Subject: PHILIPPINES INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES

After successful completion of the course, the students are expected to:
1. Describe the indigenous people and the Philippines indigenous communities.
2. Differentiate indigenous from not indigenous.
3. Describe some indigenous knowledge and its importance.
4. Name the different tribes and its ethnic groups: Lumad Igorot Mangyan Tribes in
Mindanao
5. Describe the waves of migration of indigenous people in the Philippines:
Negritos Indonesians Malays
6. Name some indigenous practices in the Philippines.
7. Give some rights of indigenous people in the Philippines.
8. Enumerate some ways of protecting indigenous people's rights.
9. Discuss the indigenous family values.
10. Talk about what indigenous people believe.
11. Give the meaning of indigenous culture.
12. Discuss the importance of indigenous culture.
13. Name some indigenous people's contribution to the country.
14. Enumerate some challenges faced by indigenous people's communities in the
Philippines.
15. Give some prevailing conceptions of IP communities toward education.
16. Discuss some of the educational challenges faced by the indigenous people.
Philippines Indigenous Communities - it refers to the indigenous groups in the
Philippines, their way of life, role in and contributions to Filipino society.
Indigenous People – in some regions it is also known as first people, aboriginal
people, native people or autochthonous people. They are ethnic groups who are the
original or earliest known inhabitants of an area which has later been settled,
occupied or colonized by other ethnicities more recently.
Indigenous - something or someone who is native to an area or who naturally
belongs there. Non-indigenous people are people without a relationship to the
human and non-human communities in particular places.
Indigenous Communities, people and nations – are those that, having a historical
continuity of pre-invasion and pre-colonial societies that developed on their
territories, consider themselves distinct from other sectors of the societies now
prevailing in those territories or parts of them.
Indigenous people – are inheritors and practitioners of unique cultures and ways of
relating to people and the environment. They have retained social, cultural,
economic and political characteristics that are distinct from those of the dominant
societies in which they live.
Second Meeting:
Hello everyone hope everybody is feeling fine today!!! We're going to continue
with our topic:

DEFINITION OF INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE

Indigenous knowledge is the basis for local level decision-making in food security,
human, animal health and other vital economic and social activities.
Local and Indigenous knowledge refers to the understanding, skills and
philosophies developed by societies with long histories of interaction with their
natural surroundings.
For rural and indigenous people , local knowledge informs decision-making about
fundamental aspects of day-to-day life. This knowledge is integral to a cultural
complex that also encompasses language, systems of classification, resource use
practices, social interactions, ritual and spirituality. These unique ways of knowing
are important facets of the world's cultural diversity and provide a foundation for
locally appropriate sustainable development.
IMPORTANCE OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLE KNOWLEDGE
The maintenance and protection of Indigenous traditional knowledge is crucial
to the maintenance of Indigenous culture. It is also valuable to development policy
and operations and the advancement of understandings of sustainability on a global
scale.
Importance of indigenous people
It helps to:
1. Protect our environment.
2. Fight climate change
3. Build resilience to natural disasters.
Reasons why we should all care about indigenous peoples:
1. Indigenous peoples and ethnic minorities are more likely to be poor.
2. While there have been advances, Indigenous Peoples and ethnic minorities
continue to face exclusion and marginalization and lack equal access to basic
services.
- Indigenous women are less likely to use health care facilities for childbirth
because of discrimination, mistreatment and lack of respect for cultural practices.
- IPs life expectancy is up to 20 years lower than the life expectancy of non-
indigenous people worldwide.
3. Indigenous Peoples help protect our environment, fight climate change, and build
resilience to natural disasters, yet their rights aren't always protected.
4. The benefits of working with native peoples include gaining an additional
constituency, recruiting personnel with profound knowledge of local areas and
learning about long-term resource strategies which have proven their adaptability
for thousands of years.
5. For native peoples, the benefits include legal recognition of ecologically-sound
traditional land-use practices, appropriate employment of their traditional lands and
new advocates at the national level.
Main Ethnic Groups
There are two main ethnic groups comprising several upland and lowland
indigenous tribes living in the Philippines- from the Northern and Southern part of
the Philippines.
The Indigenous people living in the Northern part of the country are called the
Igorots, whereas the non-Muslim indigenous tribes living in the South are referred
to as Lumad.
IGOROT PEOPLE
The Igorots are any of various ethnic groups in the mountains of Northern
Luzon, Philippines, all of whom have kept until recently, their
traditional religion and way of life. Some live in the tropical forests of the foothills,
but most live in rugged grassland and pine forest zones higher up.
The Igorots are an ethnic people of the Philippines, clustered in the Cordillera
region of Luzon. It is true that they are famous for rice-terrace farming but some of
them have been known to be cannibals in the past is an exaggeration which only
downgrades them.
The terms Igorots and Cordilleras are used to collectively refer to a number of
tribal groups including the Bontoc, Ibaloi, Ifugao, Apayao and Isneg, Kalinga and
Kankana-eys. The Igorots reside in the mountainous North and Central Luzon areas
in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR)
Igorots are a highland race and are well-adapted to life in raised altitudes. To
assure themselves a steady supply of crop, they even devised a way to carved
terraces at the sides of mountain, where they plant with various grains.
LUMADS
They are a group of Austronesian indigenous people in the Southern Philippines.
It is a Cebuano term meaning "native" or "indigenous". The term is short for
Katawhang Lumad (Literally: " indigenous people "), the autonym officially
adopted by the delegates of the Lumad Mindanao People Federation (LMPF)
founding assembly on June 26, 1986 at the Guadalupe Formation Center, Balindog,
Kidapawan, Cotabato, Philippines. It is the self-ascription and collective identity of
the indigenous peoples of Mindanao.
The assembly's main objective was to achieve self-determination and governance
for their member tribes within their ancestral domain in accordance with their
culture and customary laws. The Lumad have a traditional ancestral concept of land
ownership which is communal
private property.
Lumads have not succumbed to the modern ways of living up to this day. They
prefer to live in the mountain sides of Mindanao, living the traditional life. Their
beliefs can be seen through the ornaments of every woman and the woven dresses
they wear. They believe in spirits and Gods. There's a god for land, another for
water and another for harvest. For them, the mountain is scared. Death and illnesses
or bad faith is believed to be the god's way of showing anger.
Offering of live animals like pigs and chicken are common during tribal
ceremonies for a good harvest, health and protection, and thanksgiving pray and
meditate in mosques.
Congregational prayer is traditionally on Friday. They follow the 5 pillars of Islam,
which requires them to pray 5x a day. Another global practice of Islam is the
RAMADAM, where Muslims abstain from food, drink and sex. However this
practice is not binding to all Muslims; pregnant and old Muslims are exempted.
Probably one of the most important practices of Islam is the pilgrimage to Mecca.
In addition, Muslims also practice the charity tax. Islamic clothing and the wearing
of hijab is a must for Muslim women.
There are 18 Lumad ethnolinguistic groups namely:
Atta Manguwangan
Bagobo Manobo
Banwaon Mansaka
B'laan Subanon
Bukidnon Tagakaolo
Dibabawon Tasaday
Higaonon T'boli
Mamanwa Teduray
Mandaya Ubo
The dance called Lumad is a traditional dance performed by the indigenous
tribes of Southern Philippines, Mindanao islands. The lone male dancer seems to be
teasing the females in a ritual of sorts. This ritual is fast-paced and captivating in
every move.
MANOBO
 Manobo simply means "people" or "person", alternate names include Manuvu
and Minuvu. The term may have originated from " Mansuba" a combination of man
(people) and suba (rIver). Manobos are concentrated in Agusan, Bukidnon,
Cotabato, Davao, Misamis Oriental and Surigao del Sur.
The Ubo are a Manobo sub-tribe who inhabit the more isolated mountains of
Southwest Cotabato in the area known as Datal Tabayong, as well as, more
southerly Davao del Sur. As of last count, they numbered close to 17,000 (OSCC,
1987) ; a follow up on their numbers in, subsequent years has proved difficult
Known for their intricate casting, the Ubo fashion fine weaponry and jewelry that
they believe possess souls, making it harder for the maker to part with them.
Agriculturally, they practice swidden, a slash and burn farming, oft planting and
harvesting rice, root crops and vegetables for consumption. Like the Bogobo, the
Ubo believe in multiple deities headed by a central figure, Diwata (God). They're
animist, they also believe in ancestral spirits and unseen beings inhabiting the
animate and inanimate objects found throughout their environment In civic matters,
the political leader and Datu (Filipino Chieftain) of the village attains his position
by virtue of wealth; speaking ability and knowledge of customary law, known as
fendan. The primary obligation consists of settling disputes among members of a
family, neighbors and the community. When a fine is set and or imposed by the
Datu, the accused has to pay it to the aggrieved party; if he's unable to, then he will
become servant to the one who pays for him, otherwise known as dok.
Rice farming is their main livelihood, along with metalworking and
woodworking handicrafts.
Manobo dance and song is a form of worship to God by the Tigwahanon and
Tinananon Manobo tribes of Mindanao held at the Island Breeze gathering in
Davao City, Philippines.
BADJAO
The Badjaos are popularly known as the "Sea Gypsies" of the Sulu and Celebes
Sea. The name Badjao is a Malay-Bornean word which connotes "man of the seas"
or Orang Laut in Bahasa Malayo. Their Sama and Tausug neighbors call them by
pejorative names such as Samal Palau (outcast Samal). The Badjaos call themselves
as Sama Laus( Sea Sama). Many Badjaos live most of their lives in houseboats
which occasionally cluster at moorings near certain strands and beaches, so as to
business in nearby market places of the land-dwelling Sama and Tausug. In the
markets, they barter their sea products for such farm products as fruits and cassava.
On shore, they also fetch drinking water, gather firewood, and look for materials
needed in the construction or repair of their houseboats.
The Badjaos or sea gypsies inhabit the shores and waters of the Sulu
Archipelago. These groups of Badjaos may be classified according to lifestyle. The
Badjaos inhabiting Siasi Island are semi-sedentary, building stilt houses over the
water and engaging in fishing. The group in Sitangkai builds permanent homes on
the shore while the third group lives in houseboats called sakayan. The
stilt houses merely serve as temporary refuge during the time that their boathouses
undergo repairs. The other boats are called lipa, vinta, pelang and kumpit.
The Badjaos are found in many of the coastal settlements dotting the Sulu
archipelago, particularly in Jolo, Tawi-tawi and Sitangkai. Others are scattered in
Davao, Surigao, Zamboanga, Basilan, Bohol, Cebu and Manila in search of
livelihood. They are estimated to be 191, 817(OSCC, 1987). Their physical features
are distinctly attributable to their environment and mode of life. They have sturdy
built, dark brown skin, and bronze hair. Their manner of walking is affected to a
large extent by their crouching on boat stem while sailing or fishing.
The Badjaos are an oppressed tribe. They are referred to as palao or lumaan
( God forsaken) by the Tausugs. Badjaos developed sn inferiority towards the
Tausugs and Samals who always look down on them. They used to live on land but
the constant pressure on their safety by the other Muslim tribes forced them to seek
the sea. They eventually found that the sea afforded them greater avenues of escape
in the event of attack.
The sea environment shaped the Badjao attitude. They learned to exploit the sea
to their fullest advantage. Their prowess is in fishing and raising seaweeds and
oysters. Pear gathering is another occupation. They also gather sea products ( shells,
sea cucumbers, turtle eggs, etc) to sell at the market.
 The Badjaos speak a dialect of Sama language. Their livelihood is totally
dependent on the resources of the sea- fishes, seaweeds, shells and so forth, either
for food or to sell/barter for other necessities such as clothing, materials for boat
construction, matobes and fishing equipment. They are mostly seen sailing the seas
or resting at moorings in lagoons or the beaches and strands of smaller islands or
elsewhere along the coast of the Sulu Archipelago.
The ukkli refers to the art of wood carving combines stylized scrool, leaf and vine
elements.
The Igal or pangalay is the traditional dance movement of the Badjao has much
in common with the other ethnic dances of Sulu.
The palaw or houseboats are the permanent dwelling place or a temporary
lodging during fishing trips.
ATI AND TUMANDOK
One of the few clans in Visayas, the Ati and Tumandok tribes of Panay Island
are the 1st to call the island their home. Genetically related to other indigenous
groups in the country, they mostly resemble the Aetas or Negritos who are
characterized by their dark skin. The Atis have retained their dialect with traces of
the ancient terms of " Kinaray-a" and dialects of the present time" Hiligaynon".
Ati is the local term for their "dark brown" to "sooty black" skin color. They
have wavy to kinky hair, pug nose and thick lips. They are short in stature and
generally below five feet tall. Their physical appearance is genetically carried up to
the third or fourth generation even with mixed marriages. When the Spanish
colonizers came they called the indigenous peoples of the island Negritoes because
of their skin color. The colonizers also named the island Negros.
The Atis are scattered in the provinces of Aklan, Capiz, Antique, Iloilo Guimara,
Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental. The biggest population settled in Nagpana,
brgy Lipata, Barutac Viejo (Iloilo). Other bigger groups are found in
Hanti(Antique), Malay (Aklan) and Lambunao(Iloilo). The total population is
63,654 (OSCC, 1987)
 For economic survival, they are adept at hunting, fishing and food gathering.
They become the "mountain people" in escaping the civilizing process of the
colonist. They are perenially dependent on the yields of the forest, since they
practice no permanent agriculture.
Until the modern times the Atis have used the forest for indigenous medicines
as it yields medicinal roots, woodchips, shavings, gums, wines, leaves, seeds, barks
and herbs for curing kinds of sickness. They apply such herbs with corresponding
rituals.
Because they are nomadic, the Atis put up their dwellings in the form of a lean-
to or shack. During the olden times, most of the Atis went about naked. The
menfolk wore ubad to cover their private part, while the women wrapped their
lower torso with sahat leaving their breast exposed.
The Atis have an animistic religion. They believe in the existence of
Kalosonin( spirit of the forest) and the aswang (witch). They hold a unique wedding
rite on top of a hill. The bride is made to run 100 meters away from the groom.
Drums are sounded when the groom starts to pursue the woman.
PALAWAN TRIBES
Palawan, the largest province in the Philippines is home to several indigenous
ethnolinguistic groups namely the Kagayanen, Tagbanua, Palawano, Taaw't Bato,
Molbog and Batac tribes. They live in remote villages in the mountains and coastal
areas.
The recovery of the Tabon Man and other significant findings in the area earned for
Palawan the title, "the Cradle of Philippines Civilization". Research had shown that
the Tagbanua and Palawano are possible descendants of the Tabon Caves'
inhabitants. Their language and alphabet, farming methods and common belief in
soul relatives are some of their cultural similarities.
Batak
The Batak which means "mountain people" in Cuyunon is a group of
indigenous people that resides in the Northeast portion of Palawan. They live in the
rugged interiors of North eastern Palawan. Living close to nature, they are peaceful
and shy people. These people believe in nature spirits, with whom they
communicate through babaylan or medium.
Palaweno
Native- born lowland dwellers called themselves Palawenos include the
Cuyunon and Agutayanon subgroups. The Cuyunons originally from the island
town of Cuyo in Northern Palawan are condidered the elite class in this group. They
are religious, disciplined and have a highly developed community spirit. Their
conversion to Christianity had led to the merger of the animistic beliefs of the
Cuyunon with Christian elements to produce a folk Christianity which is the
prevailing belief of the Cuyunon. The Agutayanons practice a simpler island
lifestyle, with fishing snd farming as their main source of livelihood.
Palawano
The Palawan tribe also known as Pala'wan or Palawano is one of the
indigenous peoples of Palawan. They traditionally hunt using soars and bamboo
blowguns. They resemble the Tagbanwa and in the past they were doubtless the
same people. Some Tausug residents in Palawan call the Palawano, Traan, which
means people in scattered places. Like the Yakan of Basilan, the Palawano live in
houses of sight of each other, scattered among their plots of farm lands. Their main
occupation is subsistence farming, cultivating mainly upland rice. Their religion is a
mix of traditional animism with elements of Hinduism and Islamic belief. Some
have embraced Islam from their Southern Molbog and Palawani neighbors. A small
number of them are Protestant due to the recent missionary campaign.
Taaw't Bato
Taaw't Bato means " people of the rock". They are a small community of
traditional South western Palawanos who reside in the crater of an extinct volcano
during certain seasons of the year, in houses built on raised floors inside caves
though others have set their homes on the open slopes. They are still primitive in
their lifestyle even in the way of dressing. The men still wear g-strings made of
bark and cloth and the women wear a piece of cloth made into skirts to cover the
lower body. Both of them are half-naked, but sometimes women wear a blouse that
is not indigenous but obtained through the market system. They are swidden
cultivators, practicing multiple cropping with cassava as the major source of
carbohydrates. They also produce sweet potato, sugarcane, malunggay, garlic,
pepper, string beans, squash, tomato, pineapple, etc. Throughout the year hunting
and foraging are pursued to complement the carbohydrate diet of the people. Most
of the wild pigs are caught through spring traps. They also indulge in sambi (barter)
and dagang (monetary exchange). The trade is specifically for marine fish which the
people of Candawaga provide in exchange for horticultural products of the Taaw't-
Bato. The basic social unit among the Taaw' t- Bato of Singnapan is the ka- asawan
(marriage group). This extends from the basic couple, man and woman, to the more
complex arrangements of compound and extended family grouping. The
kaasawahan or household units are further grouped into larger associations called
bulun- bulun, which literally means "gathering". These multi-household bands are
physically bounded in the terms of areas of habitation. Each bulun -bulun ordinarily
occupies a single cave for residence, or a single house complex in the swidden area.
One thing clear is that membership in a bulun- bulun is characterized by the
ecosystem of sharing through different types of social and material exchanges, a
prominent example is the sharing of food.
 Tagbanwa
The Tagbanwa tribes or "people of the world" are found in Central and
Northern Palawan. They practice shifting cultivation of upland rice, which is
considered a divine gift and are known for their rice wine ritual called pagdiwata.
Central Tagbanwas are found in the Western and Eastern coastal areas of Central
Palawan. Shifting cultivation of upland rice is part of their cultural and economic
practices. Rice is considered a divine gift and is fermented to make rice wine.
The cult of the dead is the key to the religious system of the Tagbanwa. They
believe in several deities found in the natural environment. Their language and
alphabet, practice of kaingin and common belief in soul-relatives are part of their
culture. This group are excellent in basketry and wood carving. In addition, they are
also famous for their beautifully crafted body accessories. Their combs, bracelet,
necklaces and anklets are usually made of wood, beads, brass and copper.
Molbog
The Molbog people dominates the municipalities of Balabac and Bataraya in
Southern Palawan. They are the only indigenous people in Palawan where the
majority of its people are Muslims. The Molbog are known to have a strong
connection with the natural world, esp. with the sacred pilandok ( Phil. mouse-deer)
which can only be found in the Balabac islands. A Muslim tale tells the Philippines
mouse deer once tricked a prince into giving up his bag of gold and facing a hive of
angry bees. Another tale depicts him as a clever guardian of the environment, using
his wisdom as an advantage against those who destroy forests, seas and wildlife.
The coconut is especially important in Molbog culture as it is their most prized
agricultural crop.
KAGAYANEN
THE Kagayanen of the Phil. numbering 30,000 are no longer unreached. They
are part of the Filipino tribal people cluster within the Malay peoples, affinity bloc.
This people group is only found in the Phil. The primary religion practiced by
Kagayanen is marginal Christianity, a form of religion with roots in Christianity but
not theologically Christian.

MANGYAN
The Mangyans of Mindoro are well known clan in the Philippines because they
have the biggest populace. Comprising 8 different Mangyan groups, they have a
peaceful reputation, unlike the headhunting tribes of the North and warrior tribes
from the South. While some have already converted into Christianity, there's still a
large percentage of those who practice animistic religious beliefs.

MANGYAN
There are 8 different Mangyan groups ( Iraya, Alangan, Tadyawan, Tau-buid,
Bangon, Buhid, Hanunoo and Ratagnon) on the island of Mindoro.
Mangyan is the collective term used for the indigenous peoples found in
Mindoro.
Culture and Practices
Mangyans are skilled basket weavers and produce crafts of high quality.
They lived in peaceful societies as compared to the head hunting tribes of North
Luzon and the brave defiant warriors tribes of the South.
Mangyans are mainly subsistence agriculturist, planting a variety of sweet potato,
upland (dry cultivation) rice and taro. They also trap small animals and wild pig.
Many who live in close contact with lowland Filipinos sell cash crops such as
bananas and ginger.
 Mangyan cultural practices are in danger of vanishing because of the influence
of modern lowland culture. The literature and traditions of the different Mangyan
groups are short of documentation thus mainstream society lacks awareness of the
beauty of Mangyan culture and its relevance to Filipino culture as a whole.
Indigenous Mangyan Religion
They have complex spiritual belief system.
1. Mahal na Makaako- The Supreme Being who gave life to all human beings
merely by gazing at them.
2. Binayi - Owner of a garden where all spirits rest.
3. Binayo- A sacred female spirit, caretaker of rice spirits or the kalag paray. She is
married to the spirit Bulungabon. The kalag paray must be appeased to ensure a
bountiful harvest. It is for this reason that specific rituals are conducted in every
phase of rice cultivation. Some of this rituals include the panudlak, the rite of the
first planting; the right of rice planting itself and the rites of harvesting which
consists of the magbugkos or binding rice stalks with the pamag-uhan which
follows the harvest.

AETAS or NEGRITOS
The Aetas ( Agta or Ayta) are one of the earliest known inhabitants of the
Philippines who are now living in scattered mountainous areas of the country. They
were called by the Spanish colonizers as the "Negritos" because of their dark to
dark- brown skin. They are nomadic but very skilled in weaving and plaiting, and
Aeta women are considered experts in herval medicine. These Aetas
are nomadic and build only temporary lean-to shelters made of two folded sticks
driven to the ground and covered with palm of banana leaves. The more prosperous
and modernized Aetas have learned to live in villages on tablelands and mountain
clearings. They live in houses made of bamboo abd cogon grass. The Aetas senses
are highly developed. Their senses of direction and smell are extraordinary. They
can track down a snake by its smell and can identify different kinds of plants and its
flowering patterns. The entertainment fare of Aetas consists of songs and dances.
Their musical instruments are highly developed.