their language is similar to that of the
Western Subanen but with some grammatical differences.
Subanen (also, Subanon and Subanun).

It is said that when the Muslims arrived in Zamboanga and other parts of Mindanao, the
original Indonesian settlers were pushed back from the coastal areas to the river. Their
name, Subanen, comes from suba (river), and means “river people.” However, they later
moved farther back to the hinterlands away from the disturbances created by new
settlers, such as the Visayans and Spanish colonizers. Subanen villages are headed by a
timuay (chief), who settles the disputes and misunderstandings among the village
members.
All Subanen subgroups have their own dialects, but they remain mutually intelligible
with each other.

History

The Subanuns are the first settlers of the Zamboanga peninsula. Because they live near
the river ("suba"), they are called river dwellers or Suba-nuns. The family is patriarchal
while the village is led by a chief called Timuay. He acts as the village judge and is
concerned with all communal matters.
What Are Their Beliefs?

The Subanuns believe that all humans have souls. The dead are usually buried within the
same day, before sundown. They believe that souls roam the earth unless certain rituals
are made to make it go to heaven or to appease some spirit in the other world. The
ritual is usually a feast (polohog for the less well-off, and buklog for the more affluent.
The burial party however must bathe before the feast begins.

Marriage is similar to that of other tribes: dowry, use of a go-between, feasting called
Buklog and the rice rituals. The officiating person is the Misala-getaw who is a respected
male leader in the area. The most important part is the witnessing of the rice ritual by
the groom and bride. Polygamy is limited to the affluent. Divorce is permitted and
decided by the village chiefs. In such cases, the dowry must be returned if the bride is at
fault.

In late pregnancy, a special hut called "ghosina" is erected for the expectant mother.
Charma is hung above and under the hut to ward off evil spirits. After delivery, the
mother lies close to a hot fire for several days in the belief that this will dry up the
womb.

The Subanuns and Kolibugans practice swidden agriculture (slash and burn) on the
mountain slopes, cultivating upland rice, corn, root crops, and the like. They have a
subsistence economy and are in need of technical skills, capital and market access.

The Subanun villages are ruled by village chiefs who dispense justice, divorce, and settle
issues and disputes.