Chapter I.

Introduction: Indigenous People in the Philippines

 Geographical Location (17 Regions)
 Ethnic Groups of the Philippines
 Ethnicity
Duration: 2 weeks (6 hrs.)
Objectives: must have:
1. demonstrated deep understanding on ethic group and ethnicity;
2. shared views and perspective on the ethnicity and ethnic groups in the Philippines;
3. reflected on how the Philippines was able to firmly hold ethnic groups into one sovereign nation;
4. identified the different geographical locations of the indigenous people of the Philippines; and
5. familiarized the different ethnic groups in the Philippines.

Ethnic Group a community or population made up of people who share a common cultural background or descent.
Ethnicity the quality or fact of belonging to a population group or subgroup made up of people who share a common
cultural background or descent.

Discussion:
The Philippines consist of a large number of indigenous ethnic groups living in the country. They are descendants
of original inhabitants of the Philippines. they were not absorbed by centuries of Spanish and united states colonization
of the Philippines archipelago, and in the process have retained their customs and traditions.
In the 1990s, there were more than 100 highland tribal groups constituting approximately 3% of the population.
The upland tribal groups we a blend in ethnic origin like other lowland Filipinos, although they did not have contact
with the outside world.
Although not accurate, the population estimate of indigenous peoples in the Philippines is 12 million. Many of
them reside in the upland, while some are in coastal villages. The indigenous population is about 14% of the country’s
total population. The report of DE Vera (2007) notes that there are 110 indigenous groups in the Philippines, many of
which reside on the islands of Mindanao and Northern and Southern Luzon. The indigenous peoples are generally
dependent on agriculture, although some indigenous groups like those in the island provinces are dependent on
fishing. The Episcopal Commission on Tribal Filipinos (ECTF) distinguished approximately 40 ethno-linguistic groups
with a population of about 6.5 to 7.5 million (10-11% of the country’s population in 1995). The National Council of
Churches in the Philippines (NCCP) estimates some 60 such groups. The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples
(NCIP) identifies 95 distinct tribes, which includes the Islamic or Muslim groups, in 14 regions of the country with an
estimated population between 12-15 million (17-22% of the total population of 1995).

Indigenous Peoples/Indigenous - refer to a group of people sharing common bonds of language, customs,
traditions, and other distinctive cultural traits.
Henry Otley Beyer - He is known as the father of Philippine Anthropology.

The Ethnic Groups of the Philippines

Region I and CAR
 Northern Mountain Ranges of the Cordillera are home to the Tingguian, Isneg, northern Kalinga, Bontoc,
Sagada, Ifugao, Southern Kalinga, Ibaloi, and Kankanaey. These groups occupy the watershed areas near the
Abulag,
tineg and Chico rivers, or interior of the hills, narrow strips of flat land along deep valleys and plateaus.
Ethnic Group Description
Bontoc Tribe A feared war-like group of indigenous who actively indulged in tribal wars with its neighbors
up until the 1930s. every Bontoc male had undergo a rites of passage into manhood, which
may include head hunting, where the male has to journey (Sometimes with companions)
and hunt for a human head.
Ifugao Call themselves as i-pugao, and Yfugao. They live primarily in the province of Ifugao in
Central Cordillera, in Northern Luzon.
Kalinga Esteemed as “the strong people of the Cordilleras”, Kalingans, simultaneously, profoundly
cherish family and kinship. A Kalinga household consists of a nuclear family and sometimes,
an aged grandparent; generally speaking, they show great respect towards elders and, are
clannish. Thus, the household of the kinship circle, and territory region are significant units
of Kalinga society.
Ibaloi Or Nabaloi is an indigenous ethnic group found in the northern Philippines. The ibaloi are
one of the indigenous peoples collectively known as Igorot, who live in the mountains of the
Cordillera Central on the island of Luzon.
Sagada Led by the elders and followed by the younger men of sagada. Famous for its hanging
coffins. This is a traditional way of burying people that is still utilized. Not everyone is
qualified to be buried this way; among other things, one had to have been married and had
grandchildren.
Region II
 The Cagayan Valley and Carabblo range are home to the Ibanag, Itawes, Yogad, Gaddang, Ilongot, Ikahan,
Isinai, and some Aeta groups.
Ethnic Group Description
Ibanag Some words in their language was adopted from Spanish words that’s why some Spanish
words have the equivalent meaning in Ibanag. Ibanag is one of the sweetest and soft
spoken tribes in the Philippines.
Itawes They are respectful, most especially to women and solicitous to their young also, humble,
industrious, patient, and preserving. Itawes are cooperative, kind, charitable, tactful, and
prudent in their speech.
Gaddang Their names derive from a combination of ga “heat” and dang “burned”, hence, they have
a darker complexion compared to other people of the Cordilleras. Christians stereotype
them as “untamed” and dangerous; in reality, they’re of a calmer disposition compared to
neighboring tribes.
Ilongot Members of the Ilongot tribe are probably the closest things to real life Tarzans. They are a
forest people that live in Nueva Viscaya Province, also known as iibalao, ibilaw, ilungut,
iyongot, lingotes, they are former headhunters and live in an enclave and have resisted
attempts to assimilate them.
 Isinai Is a small indigenous group living in the municipalities of Bambang and Nueva Viscaya. As
the Spanish conquistador came to secure their foothold on their local lands in the 16 th
century, the Isinai communities became one of the first witnesses and victims of the fight.
However, as centuries came and passed, the people remained alive with colorful cultural
treasures they kept from their ancestors.

Region III
Ethnic Group Description
Yogad The yogad have physical features similar to Indonesians, brown-colored skin with deep set
eyes, males are usually stocky and well-built due to being natural hunters. They are also
warriors which the Spaniards had trouble conquering before so they made them the elites
of the society.
Ikalahan Ikalahan culture is characteristically that of the Cordillera with involved rituals and animal
sacrifices and prestige feast (padit) of men which are held for days accompanied by the
sacrifice of prescribed sets of animals. Like the I’wak, meat is consumed principally during
rituals and is meticulously shared.
 The Sierra Madre range are also home of the ibanag, itawes, Yogad, Gaddang, Ilongot, Ikalahan, Isinai, and
some Aeta groups.
Region IV
Ethnic Group Description
Mangyan Groups They accept peaceful submissiveness when they encounter lowland settlers, missionaries,
traders and government officials. Mangyan are mainly subsistence agriculturists, planting a
variety of sweet potato, upland (dry cultivation) rice, and taro. They also trap small animals
and wild pig.
Tagbanua Tagbanua are possible descendants of the Tabon Man, thus making them one of the
original inhabitants of the Philippines. They are a brown-skinned, slim, and straight-haired
ethnic group.
Batak Also called tinitianes, the Batak are considered by anthologist to be closely related to the
Aeta of Central Luzon, another Negrito Tribe. They tend to be small in stature, with dark
skin and short curly or “Afro-textured hair”, traits which originally garnered the “Negrito”
groups their name.
Palawanon Also known Palaw’an Tribe, is an indigenous ethnic group found in Palawan. the Palaw’ans
have an animistic belief system, believing that all living things have a soul and that humans
should do our best to live in harmony with animals, plants, and nature.
Cuyunon Is the most dominant tribal group although scattered throughout the province. During
Spanish colonization of the Philippine, Cuyo was one of the territories of Palawan that had
the strongest Spanish presence, even being the capital of the entire Palawan province as
one point.
 The Pacific coast of Quezon province, and the islands of Polillo and Alabat are the home of different agta
groups. The island of Mindoro is the home of seven Mangyang groups: Iraya, Alanagan, Tadyawan, Tao-buid,
Buhid, Hinunoo, and Gubatnon. Theisland of Palawan is the home of the Tagbanua, Batak, Palawanon and
Cuyunon.
Region V
Ethnic Group Description
Kabihug Which literally means “friend” is a culture minority believed to be of the pre-historic origin.
By nature, this group is itinerant; moves from one place to another that is why they don’t
settle permanently. For their subsistence and livelihood, the kabihugs grow root crops, rice
and vegetables in their farm.
Agta/Aeta/Itom Are characterized by their skin color, height, and hair type. They mostly have dark to dark-
brown skin, curly hair, and are usually below five-feet tall. Traditionally, Aetas/Agta are
hunting and gathering indigenous people.
 The mountains of Bicol Peninsula are the home of different Agta groups: Kabihug of Camarines Norte, Agta
Tabangnon, Agta Cimarron, and Itom (Camarines Sur, Albay, and Sorsogon).
Region VI
 The interior foothills and remote coastal areas of Panay and Negros Islands are the home of the Sulod and the
Ati.
Ethnic Group Description
Sulod Are the most populous of the varied cultural-linguistic groups inhabiting the mountain of
Central Panay: Tapaz, Capiz. The Sulod were known for their practice keeping “binukot”,
hiding their beautiful women in closed rooms away from eyes of any man.
Ati The original tribal people of panay. The younger ati’s tend to have lighter skin and
straighter hair than their elders. Many of them continue to live a nomadic lifestyle and
subsist through fishing, hunting in the jungle, or gathering herbs that can be used as
medicines.

Mindanao
 The hinterlands and coastal lowlands of the Zamboanga peninsula, the plateaus of Bukidnon, the upper
headwaters of the Davao, Tinanan, and kulaman rivers, the coastal areas along the Davao Gulf and the interior
hinterlands of Southeastern Mindanao are the home of the lumads. “Lumad” is the generic term used to refer
to the indigenous peoples of Mindanao. They are considered to comprise the largest number of indigenous
peoples in the country. The 18 groups that compose the lumad include the following: Subanen, B’laan, T’boli,
Mandaya, Mansaka, Tiruray, Higaonon, Manobo, Bagobo, Bukidnon, Tagakaolo, Ubo, Banwaon, Kalagan,
Dibabawon, Talaandig, Mamanwa and Manguangan.
Ethnic Group Description
Subanen Also known Subanon, they cultivate crops, with rice as the most important crop, but they
are also known to raise livestock including pigs, chicken, cattle, and water buffaloes.
Subanon houses are built along hillsides and ridges overlooking family fields. The homes
are usually rectangular and raised on stilts with thatched roofs.
T’boli The T’boli distinguish themselves from other tribal groups by their colorful clothes,
bracelets and earrings, this tribe is famous for their complicated beadwork, wonderful
woven fabrics and beautiful brass ornaments. A t’boli legend tells that are descendants of
 the survivors of a great flood.
Bagobo They are short and slim, broad headed and of a light reddish-brown complexion. These
characteristics are said to be common to all the tribes about the Gulf of Davao; through
individuals are found, especially toward the interior, who show marked traces of
intermarriage with Negritos.
Manobo A Manobo Community is mostly male dominated; the man is considered as the one who will
make the family decisions. The Manobo are both strong mind and spirit, their culture
identity is firmly rooted in the land and its nature.
Tiruray As a people, the tiruray are distinctive in terms of ethnic art and craft. Their basketry is
among the most intricately woven in the country, often profusely covered with
characteristics design motifs. Their horse-hair ornaments, earrings, pendants, neck pieces
are clearly representative of the material culture.