ETHNIC GROUP: TAGAKAOLO TRIBES

- Tagakaolo comes from the phrase “olo sa tubig” which means inhabitants of headwater. These places
have been the favored dwellings of the Kaolos.

The name “Tagakaolo,”signifies “those who dwell at the head of the river” but the name also applies to
the hill dwellers between the coast and the country of the Bila-an. On the original territory of the
Tagakaolos, Cole wrote, “Prior to Spanish times they held the hill region back of the coast, between
Malalag and Lais. On the Gulf side they were barred from the sea by the Kulaman and the Moros, while
in the mountains they encountered the powerful Bila-an tribe.”

SUB-GROUP: The Kalagan (Tagakaolo, Dagan, Laoc, Saka, Caragan, Calagan, Kagan, Laoc, Saka,
Caragan, Calagan, Saka, Mandaya, Mansaka) belong to the Mandaya/Mansaka group, and
have three subgroups: (1) Tagakaolo proper, (2) Kagan, and (3) Lao.
- The latter is an acculturated group in the Haguimitan mountains of the San Agustin peninsula on the
east side of Davao gulf, now largely occupied by the Mandaya. The core areas are in the places between
the coast and the B’laan country in the province of Davao. They are in the tributaries of Malita and Lais,
and Talaguton rivers in the interior. The population is estimated at 87,270 (NM 1994). Historically these
were composed of small, warring groups.

DIALECTS: TAGAKAOLO LANGUAGES

 Tagakaolo belongs to the Austronesian and Malayo-Polynesian language families; its dialect
related to the Mandaya, Kalagan, and Kamayo. Tagakaulo translates to “inhabitants of
headwater (olo sa tubig) or sources of rivers and streams.”

LOCATION: The western shores of the gulf of Davao and southern part of Mt. Apo.
'Tagakaolo' ('from the mountains'
The Tagakaolos inhabit the western shores of the gulf of Davao and southern part of Mt. Apo.
'Tagakaolo' ('from the mountains') indicates that they came from the river sources. At present, they are
also found in the coastal towns of Malita and Lais and Talaguton rivers.
POPULATIONS: Population of approximately 124,698
The Tagakaolos live in Malalog, with a population of approximately 124,698. Members can be
recognized by the close-fitting suits of red and yellow striped cloth. The majority of the people have hair
curled in locks and mutilated, blackened teeth.

MYTHOLOGY: DIWATA
Tagakaolos believe in a supernatural being who lives in Mt. Apo. They offer him human sacrifices when
they imagine that he is angered or when they come to the volcano to gather sulphur. They believe that
this being can be both benign and malevolent, much like the beliefs attributed to diwatas throughout
the islands.

LITERARY: (NOT SURE WALA AKO NAKITA SA RESEARCH KO) THEY DON’T HAVE THEIR OWN
ALPHABET OR WRITING SYSTEM.

LORE: Mangkukulam, Duwende

- Any promdi knows that if you've got an ailment that can't be explained, it's probably the fault of a
mangkukulam. If you cross a mangkukulam and you're careless with your personal effects, beware.
They'll probably perform a "kulam" using your personal effects and a doll or photograph. If you want to
go on a mangkukulam hunt, head on over to the island of Siquijor, which has long had the reputation of
being the home of mangkukulams.

Duwende

-They can be good or mischievous, depending on how they are treated. It is said to be good practise to
mutter “tabi-tabi po” as a respectful apology for disturbing them when walking past a likely abode. Food
can also be left out to encourage their good favours.

CULTURE OF RECONCILIATION: (WALA PA AKO MAHANAP)

RELIGION: Muslims

Most of the Tagakaolo became Muslims; however, the majority of the Tagakaulu remained
animists (believe that non-human objects have spirits). Today, many of them are still ethnic
religionists, believing in the traditions and religions of their forefathers. They continue to
believe in a variety of "environmental spirits."
MEANS OF LIVELIHOOD: FISHING, FARMING, PAID LABOR

-Their lifestyle, wholly sedentary with principal subsistence dependent on agriculture, fishing,
and paid labor

POLITICAL SYSTEM: WEALTHY DATU

-Each upland river valley or highland plain is the district or domain of a ruling datu, a position
which was inherited by primogeniture. Each datu is the autonomous chief over an area. The
datu is both judge and defender of his fellowmen, who in turn work in his fields. A wealthy datu
could have as many wives as he could secure, either by capture or by purchase.

KINSHIP&SOCIAL ORGANIZATION:( WALA PA AKO MAHANAP)

MARRIAGE AND COURTSHIP: :( WALA PA AKO MAHANAP)

CLOTHING :