WARAY

The Waray people (or the Waray-Waray people) are a subgroup of the
larger ethnolinguistic group Bisaya people, who constitute the 4th largest Filipino
ethnolinguistic group in the Philippines. Their primary language is the Waray
language (also called Lineyte-Samarnon or Binisaya), an Austronesian
language native to the islands of Samar, Leyte and Biliran, which together
comprise the Eastern Visayas Region of the Philippines. Waray people inhabit
most of Samar where they are called Samareños/Samarnons, the northern part
of the island of Leyte where they are called Leyteños, and the island of Biliran. In
Leyte island, the Waray-speaking people are separated from the Cebuano-
speaking Leyteños by the island's mountain range at the middle. In the island-
province of Biliran, Waray-speaking people live in the eastern part facing Samar
island, and Maripipi Island; their Waray dialect is commonly referred to
as Biliranon. In Ticao island, belonging to Masbate province, Bicol Region, Waray-
speaking people dwell in most of the island; who are commonly referred to as
Ticaonon. Although, Ticaonons identifies more with the Masbateño-
speaking people of Masbate, being their province-mates.[4] The Bicolano
language has more common vocabulary with the Waray language than with
other Visayan languages (i.e. Cebuano or Ilonggo).

Demographics
The Waray people form the majority of the population in the provinces of Eastern
Samar, Northern Samar, and Samar while they form a significant population
in Leyte, Southern Leyte, Biliran, and Sorsogon. According to the Philippine census
of 2010, the Waray population is 3,660,645. Encyclopedia Britannica estimates
that the Waray people's population reached 4.2 million in early 21st
century. Although, an updated 2020 Philippine census reveals that Warays only
constitute around 4.1 million only, about 100,000 short of the Encyclopedia
Britannica estimate.
Most Warays are Catholic, with a minority professing Protestantism, Islam,
traditional Waray beliefs, or having no religion. Christianity amounts to 99% of the
Warays, 4.69% of which are Evangelicals.

History
According to historian and Filipinologist William Henry Scott, evidence of the first
humans in the Eastern Visayas region can be found at Sohoton
Caves in Basey, Samar, dating around 8,550 BC. Flake tools made of stone were
found in the caves along the Basey River as proof of human existence during
those times.[2] These tools were used by hunter-gatherers until the 13th
century.The Waray people descend from Austronesian-speaking seafarers who
settled the Philippine archipelago starting in the Iron Age. Before the Spaniards
came in the region, the Warays already had complex cultural and socio-political
systems, and trading with the Chinese, Borneans and Malays. In 1521, the Warays
of the east coast of Samar, who called themselves Ibabaonon, were the first
people from the Philippine islands that were seen by the Europeans in
the expedition led by Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan.[10] According to
Magellan's documenter, Antonio Pigafetta, they first came across with this native
group at sea close to Suluan Island. The Warays were among the first indigenous
groups from the Philippine archipelago who converted to Christianity.
Paradoxically, they are also among the last Filipino ethnicities to
retain indigenous practices alongside Roman Catholicism.

Stereotypes
The Waray-Waray are often stereotyped as brave warriors, as in the popular
phrase, Basta ang Waray, hindi uurong sa away, meaning "The Waray would
never back down from a fight". Most of the negative connotation of this
stereotype however, which depicted Warays as violent and callous, were caused
by the notorious Waray-Waray gangs. They are also known as contented people,
so much so that, during the Spanish era, they were often called lazy, for being
contented to live in simplicity as farmers, and for making tuba palm wine from
coconut nectar. Warays are also known for their love of music, in particular
the Kuratsa, a courtship dance. Local artists often create Waray versions of
popular songs, such as "An Bahal nga Tuba" that was based on a Mexican song.

Culture and traditions

The Waray people speak Waray, a major Visayan language. Many also
speak English, Tagalog, and/or Cebuano as their second languages. Some
people of Waray descent speak Waray as their second or third language,
especially among emigrants to Metro Manila, other parts of the Philippines, and
elsewhere in the world. The term "Waray" refers both to the people and the
language of Samar and Leyte, and means "nothing" in the Waray language. It is
unclear how it became the language's name. According to the Sanghiran sang
Binisaya (Council for the Visayan Language), the formal name of the language is
Lineyte-Samarnon or Binisaya. Although, the colloquial term "Waray" eventually
became the official term. Waray is predominantly spoken on Samar Island with
Cebuano spoken in some areas of the island. Each province in Samar Island has
a distinct variant of Waray that can be distinguished by its vocabulary, tone, and
accent variations. Each variant has its own name; estehanon refers to Eastern
Samar Waray, nortehanon refers to Northern Samar Waray,
and westehanon (also called Kinalbayog/Calbayognon) refers to
(Western) Samar Waray. Warays who live in these provinces may also be
identified with those names.
Traditions

Many Waray traditions can be traced to pre-colonial times. For example Waray-
Waray Cha-Cha from the Old Spanish Cabecera, the Kuratsa Dance, or Kuratsa
de Mayor is a very popular traditional dance of the Waray-Waray at many social
gatherings, especially weddings. It is very common throughout Samar. Initially
thought to have originated from the la cucaracha (cockroach dance)
of Mexico, it was later confirmed by the National Commission for Culture and the
Arts that the dance was indeed indigenous Waray in origin, not Mexican. The
dance depicts a courtship dance which exemplifies the movements of the rooster
and the hen, which were prized commodities for the indigenous Waray people.
Traditionally, the dance is played together with a rondalla or a live string band.
The music used for the dance is complex, having a wide variety depending on
the wishes of the musicians. In some cases, the rondalla also sings while the
performers dance to the music. In Waray tradition, a sarayaw or social dancing
event is never complete without the kuratsa. The dance is so integral to Waray
culture that it is also exhibited in birthdays, weddings, baptisms, and even political
and sports events. Traditionally, the dance area for the dancers are leveled, and
not elevated, so that the spectators may surround them, whether the location is
indoor or outdoor. To begin the dance, the parag-adu (the person who pairs the
dancers) calls out the dancers first. The pairs then proceed to the paseo. The first
dance move begins with the siki-siki (foot steps) or the tinikud-tikud (heel steps).
Both of which are extremely rapid steps that keep both foot near each other. The
couple who dances the Kuratsa are showered with money by the people around
them. Both dancers afterwards wave their arms sideways or a little overhead,
arms together or in alteration. Afterwards, the men will perform the sarakiki step,
a rapid vibrating step performance that depicts the agility of the rooster.

It includes mincing, skipping, hopping, and jumping combinations. Despite being

brisque and rapid, the men are expected to execute the steps in a graceful
manner where they seem to glide in space. For the women, they are expected
to perform that languorous and wavy mabalud-balud steps. The basic format of
the women's steps is based on a sub-step known as duon, which means 'to put
weight on'. The usage of the duon makes the dancers of the mabalud-
balud bounce with grace, if properly done. The best dancers of the mabalu-
balud should be light, fluid, and fine in execution. As partners, the pairs should be
synchronized with the moves that are designated as dual in nature. The pair
dramatize the romantic palanat, a chasing pair step. The palanat depicts the
man as chasing the women in pursue of love. The women are seen to reject the
man initially, as to test if the man is serious in his pursuit. Once the man is rejected,
it is expected for the man to turn back in grief, while the women will follow the
man as if looking if the man is really in grief, all while executing the palanat. Once
the grief has been proven, the dance proceeds to the dagit (swoop down steps)
and wali (lift steps). The man afterwards will kneel and roll around while the
woman manifests her prestige with poise as she sways and circles towards her
partner. To make it more elaborate, there is also a gapus-gapusay or tying steps.

In gapus-gapusay, the dancers are tied with kerchief at separate times. The tied
partner is only released once the free partner immobilizes the sabwag, or
dropping money on the scarf laid at the center of the ground.
The sabwag notably depicts the dowry. Afterwards, both partners woo each
other through steps that differentiate the man and the woman. The man uses
the parayaw (showing off steps), while the woman uses the flirtatious lubay-
lubay (hip sway steps). The dance traditionally ends with all dancers expected to
exhibit finesse in the art form. The kuratsa is notably used in the Waray wedding
ritual known as bakayaw. The bride and the groom are expected to dance
the kuratsa, followed by the ninang and ninong (the principal sponsors of the
marriage). During a bakayaw, people are mandated by tradition to throw money
towards the dancing bride and groom. The thrown money is known as gala, and
is collected and offered by the groom to the bride as the precursor of a married
life. The friends and family of the couple usually throws a lot of money towards the
couple as the Warays believe that the more money showered upon them, the
more blessings shall arrive for the couple. In 2011, the performing art was cited by
the National Commission for Culture and the Arts as one of the intangible cultural
heritage of the Philippines under the performing arts category that the
government may nominate in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists.

Education

Tacloban City in Leyte is home to a campus of the University of the Philippines

Visayas Tacloban College, Leyte Colleges, and Leyte Normal University. There are
numerous state universities serving the region, including Eastern Samar State
University, Eastern Visayas State University, Samar State University and the largest
both in terms of land area and curricular offerings in the whole region,
the University of Eastern Philippines located in Catarman, Northern Samar. There
are also other colleges in (Western) Samar like St. Mary's College of Catbalogan,
formerly Sacred Heart College and Samar College. Northwest Samar State
University, formerly Tiburcio Tancinco Memorial Institute of Science and
Technology and Samar State College of Agriculture and Forestry, offer courses
that are needed in technology and business community.

Livelihood
Crops
The most important crop and major source of income for many is the coconut.
Other major agricultural products include rice and corn, while sugarcane, abaca,
and tobacco are also grown. Cassava and camote (sweet potato) are grown as
supplementary staple crops. Pineapple, banana, mangoes, and other fruit are
grown year round, as are many vegetables and peanuts. A root crop known
as palawan is also widely known in Samar and Leyte. Leyte is a big producer of
bananas.

Farming and fishing

Farming and fishing provide much of the livelihood of the Waray-Waray. There is
an impressive variety of seafood available.

Native wines are produced in the area, as in many places in the Philippines. The
most common of these wines are tuba extracted from the coconut palm,
"manyang" extracted from palm tree (common in the province of Northern
Samar) and pangasi, made from fermented rice.

Culture and Traditions of the Waray People

Essay Questions

1. Language and Identity: Discuss the significance of the Waray language in shaping the cultural
identity of the Waray people, considering its regional variations and its role as a symbol of cultural
heritage.

2. Historical Roots: Explore the origins of the Waray people, tracing their lineage back to
Austronesian-speaking seafarers and examining their early socio-political systems and trade
relations with neighboring regions.

3. Encounter with European Explorers: Analyze the encounter between the Warays and European
explorers, particularly focusing on the first contact with Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan
and the subsequent conversion to Christianity.

4. Stereotypes and Cultural Perceptions: Investigate common stereotypes associated with the
Waray people, such as their reputation as brave warriors and their perceived contentedness, and
analyze how these stereotypes have influenced perceptions of Waray culture.

5. Cultural Traditions: Examine traditional Waray customs and practices, with a focus on cultural
traditions like the Kuratsa dance, its significance in social gatherings, and its role in preserving
indigenous cultural heritage.

6. Language and Cultural Evolution: Discuss the evolution of the Waray language and its interaction
with other languages, such as English, Tagalog, and Cebuano, considering its adaptation among
emigrants and its role in maintaining cultural ties.

7. Education and Intellectual Development: Evaluate the role of education in Waray communities,
highlighting the presence of educational institutions like the University of the Philippines Visayas
 Tacloban College and Leyte Normal University in Tacloban City, and its impact on intellectual
development.

8. Livelihood and Economic Activities: Explore the primary livelihoods of the Waray people,
including farming, fishing, and the production of native wines like tuba, and analyze the economic
significance of these activities in sustaining local communities.

9. Cultural Preservation and Recognition: Assess efforts to preserve and promote Waray culture,
such as the recognition of the Kuratsa dance as an intangible cultural heritage by the National
Commission for Culture and the Arts, and discuss their impact on cultural awareness and
appreciation.

10. Community Dynamics and Social Cohesion: Investigate the social dynamics within Waray
communities, considering factors like kinship ties, mutual cooperation in agricultural practices,
and the role of cultural traditions in fostering social cohesion and identity.