Indigenous Peoples in the Philippines physical similarities with the pygmies of Africa,

they are completely unrelated in terms of

Ethno-linguistic Groupings genetics.
• The IPRA identifies 8 ethnographic regions in
thecountry, namely: the Cordillera Administrative ✓ Caraballo people these are the five
Region (CAR), II, Region III and Rest of Luzon, (5)ethnolinguistic groups – Ibanag, Ilongot,
Region I, Region Island Group, Southern and Gaddang, Ikalahan, and Isinai who together with
Eastern Mindanao, Central Mindanao, and the Aeta people inhabit the Caraballo mountain
Northern and Western Mindanao. range in Eastern Central Luzon. This range
• These ethnographic regions were designated connects the provinces of Nueva Ecija, Nueva
by the Government primarily for administrative Vizcaya and Quirino.
purposes and for representation in its National
Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), The indigenous groups near the Visayan region
ethno-linguistic rather than groupings. – mostly in Mindoro are called Mangyan.
✓ Mangyan of Mindoro is a generic name for
Indigenous Peoples in the Philippines the 8 ethno-linguistic groups spread over the
(Luzon) mountains and foothills of Mindoro namely
✓ Igorot indigenous peoples of the Cordillera Batangan, Iraya, Hanunoo, Alangan, Ratagnon,
mountain range in northern Luzon. Buhid and Tadyawan.
Igorot is derived from the i- (people from) and • They are described as the first inhabitants
prefix golot (mountain) to literally mean “people island and until today, they are one of groups
from the mountains.” that still practice a pre-Spanish of the the few
form of writing.
The Igorot make up 99 per cent of the
population Cordillera region and in the live in ✓ Palawan Hill tribes the non-Muslim tribal
the highlands, foothills, plateaus and river people of Palawan island located further west of
valleys of the Cordillera mountain range. Mindoro. This group is composed of four (4)
currently total in population about 1.5. ethnic groups such as Cuyonon, Calamianes
Tagbanua, Batak, and Ken-uy. They are atleast
✓ Cordillera people indigenous population of 120,000 in population.
the Cordillera mountain ranges, which covers
six (6) provinces in the middle of Northern Indigenous Peoples in Mindanao
Luzon – Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao, There is some difference people in Mindanao –
Kalinga and Mountain Province. practice Islam the Moro and between the
• There are eight (8) main ethno-linguistic Lumad. The Moro the Lumad do not.
groups in the Cordillera namely: Aeta, Bontoc, • Moro is a Spanish term for the word “Moor”
Isnag, Kalinga, Kankanaey, Tingguian, which means Muslims in general.
Yapayao, Ibaloi and Ifugao. • Lumad is a Visayan term meaning native,
indigenous, “of the land”.
✓ Negrito the term “Negrito” is a Spanish
word, adiminutive of the word Negro. Negritos ✓ Moro there are 7 ethnic groups among the
refers to a large group of indigenous tribes in Muslims inthe Mindanao-Sulu area.
Philippines. • These are Maguindanao, Yakan, Samal, the
• It includes the Aeta, Ati, Ayta, Dumagat and 25 Maranaw, Tausug, Iranun and Kalagan.
more subgroups called the Agta, tribes from the
Philippines. ✓ Lumad term to indigenous Mindanao, the
• Although the Negritos of the Philippines largest indigenous number peoples in the
possess some country.
There are eighteen (18) major Lumad groups Maria “Apo Whang-od’ Oggay--} Legendary
namely: Subanen, B’laan, T’boli, Mandaya, Tattoo Artist
Mansaka, Tiduray, Higaonon, Manobo, Macli-ing Dulag –} Defender of Ancestral Lands
Bagobo, Bukidnon, Tagkaolo, Ubo, Mateo Carino –} TrailblazingLeader
Banwaon, Kalagan, Dibabawon, Talaandig, Gabriela Silang –} National Heroine and
Mamanwa and Manguangan. Revolutionary Lead

To simplify, be clustered as follows:the Lumad BONTOC

may the Manobo cluster, the Blaan-T’Boli-
Tiduray cluster, the Mandaya-Mansaka cluster, Other Name/s –} Ifuntok
the Subanen who live largely in the areas of the Etymology
Zamboanga hinterlands and coastal Peninsula; “bun” which means heap and ‘tuk’which means
the Higaonon or “mountain the plateaus of top
Bukidnon; and dwellers” in the Mamanwa in Groups –} One of the main groups of Igorot
Surigao del Norte (Erni 2008). Geographical Location –} Bontoc, Mountain
Province
IGOROT
CHARACTERISTICS
Etymology a. Most aggressive IP group of the Igorot cluster;
i’ which means people and‘ golot’ which means b. Famous for headhunting that they
mountains practiceprimarily as a form of
retribution/revenge;
Groups c. For the women, tattoos (fatek) signifies
Collective name or term, composed of eight (8) readiness for
main groups namely, Bontoc, Ifugao, Kalinga, marriage;
Isnag, Yapapao, Ibaloi, Tingguian and d. Characterized by being a verytraditional
Kankanaey society, exhibited by their social classes
(kachangyan, wad-ay
Geographical Location ngachana and pusi/lawa);
Northern Luzon (Cordillera Administrative e. Remains to be a very egalitarian society, with
Region) the men and the women treated on equal
footing.
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS
a. Agriculture/Farming is their primary source of KALINGA
Livelihood; –} kalinga which means enemy, fighter or
b. They are fond of body ornaments, such as headtaker
tattoos; –} Kalinga
c. They share similar clothing, tapis and bahag, –} One of the main groups of Igorot
but each subgroup has a different term for it;
Characteristics
a. Tattoo for men must be earned. It means
d. They share the same belief in ANIMISM or bravery and courage. For the women, it
the belief that all things in nature have a spirit or symbolizes fertility. Therefore, women without
soul; tattoos, whom they call dinuras, are seen as
e. They are polytheistic, with Kabunian as their infertile, imperfect and are shamed in the
supreme deity; community;
f. All groups have a history of headhunting. b. Headhunting is primarily practiced to gain
leadership positions;
Prominent Figures c. Houses indicate economic status of a clan;
d. Famous for their tradition of PAGBABATOK c. Headhunting is practiced to end the period of
or hand-tapped tattooing. mourning;
d. Known for their practice called ALIMBAN,
IBALOI wherein unmarried women are isolated from the
–} i’ which means people and ‘baloi’ which rest of the community;
means house e. Famous for natural dye-making called
–} Benguet AGKULOL.
–} One of the main groups of Igorot

Characteristics MORO
a. Famous for their cultural practice called Etymology
MUMMIFICATION, wherein they preserve the –} ‘moor’ which means Muslims
dead by smoking and dehydrating the body; –} Mindanao
b. Headhunting is practiced for a bountiful –} Collective Name/Term, composed of 7 major
harvest; ethno-linguistic groups
c. Their tattoos are distinctive because of the
design called BURIK, characterized by its wheel- Characteristics
like pattern. Tattoos are seen as magical bodily a. They are Muslims;
accessories. b. Their life is heavily influenced by the Islamic
principles;
ISNAG c. Has a long history of resistance against
Etymology Spanish, American and Japanese colonial rule,
–} ‘is’ which means recede and ‘ uneg’ which fighting for independence.
means interior d. Allows polygamy and divorce.
–} Apayao
–} One of the main groups of Igorot TAUSUG
–} Other Name/s Isneg Etymology
–} ‘tau’ which means person and ‘suug’ which is
Characteristics the old name of Jolo
a. Characterized by their big boat-like houses –} Jolo, Sulu
which they call BINURON; –} One of the main groups of the Moros
b. Headhunting is practiced as a symbol of
adulthood; Characteristics
b. Famous for their burial practice called a. First IP group to be converted to Islam;
IKAMEN, wherein they wrap the dead in a mat b. Most aggressive IP the Moro cluster;
and placed it in a jar, along with some items c. They still practice Sanduguan/Blood Compact
which may be useful for the dead in his/her as a sign of bond and friendship;
journey in the afterlife. d. Same with the Badjao, they are famous for
their traditional dance called PANGALAY,
TINGGUIAN characterized by the use of janggay (metal/gold
–} ‘tingue’ which means mountaineers nails) and its emphasis on finger and hand
–} Abra movements.
–} One of the main groups of Igorot
–} Other Name/s Itneg BADJAO
–} ‘bajau’ which means sea nomads
Characteristics –} Shores and Coastal areas in Mindanao
a. Their social status is hereditary; –} One of the main groups of the Moros
b. Tattoos are indication of social status;
Characteristics
a. Considered to be the poorest and the most a. An IP group which still remains to be a royal-
marginalized IP group in the Philippines heavy community (Sultanate of Maguindanao
b. Known to be the best free-divers in the world b. They are known for their distinguished skill in
c. Famous for their traditional attire that they the realm of VISUAL ARTS and TRADE;
wear over their normal clothes, which they call c. Famous for their RIDDLES which is a part of
PATADYONG, characterized by its big size and their casual conversation and is also a sign of
can be used for various purposes; friendship;
d. Famous for their colorful, small boats called d. Known for their traditional dance called
VINTAS; SAGAYAN, a Philippine war dance which is a
d. Same with the Tausug, they are famous for tribute to the cultural hero, Prince Bantugan.
their traditional dance called PANGALAY,
characterized by the use of janggay (metal/gold BUGKALOT
nails) and its emphasis on finger and hand –} “Ka-lot” which means “ interweave” or “
movements. interwoven”
–} Nueva Ecija, Nueva,Vizcaya and Aurora
MARANAO –} One of the main groups of the Caraballo
–} ‘ranao’ which means lake –} Other Name Ilongot
–} Lanao del Sur and Lanao del Norte
–} One of the main groups of the Moros Characteristics
–} Place of Worship–} Lake Lanao a. Most aggressive IP group of the Caraballo
cluster;
Characteristics b. The only IP group in the Caraballo group with
a. The largest ISLAMIC IP group in the a history of headhunting, which they practice as
Philippines; a part of their death ritual and also a form of
b. An IP group which still remains to be a royal- dowry before marriage;
heavy community (Sultanate of Lanao) c. There is a higher being that they respect the
c. Lake fishing is their primary source of most, named BINANGONAN
livelihood; c. Famous for their burial practice wherein the
d. Famous for their traditional attire called dead is buried in sitting position, tied together
MALONG and their traditional dance, SINGKIL, and burned to keep the spirits from roaming.
which is their adaptation of the longest epic in
the world, Ramayana. IVATAN
e. SARIMANOK is considered to be their most –} ‘i’ which means people and ‘batan’
important symbol, which is reflected in all of their –} Batanes
rituals and handicrafts; –} Not included in any of the major
f. Famous for their unique design called UKKIL classifications of IP’s
or OKIR, characterized by geometric shapes
and patterns; Characteristics
a. Migrants from Taiwan;
MAGUINDANAON b. Their culture is heavily influenced by their
Etymology changing climate;
–} ‘magig’ which means people and ‘danaw’ c. Easily recognized because of their physical
which means flood plains characteristic (narrow eyes and a slouchy back);
–} Maguindanao d. Recognizable because of their unique
–} One of the main groups of the Moros headgear
–} Place of Worship –} Pulangi River Valley (vakul for women and talugong for men). They
also carry with them a basket called yuvuk;
Characteristics e. Famous for their stone houses called
sinadumparan.
 *observed not by all, but by MOST Negrito
MANGYAN groups
–} Mindoro a. They represent the most ancient civilization in
–} Collective Name/Term, composed of 8 main the
groups namely, Hanunuo, Buhid, Tadyawan, country;
Ratagnon, Alangan, Iraya, Bangon and b. They share the same phenotype/physical
Batangan characteristics;
–} The etymology of the term “Mangyan” is c. They are a NOMADIC, HUNTING-
unclear. It may have been formed by the prefix GATHERING group;
mang (“one from a certain place”) and the root d. They are ANIMISTIC in nature;
word yan (“that place”). e. They are BILINGUALS, which means that
they can speak and understand not just their
General Characteristics own Negrito language.
a. Agriculture/Farming is their primary source of
livelihood; AETAS
b. They are known to be tobacco pipe smokers; –} It's possible that "Aeta" is derived from the
c. Early marriages are a common practice; Malay term "itam," which means "black, " or from
d. They believe that curses, e.g. illnesses and its cousin in the Philippine languages, "itom or
no harvest, are bestowed to them by their gods itim," which means "black."
as punishment; –} Mountainous Areas in Central Luzon
e. Mahal na Makaako is their supreme deity. –} One of the main groups of Negrito

HANUNUO Characteristics
–} “Hanunuo ” which means “truly, real,” or a. Formerly occupying Zambales area, but were
“genuine.” forced to look for new settlements because of
–} Oriental Mindoro the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo in 1991;
–} One of the main groups of Mangyan b. Famous for their cultural practice called
BODY SCARIFICATION, wherein they
Characteristics intentionally wound themselves to develop
a. The IP group who still maintains a century- scars.
old, pre-colonial form of writing called the
HANUNUO DUMAGAT- REMONTADOS
SCRIPT/SURAT MANGYAN; –} ‘remotar’ which means to flee or go back
b. Believes that the Earth has borders; –} Quezon and Rizal Provinces
c. Famous of their practice of honoring the dead, –} One of the main groups of Negrito
called
KUTKOT, wherein they literally dig up the Characteristics
remains of the dead, perform rituals over it a. The basis of leadership is seniority;
before it will be transferred to another place. b. They believe in a supreme being and creator
of all things whom they call Makidepet or
NEGRITO Makedyepet;
–} Scattered on various parts of the Philippines c. They have remarkable courtship practices;
(majority are in Luzon) d. Famous for their cultural practice called
–} Collective Name/Term, composed of 32 main DENTAL FILING, wherein they blacken and
groups sharpen their teeth.
–} The term is coined from the Spanish word
‘negro’ which means black.

Characteristics