MANOBO

TRIBE

BY:
MICUTUAN, DOLLY MAE
MONTZA, NELJEN
 MANOBO TRIBE
• Originally came from Mansuba which means man (person or
people) and suba (river), meaning river people.

• Most numerous of the ethnic groups of the Philippines in terms

of the relationships and names of the various groups that belong
to this family of languages.

• The total national population including the subgroups is 749,042

(NM 1994); occupying core areas from Sarangani island into the
Mindanao mainland in the provinces of Agusan del Sur, Davao
provinces, Bukidnon, and North and South Cotabato.
 MANOBO SUBGROUPS:
1. Ata subgroup:
- Dugbatang, Talaingod, and Tagauanum
2. Bagobo Subgroup:
- Attaw (Jangan, Klata, Obo, Giangan, Guiangan), Eto (Ata), Kailawan
(Kaylawan), Langilan, Manuvu/Obo, Matigsalug, ( Matigsaug, Matig Salug), Tagaluro, and
Tigdapaya
3. Higaonon Subgroup:
- Agusan, Lanao, and Misamis
4. North Cotabato:
- Ilianen, Livunganen, and Pulenyan;
5. Cotabato:
Cotabato (with subgroup Tasaday and Blit), Sarangani, Tagabawa
6. Western Bukidnon:
- Kiriyeteka, Ilentungen, and Pulangiyen;
7. Agusan del Sur
8. Banwaon
9. Bukidnon
HISTORY
 According to Elkins (1977) the Manobo belongs to the original stock of
proto-Philippines or proto-Austronesian people who came from South
China thousands of years ago. He later coined the term Manobo to
designate the stock of aboriginal non-negeritoid people of Mindanao.

ORAL TRADITION:
 Manobo's were lead by two brothers: Mumalu and Tabunaway, they lived by the
Banobo creek, which flowed into the Mindanao River near the present site of
Cotabato City.
 In the 14th century Sharif Kabungsuan, arrived from Johore, to convert the people of
Mindanao. Tabunaway did not want to convert to Islam but told his younger brother
not to reject the Muslim Faith.
 Tabunaway and his followers moved up the Pulangi River to the interior of
Cotabato, they decided to part ways and in the years to come established their own
tribes. These groups retained their indigenous beliefs, practices and the name of their
original site, Banobo, which eventually became Manobo.

 Leadership is placed on a highly skilled and socially powerful individual who builds
up his following through various modes of alliances including marriage. Leaders are
named Datu, Sultan, Rajah Muda
 Marriage is an alliance system in which reciprocity and mutual obligation between
the groom’s and bride’s kinship groups are expected. It is, therefore, a means of
maintaining peace and order, for the Manobo’s practice of retaliation does not extend
to one’s kindred or allies.
 Polygamy is also practiced. A Datu might resort to it, usually for
economic and political reasons. Several wives allowed for more fields that
could be cultivated, since the Manobo women did all the work in the
fields. However, they could take another wife only if the first wife and her
parents consented. The first wife remained the head wife.

 The political aspects of life are often integrated with the social aspects.
For example, many social events, such as weddings, require political
leaders. Whenever there is a negotiation for marriage, both the bride and
the groom must use the local datu (headman) to make all of the
arrangements.
BELIEFS & RITUALS
 Each tribal group culture believes in one Great Spirit. usually viewed as the creator
figure. The Manobo also believe that there are many unseen spirits who can intrude
in the lives of humans to accomplish their desires. These spirits are both good and
evil in nature and can raise anger and pleasure

 Samayaan is a native ritual in which omens are read in connection with the various
stages of the farming cycle: clearing, planting, growing, and harvesting. The first day
of the planting season marks the beginning of the Manobo year, the last day of
harvesting is the ending.

 There is a common believe that a Manobo hunter will be killed by his own dogs or
prey if he does not ask for permission first from Lalawag, the god of all forest
games, before going on a hunting trip.
BELIEFS & RITUALS
 To pray for a successful hunt only bee hunters are allowed to sing a traditional
song titled Manganinay , this hymn is sung in honor of Panayangan, the god of
the bee hunt.

 Manobo tribe are looking for the star-lit sky to determine the season of planting,
harvesting, fishing and hunting. Each star can bring a different message and will
guide the tribal group in their traditional way of living. This practice is called
Pamiteun.

 The Manobo are both strong in mind and spirit, their cultural identity is firmly
rooted in the land and its nature. It is maintained through storytelling, language,
family and the passing on of traditional skills and arts