BSED

102
Philippine
Indigenous
Community Cultures
Module 7: INDIGENOUS PEOPLE OF
MINDANAO

Krista Monica E. Laguna

Banwaons Kalagans
Blaans
Mansakas Tbolis

Higaonons
Lumad
MINDANAO
Mamanwas
Atas
Talaandigs Mandayas
Subanons Teduray
Matigsalugs Module 7: INDIGENOUS PEOPLE OF
MINDANAO
 Mindanao has the largest number of
ethnic minorities in the Philippines - the
home of the Lumads. About 61% of all
indigenous communities or about 18%
of the country’s population are Lumads
(United Nations Development Program,
2017).
MANOBOS
• Agusan, Bukidnon, Cotabato, Davao,
Misamis Oriental and Surigao Del Sur.
• Manobo/Manuvu/Minuvu means
“person” originated from the word
“Mansuba” which is “man” (people) and
“suba” (river) just about four to twelve
households.
• The Ubo subgroup believe that a
material possession encase a part of the
soul and the artisan is attached: central
Manobos
figure is Diwata. Animist. Module 7: INDIGENOUS PEOPLE OF
MINDANAO
MANOBOS
• The political leader is called Datu
(chieftain) who attains his position by
virtue of wealth, speaking ability and
knowledge of customary law known as
the Fendan.
• It is stated in the fendan that one has to
pay consequences for his wrongdoings
by paying the aggrieved, if unable, he
will become a servant to the one who
pays for him known as Dok.
Manobos
Module 7: INDIGENOUS PEOPLE OF
MINDANAO
 BAGOBOS
• They are people traced by Hinduism
was brought to Mindanao.
• Its name “bago” meaning new and
“obo” meaning growth.
• The mountainous region of upper
Pulangi and Davao is the homeland
of upland Bagobos while coastal
Bagobos live along the hills of
Mount Apo.
• Supreme god and common ancestor
Bagobos
Module 7: INDIGENOUS PEOPLE OF
MINDANAO
is Apo Sandawa.
 BAGOBOS
• Mount Apo is a Bagobo
ancestral domain and sacred
place of worship.
• They believe in gimokods (spirits)
who have to be respected and
supreme god of sky Manama.
• Ancient legends are mastered by
the old women (mabalian) they
are also the village healers and
weavers. Module 7: INDIGENOUS PEOPLE OF
Bagobos MINDANAO
 BLAANS
• Davao del Sur.
• Inhabit the hills behind the west
coast of Davao gulf, subgroups such
as Tagalagad, Tagcogon, Buluan,
Biraan Vilanes and Balud.
• They engage in dry agriculture
which is supplemented by food
gathering and hunting.
• Datu who has autonomous authority
Blaans over his territory.Module 7: INDIGENOUS PEOPLE OF
MINDANAO
MANSAKAS
• Davao del Norte and Compostela Valley.
• Mansaka is derived from the word “man” which
means “first” and “saka” meaning “to ascend”,
hence “the first people to ascend the mountains
or go upstream.”
• Farming is their primary occupation, and they
believe in the ultimate being called Magbabaya.
• Mansakas learn about the world of music
through their departed ancestors who appear to
them in the sacred mountain called “Pula”,
where only Mansakas are allowed. They don’t
follow the standard music notations but play by Manobos
Module 7: INDIGENOUS PEOPLE OF
ear and imitation. MINDANAO
 T’BOLIS
• Cotabato Mountain.
• Patriarchal society where the
husband’s orders and decisions are
followed moreover, a man can have
multiple wives if his economic and
political resources permit it, but he
must still ask the permission of the
first wife.

Tbolis Module 7: INDIGENOUS PEOPLE OF

MINDANAO
 ATAS
• Davao del Norte, Bukidnon and
Compostela Valley.
• “Atas of Davao”.
• Cole (n.d.), described “ata” as “one
who dwells at the peak of a
mountain”.
• It was further found out that Atas
have the combination of Negrito
and Malay ancestry.
• The datu holds the utmost authority Atas
Module 7: INDIGENOUS PEOPLE OF
and leadership among the village. MINDANAO
MATIGSALUGS
• Davao and Bukidnon
• Matigsalug comes from the words “matig”
meaning “from” and “salug” meaning “river”.
• A ritual called “panubad” is performed for the
protection and appeasement of the spirit living
in the water.
• Matigsalugs are not inclined to get into conflicts
and try as much to form good relationships with
neighboring tribes: The Kaamulan Festival is
an annual gathering of Bukidnon hill tribes show
off their colorful attires and showcase their
authentic rituals that have endured through the Matigsalugs
Module 7: INDIGENOUS PEOPLE OF
years. (February and March) MINDANAO
 MANDAYA
• Davao Oriental, Davao del Norte,
Compostella Valley, Surigao del Sur and
the Southern part of Agusan del Sur.
• Described the first upstream people.
• Those who first embraced Christianity
are are considered to be the original
"Dabawenos".
• Men can have multiple wives but the
women must practice monogamy.
• Rice and tubers cultivated in “pawa”.
Mandaya Module 7: INDIGENOUS PEOPLE OF
MINDANAO
 KALAGANS
• Davao City, Tagum in Davao del
Norte, Davao Oriental and Davao
del Sur.
• Derived from the word “caag”, which
means “whisper”.
• The Kalagans embraced Islam in
the mid 1800s and territories are
headed by a male with high social
status.
• Kalagans use the Tagakaolo Sulod/Suludnon
Module 7: INDIGENOUS PEOPLE OF
language. MINDANAO
SUBANONS
• Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga del Sur
• Practice upland and swidden cultivation.
• Distinct to the Subanons is the Buklog ritual
where there is a huge dancing platform to which
a log is attached and hits a hollowed sounding
board on the ground.
• For living near the “suba” or river, they are called
river dwellers or “suba-nuns”. Villages are
headed by a Timuay.
• Marriage is like that of other tribes where there is
dowry.
• Polygamy is allowed for affluent families. Subanons
Module 7: INDIGENOUS PEOPLE OF
MINDANAO
Cultural
ELEMENTS
The Lumad is a collective term first The name further became the “agreed”
used in the year 1986 common name for the Lumad different
groups.
There are around
15 to 18 groups

Lumad
all-throughout These ICCs strive
Mindanao, many to attain self-
of them also have determination and
various self-governance
subgroups. MINDANAO

This term “lumad” is a result of different (Indigenous Cultural Communities)

ICCs wanting to be liberated from the offensive and reductive labels or names
like pagano (pagan) or natibo (native) for which during the Spanish period,
colonizers regarded these as descriptions for people who were inherently
inferior or uncivilized . Module 7: INDIGENOUS PEOPLE OF
MINDANAO
ACTIVITY
Watch the documentary Pangandoy: The Manobo Fight for Land, Education
and Their Future by Hiyasmin Saturay
Link: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ouMLdTpUeIw)

In a one whole sheet of paper, answer the following questions comprehensively:

1) Why do capitalist systems take interest in the Manobo ancestral lands?
2) How can indigenous people assert/fight for their rights and their ancestral lands?
3) Why do the Manobo's value education? What pushed them to build schools?
4) What are the challenges faced by these indigenous schools?
5) What are the steps taken by the Philippine government in order to help indigenous
people?