Mamanwa

Introduction: The nomadic Mamanwa (also spelled Mamanoa) people are one of the oldest tribes in the
Philippines. They were previously believed to be a subgroup of the Negritos, but after numerous physical
anthropological studies, they are now believed to be distinct from the Negritos.

Similar to the Negritos, Mamanwas are typically dark-skinned and bear small frames. They also possess
curly hair and black eyes, and are mostly petite, ranging from 1.35 to 1.5 meters in height.

The term Mamanwa means “First Forest Dwellers”, derived from “man” (first) and “banwa” (forest).
However, they are popularly called “Kongking” because of their kinky hair. The term could be derived
from the word “conquista”, the conquered ones. The Mamanwas still use their own dialect when they
communicate among themselves although most of them can now speak the dialects of the lowlanders.

Traditionally, hunting was heavily part of their customs and traditions, though this tradition has
gradually disappeared. Instead, they now set up bayatik (spear traps) and gahong (pit traps) to catch
animals in the forest, and they eat wild fruit, nuts, honey, and python meat. They also forge labor
agreements with other nearby groups and weave baskets and hammocks.

Origin and Geographical location:

This frank but peace-loving tribe populates the areas of Panaoan Island, Southern Leyte, Agusan del
Norte, Surigao del Norte, and Surigao del Sur.

The Mamanwas’ Origins

The Mamanwas are part of the bigger Aeta communities. Their name is derived from the terms man
which means “first” and banwa which means “forest,” which together translate to “first forest dwellers.”

Before the Mamanwas arrived in central Samar Island, it is said that there had been an earlier Samar
Agta Negri

to group residing there. However, once the Mamanwas came, the Samar Agta then switched to Waray-
Waray or Northern Samarenyo, and possibly even integrated with the Mamanwa tribe.

Language folklore:

As of 1990, there are approximately 5,000 speakers of their language of the same name Mamanwa,
which is under the umbrella Bisaya languages.

Mamanwa is also known as Mamanwa Negrito or Minamanwa. It is closely related to Surigaonon,

Butuanon, Bislig, Kamayo and Cebuano. Most Mamanwa speakers also speak Cebuano.

Religion:
The primary religion practiced by the Mamanwa Negrito is ethnoreligion. Ethnoreligion is deeply rooted
in a people's ethnic identity and conversion essentially equates to cultural assimilation.

The primary religion practiced by the Mamanwa is ethnoreligion. Ethnoreligion is deeply rooted in a
people's ethnic identity and conversion essentially equates to cultural assimilation. They believe in a
collection of spirits, which are governed by the supreme deity, Magbabaya. They are often taught that
their animistic beliefs are savage.

Although it appears that their contact with monotheist communities/populations has had a significant
impact on the Mamanwa's religious practices, they still believe in a group of spirits that are controlled by
the supreme deity, Magbabaya. Frequently, they are instructed that their animistic beliefs are barbaric.

Holiday:

Bonok- Bonok Festival ➢ is a ritual dance originated in Mamanwa tribe. This festival is celebrated in
Surigao. It is also celebrated in reverence to the Patron Saint San Nicolas de Tolentino and to reflect the
city’s rich cultural heritage.

Tahawan Ceremony ➢ They are still practicing this ceremony which is an indigenous manner of worship,
thanksgiving and cheery making.

Kahimunan Ceremony ➢ Grand festivity in the Mamanwa land, it is offered when welcoming an
important person in the town or province

Deities (gods / godesses) Tahaw ➢ The supreme god Magbabaya ➢ The supreme deity Diyatot ➢ The
lowest in the rank of the deities. It believed to dwell in the balete tree.

Rituals:

BIRTH RITUALS

• Mamanwa women during pregnancy would suppress their desire for food affecting the health and
growth of their babies which naturally need nutritious food, especially while inside the womb of their
mothers.

• During pregnancy on account of their elders' prohibition to take nutritious food items which can
increase the weight of their unborn babies.

Marriage Rituals

• Mamanwa weddings are traditionally celebrated during summer months— March to May. • The
courtship begins when the boy is between 7 to 10 years old.

• Parents visit the home of a prospective bride of the same age as their son and the head of the family
informs the girl´s family that their son seeks marriage.

Death and Mourning Rituals

• They transfer from a place to another especially in case of deaths to leave, sadness, great sorrows,
and forget grief painful memories.

• In Mamanwa, the dead were either laid on a platform built beside a tree or wrapped in a mat or
bamboo slats and hung up on a tree.

Healing Rituals

• Healing rituals are performed by Baylan/Tambajon (Shaman) who has two kind namely; those who are
specialist in using herbal medicine to treat illnesses, and those who are skilled in conducting rituals and
ceremonies

Beliefs and Practices:

Superstitious beliefs • Mamanwa tribe believe in spirits and unseen beings residing and protecting the
elements of their environment and to whom recognition and respect must be accorded otherwise they
will be punished or afflicted by adverse incidents.

Superstitious beliefs • Another, when it is a farm area, releasing a white chicken will result to fertility of
the soil, it is believed that this will increase the harvest.

Clothing:

Traditionally, both Mamanwa women and men wear fabric-made headdress and some accessories such
as necklace made of beads. However nowadays, men and women of Mamanwa already adopted the
modern attire such as t- shirt and pants with the triangular shape in their traditional attire.

Food and Delicacies:

Mamanwa people eats; wild fruit, nuts, honey, and python meat.

Education:

Arts, Crafts, and Dances:

Music and Music Instruments:

Mamanwa

Their most popular form of music is ritualistic. It is mostly used by the baylan, or medicine man, when
communing with the spirits for specific functions. Examples are the Pagsangkalalan which is a religious
ceremony that aims to invite the Tama,diwata ng gubat or the forest fairies to heal the sick. It includes
communal prayers, a banquet, and merriment along the beat of the gimbar.

Another significant activity is the Kahimonan, a very sacred prayer for the souls of the departed and to
their supreme Being, Tahaw. Below is an excerpt of the Kahimonan:
Kahimonan

Og Tahaw kad nu banwa

Kahabzen, gihud kaname
Kin-isa gihud banwa
Dahed, dahed, iza daza
Di dipi katahawan dizan katotawan
Dini kanmo kaotawan
Hagdan katahawan oralaaser
Kapupuran hagdan katahawan
Hawag, hawag oapirpuan
Hawag, hawag kapupuan
Hilwa kadayawan banwa
Iko laga katahawan latubinaw
Mayazer, Mayazer tapopoan
Maloza, kaporoan
Manganop boog, bakit
Nogay nazehet kalsahawan

Surig, surig Tahaw.

English Translation

God Tahaw visit the settlement

This day, please accompany us
All the time please accompany us,
For our protection
God who dwells in all direction
Tahaw who knows the flow
Of the river of life
Closely accompany us
Here in this life and after
Please protect your people
The ancestors know of your power
The ancestors are calling you
Please provide good harvest to the
village
You just like fire, God Tahaw
Good in all generation
You have been good to our ancestors
You can weaken the bad spirits
You made bounties of the game
Please forgive the village
We will be faithful to you

God Tahaw.

Kudlung

The Kudlung is a wooden two stringed lute of the Mamanwa and other Lumad tribes. It has two strings
that serve different purposes – one for melody and one for drone. It has eight frets to create various
pitch and is normally adorned with horse hair.

Gimbal / Gimbar

The Gimbal is a percussion instrument made of carved Bahi orbeetle nut wood with a tanned animal
hide stretched over the opening. Along with the agong, it is one of the instruments used in sacred ritual
performances. The Mamanwa also uses a variation of this instrument called a Gimbar, which uses
Iguana hide.

Kubing

Kubing, or the indigenous jaw’s harp, can be considered one of the popular musical instruments among
indigenous tribes. Made of bamboo strip and designed with beautiful carvings, this musical instrument
has versions from different tribes, such as the Tagbanua’s Arobing, Palawan’s Aroding, and the Kulaing
of the Yakan and Tausug.

Agung
Another sacred ritual instrument used by the Manobo is the Agung along with the gimbal. Its sacred
nature disallows the tribesmen to use this instrument outside of the rituals or for leisure. A set of ten
gongs of varying sizes on a stand is called an Ayung, while another five set of handheld Agungs are called
Sagagong

Textile Patterns: