The Tagakaolo inhabit Mindanao, Sarangani, Davao del Sur, and Mt. Apo.

Tagalaya, from the mountains,

indicates they came from the river sources. Presently, they're also found in the coastal towns of Malita,
Lais, and Talaguton Rivers. There are approximately 71,356 native speakers (2000, SIL International).
Tagakaolo belongs to the Austronesian and Malayo-Polynesian language families; its dialect related to
the Mandaya, Kalagan, and Kamayo. Tagakaolo translates to “inhabitants of headwater (olo sa tubig) or
sources of rivers and streams.”

Their environment, diverse, consisted of the lowland, coastal, riverine, valley, mountain, highland, and
the plain. Their lifestyle, wholly sedentary with principal subsistence dependent on agriculture, fishing,
and paid labor. Each upland river valley or highland plain inherited by primogeniture (right of succession
belonging to the firstborn child). Central to their culture is the datu who presides over civic and labor
duties; a prominent datu could secure, either by capture or by purchase. Each datu is the autonomous
chief over an area. http://www.ethnicgroupsphilippines.com/people/ethnic-groups-in-the-
philippines/kalagan-tagakaulo/#:~:text=The%20Tagakaolo%20inhabit%20Mindanao%2C%20Sarangani,
%2C%20Lais%2C%20and%20Talaguton%20Rivers. March 17, 2021

traditional wedding ceremony or “Pagpangugnan”, particularly how the Tagakolu traditionally chooses a
significant other.

The process gave them the space to understand that “sablag” or bride wealth is an essential part of the
Tagakolu marriage. It binds not only the two individuals involved but also, the families of these
individuals. It symbolizes their commitment to each other. This is further manifested through the “pag-
mesmes”, part of the ritual in the wedding ceremony where the parents of both parties will mold rice
into a ball. The rice must stick together as one, as this foretells the kind of marriage the couple will have.
The “mesmes” or the rice is eaten together with a dish that the bride and groom will serve each other.
This entire ritual signifies their vow of love that would harmonize them as couple. Pagpangugnan:
Tagakaulo Traditional Wedding 18/03/16 16:19.
https://iemergence.org/osmosis/news_files/pagpangugnan-tagakaulo.html

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