Philippine Indigenous Communities

Week 2- Introduction on the Ethnic Groups in the Philippines

The islands of the Philippines are inhabited by a number of different ethnic groups. The majority of the
population is composed of ethnolinguistic groups whose languages are Austronesian also known as Malayo-
Polynesian in origin. Many of these groups converted to Christianity, particularly the lowland-coastal
groups, and adopted many foreign elements of culture. Ethnic groups include the Cebuano, Ilocano,
Pangasinense, Kapampangan, Tagalog, Bicolano, Waray, Surigaonon, Zamboangueño and Hiligaynon who
are also called Ilonggo.
In western Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago, there are indigenous groups who practice Islam. The
Spanish called them Moros after the Moors (despite no resemblance or cultural ties to them apart from their
religion). In the Agusan Marsh and the highlands of Mindanao, there are native ethnic groups collectively
known as the Lumad. Unlike the Moros, these people do not practice Islam, and maintain their animistic
beliefs and traditions though some of them have converted to Christianity as well.
The Negrito are a pre-Austronesian people who migrated from mainland Asia and were one of the earliest
human beings to settle the Philippines, around 90,000 years ago.[citation needed] The first known were the
people of the Callao Man remains. The Negrito population was estimated in 2004 at around 31,000.[1] Their
tribal groups include the Ati, and the Aeta. Their ways of life remain mostly free from Western and Islamic
influences. Scholars study them to try to understand pre-Hispanic culture.
Most Filipinos are Malayo-Polynesian, a major group within the Austronesian language family. Other ethnic
groups form a minority in the Philippine population. These include those of Japanese, Han Chinese, Indians,
Americans, Spanish, Europeans, and other ethnic groups from other countries. Mixed-race individuals are
known as Filipino mestizo.
Ethnic Groups in Luzon Ethnic Groups in Visayas Ethnic Groups in Mindanao
Tagalog Cebuano Badjao
Ilokano Waray Yakan
Kapampangan Ilonggo B’laan
Bikolano Ati Maranao
Aeta Suludnon T’boli
Igorot Tausug
ivatan Bagobo
Mangyan

Luzon Ethnic Groups

 Tagalog- The tagalogs are believed to be the largest ethnic group in the Philippines. Most of these
locals are living in the National Capital Region (NCR), Region 4A (CALABARZON), and Region
4B (MIMAROPA) , and have strong political influence in the country. Tagalog is the mother tongue
of the Filipinos, and it was chosen as the basis of the national language and it is taught in all schools.
 Ilokano- The Ilocano people are believed to be the third largest ethnolinguistic group in the
Philippines. They mostly reside within the Ilocos Region and some parts of the Cagayan Valley
region. They are known for being prudent and hard working. This group ethnic in the Philippines
continuously practices their old traditions to preserve their culture.
 Kapampangan- Kapampangan is a Luzon ethnic group that lives mostly in Pampanga and some parts
of Central Luzon. Dubbed as the “Culinary Capital of the Philippines”, Kapampangan takes pride in
their sumptuous recipes and gives importance to strong ties of family.
 Bicolano- Bicolano people are those who are living in the Bicol Region. This Filipino ethnicity
group is known for being religious and calm. They are also known for their distinct way of cooking
where coconut milk is a must on Bicolano dishes.
 Aeta – Also called Ita, the Aeta Filipino ethnicity is known to be one of the oldest ethnic in the
Philippines. Aetas live in the mountainous province of Zambales. Their way of living is simple and
very traditional especially when it comes to hunting for food.
 Igorot- The Igorots are found in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR). This ethnic group in
Cordillera made some of the Philippine destinations popular such as the Banaue Rice Terraces which
is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. They have strong beliefs and ethnic tradition in the
Philippines, and highly respect their anito.
 Ivatan-One of the most popular ethnolinguistic groups in the Philippines are the Ivatans because of
their notable traits such as hard working and honesty. Most tourists who explore the Philippines
consider the Ivatans as the kindest locals. This ethnic in the Philippines is found in Batanes and their
way of living is very simple.
 Mangyan-Of all the different ethnic groups in the Philippines, Mangyans are the ones found in
Mindoro provinces which are divided into eight groups. To this day, Mangyan is still practicing their
old traditions and culture in the hopes of preserving them. One of their traditions is writing ambahan
(a form of poem) and they carve it in bamboo.
Visayas Ethnic Groups
 Cebuano-Cebuanos are one of the major ethnic groups in the Philippines. Most of these people
live in Cebu and some parts of Mindanao. They are known for being creative, soft-spoken, and
calm.
 Waray-Waray people are an ethnic in Philippines that are found in Samar and Leyte. They are
known for being brave and strong, yet very loving especially when it comes to their family.
 Illongo- The most notable ethnic group in the Philippines with description would have to be the
Ilonggo people because when you hear Ilonggo, the best word that describes them is tender. They
are sweet and soft-spoken. Ilonggos live in Iloilo, Panay, Guimaras, and Negros.
 Ati-Ati is also one of the ethnic tribes in the Philippines that are very notable. This shouldn’t be
confused with the Aetas. While they look similar, they speak different languages. But like the
Aetas, hunting is a huge part of their way of living. They are mostly found in Aklan, Capiz,
Antique, and Iloilo.
 Suludnon-The Suldnon Filipino ethnicity is popular for their cultural dance Binanog where they
mimic the movements of the eagle while using the agung. This example of ethnic group in the
Philippines lives in Capiz-Lambunao.
Mindanao Ethnic Groups
 Badjao-The Badjao tribe in the Philippines can be found in Zamboanga and Sulu where they
live above water that is why they are called Sea Nomads or Sea Gypsies. The people of this
ethnolinguistic group in Mindanao are also good swimmers so their major source of income
comes from the sea.
 Yakan- There are many different races in the Philippines and each of them has their own
distinct features. Yakan is an ethnic group in the Philippines living in Basilan. Weaving is a
huge part of their culture.
 B’laan- The B’laan group lives in South Cotabato and Davao del Sur. They are famous for
making clothes made of abaca embellished with ornaments, bass and beads
 Maranao- “People of the lake”. Maranao is derived from the phrase “lawa ng Lanao del Sur
at Lanao del Norte” which means lake of Lanao del Sur and Lanao del Norte. This Filipino
ethnicity made the traditional clothing malong popular across the country.
 T’boli-T’Boli is one of the ethnolinguistic groups in Mindanao that are very popular. They
are known for their beautiful and colorful traditional clothing called T’Nalak. This Filipino
ethnic group lives in South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat.
 Tausug- The Tausug people are one of the 5 ethnic groups in the Philippines that are notable.
Known as the People of the Current, Tausugs live above the sea of Sulu with their floating
houses.
 Bagobo- It is believed that the Bagobos are the first to encounter Spanish colonizers.
However, the Spanish failed to colonize them. The Bagobos mostly live in Davao.