Kalibuga" (Kolibugan) means

"mixed breed" and refers to the

Subanun of the Philippines who have
intermarried with the Tausug and
Samal. Kalibugan, who number
about 15,000, live in villages on the
coast in western Mindanao. Most
have converted to Islam. Their
culture shares elements with those of
Subanun, Tausug, and Samal.
 The Kolibugan Subanen inhabit the Zamboanga
Peninsula, southern Zamboanga del Norte, and some
parts of Zamboanga del Sur. Their language is similar to
that of the Western Subanen but with some
grammatical differences.
Subanen (also, Subanon and Subanun).

It is said that when the Muslims arrived in Zamboanga

and other parts of Mindanao, the original Indonesian
settlers were pushed back from the coastal areas to the
river. Their name, Subanen, comes from suba (river),
and means “river people.” However, they later moved
farther back to the hinterlands away from the
disturbances created by new settlers, such as the
Visayans and Spanish colonizers. Subanen villages are
headed by a timuay (chief), who settles the disputes
and misunderstandings among the village members.
Introduction / History

The Subanuns are the first settlers of the

Zamboanga peninsula. Because they live
near the river ("suba"), they are called river
dwellers or Suba-nuns. The family is
patriarchal while the village is led by a
chief called Timuay. He acts as the village
judge and is concerned with all communal
matters.
Marriage is similar to that of other tribes: dowry,
use of a go-between, feasting called Buklog and
the rice rituals. The officiating person is the
Misala-getaw who is a respected male leader in
the area. The most important part is the
witnessing of the rice ritual by the groom and
bride. Polygamy is limited to the affluent.
Divorce is permitted and decided by the village
chiefs. In such cases, the dowry must be
returned if the bride is at fault.
In late pregnancy, a special hut called "ghosina" is
erected for the expectant mother. Charma is hung
above and under the hut to ward off evil spirits. After
delivery, the mother lies close to a hot fire for several
days in the belief that this will dry up the womb.

The Subanuns and Kolibugans practice swidden

agriculture (slash and burn) on the mountain slopes,
cultivating upland rice, corn, root crops, and the like.
They have a subsistence economy and are in need of
technical skills, capital and market access.

The Subanun villages are ruled by village chiefs who

dispense justice, divorce, and settle issues and
disputes.
What Are Their Beliefs?
The Subanuns believe that all humans have souls. The dead
are usually buried within the same day, before sundown. They
believe that souls roam the earth unless certain rituals are
made to make it go to heaven or to appease some spirit in the
other world. The ritual is usually a feast (polohog for the less
well-off, and buklog for the more affluent. The burial party
however must bathe before the feast begins.

The Kolibugan on the other hand embraced Islam and are

mostly found on the island of Olutanga, off the coast of
Zamboanga del Sur. "Kolibugan" is a Sama-Tausug slang for
half-breed, because the tribe was former Subanuns who
intermarried with Sama and Tausugs and embraced Islam.
However, they retain the Subanun dialect.