DISCIPLINE AND IDEAS IN THE SOCIAL SCIENCES

Grade QUARTER 2 – MODULE 2

12
INDIGENOUS PEOPLE’S TRADITION AND CULTURE IN THE PHILIPPINES
INTRODUCTION (What I Need to Know)

As part of maturity, there are some inquiries lingering in your mind that will started to develop personal
awareness. Social issues for instance happened and exist with different views, and condition. You will become open-
minded at all times for what is occurred in our surroundings, adopt and relate to our day-to-day ways of living.
Significantly, you could only find solutions to both inquiries through interrogation and communication by means of social
integration.

In this module, you will study the roles and significance of Filipino’s indigenous social ideas that contributes to
national development.

(MELC) Most Essential Learning Competency:

Evaluate the roles and significance of Filipino’s indigenous social ideas to national
development.

At the end of the modules, you should be able to:

a. determine the notable roles of selected indigenous people;
b. understand the culture of the selected indigenous people that contributes to national
development;
c. value indigenous traditions and culture among Filipinos towards social development.

DISCUSSIONS AND ACTIVITIES (What is it)

Indigenous people’s tradition and culture in the Philippines

Indigenous peoples, also referred to as First peoples, Aboriginal peoples, Native peoples, or autochthonous
peoples, are ethnic groups who are native to a particular place on Earth and live or lived in an interconnected relationship
with the natural environment for many generations prior to the arrival of non-Indigenous peoples. It also refers to a group
of people sharing common bond of language, customs, and traditions and other distinctive cultural traits. (wikipedia.org)

Indigenous peoples’ communities can be found in the interiors of Luzon, Mindanao and some islands of Visayas.
They continued to live in their relatively isolated, self – sufficient communities at the time when most lowland
communities had already been integrated into a single colony under the Spain in the 1700s and 1800s.

They were able to preserve the culture and traditions of their “ethnos” or “tribe” as reflected in their communal
views on land, their cooperative work exchanges, their communal rituals, songs, dances, and folklore. Instead of
hierarchical governments, each of these communities had its own council of elders who customarily settled clan or tribal
war to restore peace and unity.
But with the long years of colonial rule in the Philippines, from 1700s to 1900s and the influx of migrants into indigenous
peoples’ territories, many influences have been introduced that gradually changed indigenous way of life . [ CITATION
Val18 \l 1033 ]

Cordillera Peoples: An indigenous population of the Cordillera mountain range, which covers six provinces in the middle
of Northern Luzon – Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, and Mountain Province. They are collectively called Igorots,
meaning “mountain people”. There are eight ethno – linguistic groups in the Cordillera, namely, Bontoc, Isneg, Kalinga,
Kankanaey, Tingguian, and Yapayao, Ibaloi, Ifugao.

People from Cordillera Mountains in Luzon are broadly known as Igorot. They are from the northern part of the
country.

They are popularly known for being rice cultivators. An assortment of the group called the
Ifugaos built the Banaue Rice Terraces – designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1995 as
“a living cultural landscape of unparalleled beauty”. Igorot is a primitive ethnic group in the
Philippines. The Igorots' culture and traditions are popular because of their clothes, living
among the root crops, and the many prayers for marriage, travel, and farming.

COSTUME AND TRADITION

We are familiar with their clothing. In their attire, women wear colorful skirts or long skirts,
necklaces, and pots. Men wear long strips of handwoven loincloth.
It is important for them to have "tattoos" on the body as they symbolize the bravery and
1 clothes. Since they
reputation of one of their society. They are very careful in choosing modern
were raised, they would love their custom more.
POLITICS

The Igorots are seeking autonomy from the Philippine archipelago of 7,107 island. Their reasons for seeking
autonomy in the Northern Cordillera region includes:

 The establishment of a stronger identity among the people of the Northern Cordillera Region
 Non-compensation for natural resources
 Stringent government control of abundant natural resources

ECONOMICS

Economic poverty is just one type of poverty that the Igorots are facing -- where land is considered to be a valuable
asset and the Igorots don't have access to their land. The Igorots also face social poverty, where they are socially excluded
and considered to be very a primitive and backward tribe due to their occupation that includes planting and harvesting,
trading, howling, hunting, sale, weaving, farming. They consider themselves to be a tribe who are able to “address
invisible powers, ancestors and gods” (Kohen, 70). The third dimension of poverty that they are facing is political poverty –
where it is very difficult for them to participate in democratic systems of the country such as voting. This is a reality that
the tribe faces. [ CITATION Lop20 \l 1033 ]

SOCIAL

Like other ethnic groups, the Igorot are also rich in rituals. Many of their prayers are about abortion, wedding
rituals, and procreation. There are parts in it that spirits think they are saving in one. In addition, warfare, worship
devotion, career choice, or travel have a list of prayers or Cultural elements common to the Igorot peoples as a whole
include metalworking in iron and brass, weaving, and animal sacrifice. They believe in spirits, including those of
ancestors, and have complex rituals to propitiate them. There are no clans or tribes, and political organization is generally
limited to the village level. Kinship is traced on both the paternal and the maternal sides, extending as far as third
cousins. Orientations that need to be done through their leader.
[ CITATION Mar20 \l 1033 ]

The Igorot tribes of the Mountain Province have a wedding practice called the “trial marriage.” The Sagada Igorot,
for instance, have a ward or “Dap-ay” where boys at an early age live and sleep with their agemates. This ward is
connected to one or more girls’ dormitories called “ebgan” used for courtship. In this dormitory, the girls gather at night to
sleep and to be visited by their suitors. When a boy develops a real attachment to a girl, they live together in a trial
marriage until the girl becomes pregnant. The young man then sends gifts to the girl’s family. Chickens are sacrificed and
omens are read. When all the signs are favorable, the wedding ceremonies take place. In these ceremonies, the couple
drink from the same cup, eating rice together, and make rice offerings. [ CITATION Her00 \l 13321 ]

Successful Igorot

A new recruit in the Philippine military who battled in Marawi back in 2017 were among the three
recipients of the second highest military medal for combat. Private Jerry N. Wassig from Kalinga was
awarded with the The Distinguished Conduct Star (DCS) which is the second highest military award in the
Armed Forces. Source: inquirer.net

Whang-od Oggay, also known as Maria Oggay, is a Filipino tattoo artist from
Buscalan, Tinglayan, Kalinga, Philippines. She is often described as the "last" and
oldest mambabatok and is part of the Butbut people of the larger Kalinga ethnic
group. Source: ptama.net

A Cordilleran Captain was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Star by President

Rodrigo Roa Duterte during the 84th Anniversary of the Armed Forces of the
Philippines (AFP) at the Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo in Quezon City on
December 17, 2019. Captain Rico Tagure led the successful rescue of a British man
and his Filipina wife who were abducted by ASG last month . Source: WowCordillera.

Rhicel Gonzales Sapasap of Saint Louis University graduate topped the

Architect Licensure Examination held on January 24 and 26, 2020 with
a rating of 84 percent. Source: GMA News

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Caraballo Tribes: These are the five ethno linguistic groups – Ibanag, Ilongot, Gaddang, Ikalahan and Isinai – who
together with the Agta peoples inhabit the Caraballo mountain range in Eastern Central Luzon. This range connects the
provinces of Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino and Nueva Ecija.

SOCIAL
Also known for their cultures and beliefs, their traditions were passed on through generation to generation that
until now our generation still believe and apply it to our everyday life. And as this millenials enlarge, their knowledge
become more vast and these beliefs are: the night before the wedding the man should go to the house of the woman and
bring: Banig, bigas, baboy, kabinet, and kabang. The man should bring all of these because they said that the man
should provide their needs as a married couple. The night before the wedding the man should go to the house of the
woman and the man should ask for the approval of the parents of his soon to be wife and they also said that the man
should provide the needs of his family. [ CITATION Gat17 \l 13321 ]

AGTA and AETA/NEGRITO:

The term Negrito is a Spanish word, a diminutive of the word Negro. In this case, Negritos
refers to a large group of indigenous tribes in Philippines. It includes the subgroups
called the Agta, Aeta, Ati, Ayta, Dumagat, and 25 more tribes from the Philippines.
Although the Negritos of the Philippines possess some physical similarities with the
pygmies of Africa, they are completely unrelated in terms of genetics.

These short, dark-skinned and kinky-haired peoples are considered the earliest inhabitants of
the Philippines. Aside from having been perpetually pushed into the hinterlands of Central
Luzon, mainly in the provinces of Zambales, Bataan and Pampanga, and in other parts of
country, they also suffer from racial discrimination. With a population of about 160,000, they
are the most widely distributed among indigenous people. As for their clothing, they wear plain
and simple attire. Traditional Aetas, wear wrap around skirts or bark cloth (for women) and loin
cloths for men.

CULTURE AND TRADITION

Traditionally, Aetas are hunting and gathering indigenous people. They’re actually among the most skilled when it
comes to jungle survival – they are even able to make use of plants as herbal medicine and possess tools and weapons.
While they’re nomadic, they are able to build temporary houses made of sticks. They are also into music and the arts –
making use of ornaments as accessories and have ensembles of instruments to create melodious rhythms. Because they
are usually scattered in mountainous areas, the Spaniards had a hard time introducing Catholicism to their population.
They mostly resisted to change, which made it difficult for the Spanish to colonize their areas. This is also one of the
reasons why they were able to preserve their cultural traditions and beliefs through to today. Most Aetas also go to school
nowadays. In the Philippines, Aetas as well as other indigenous groups, belong to the marginalized sector of the country.
They’re often displaced because their homelands have been destroyed due to illegal logging, mining, and slash-and-burn
farming. Thus, these situations have forced them to relocate and leave their ancestral lands. [ CITATION iwg19 \l 13321 ]

SOCIAL
Most Aetas practice monotheism and are animists. They worship a Supreme Being and at the same time, also
believe in environmental spirits. They believe that various places in our environment are being governed by both good and
evil spirits. The Aetas of Zambales, have a totally different set of wedding practices. In the wedding ceremony, the couple
eats from the same plate and they take turns feeding each other. Although monogamy is the rule in the Aetas’ culture, a
man is allowed to have more than one wife if he can accumulate enough “bandi” or bride price. This bride price may
include arrows, bows, bolos or large knives, cloth, and money. The wedding day can only be fixed when the bride’s family
is paid the bride price.The Aetas practice divorce. The bride price is returned to the man if the bride is at fault. However, it
is forfeited if the man is responsible for the marital break-up . [ CITATION Gat17 \l 13321 ]
Successful Aeta

A young man-made history after he mounted the stage of the

University of the Philippines-Manila as the first Aeta who graduated
from the prestigious state-run school.
Norman King, who recently earned his degree in Behavioral
Sciences, proudly wore the famous bahag or clothing used by
indigenous tribes during commencement ceremonies.
(https://www.manilatimes.net/2017/06/28/news/top-stories/meet-first-aeta-graduate-manila/335274/

PHOTO BY AXL CAESAR MARCELO OFRECIO

Teacher Gennie Panguelo achieved her dreams as she passed the Elementary LET on her 25th try in . She is
beyond grateful for her CBRC and DepEd families. The inspiring teacher also gave a message to those aspiring
Photo Courtesy: Facebook/ Gennie PangueloLET examinees who have failed the board too. (www.summitexpress.com)

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Visayas the “Mangyan” People

The indigenous groups in the Visayas – mostly in Mindoro – are called Mangyan. Again, there are many ethnic
groups such the Tadyawan, Tagbanwa, Palawano, Molbog and Kagayanan.
Mangyan of Mindoro: This is
MANGYAN: It is a common name used to refer to eight ethnic tribes in the Philippines. The Mangyan people
come from the Mindoro islands and their population is around 100,000. a generic name for the six
ethno – linguistics groups
spread over the mountains
and foothills of Mindoro, an island southwest of Luzon, namely, Batangan, Iraya, Hanunoo, Alangan, Ratagnon, Buhid,
and Tadyawan. They are described as the first inhabitants of the island, and until today, they are one of the few groups
that still practice a pre – Spanish form of writing. Their present population is about 150,000. [ CITATION inf20 \l 13321 ]
CULTURE AND TRADITION
Mangyans lived in peaceful societies as compared to the head-hunting tribes of North Luzon and the brave defiant
warrior tribes of the South. Social scientists theorized that some societies become peaceful because their system of norms
and values reward peaceful behavior but disapprove of aggressive and impulsive behaviors. Peaceful societies are
characterized by the egalitarian social organization without status competition between men and without the asymmetric
relationship between men and women. Another theory posited that populations adapt, therefore, offering a more logical
explanation of why Mangyans preferred to retreat in the hinterlands. They accept peaceful submissiveness when they
encounter lowland settlers, missionaries, traders and government officials. [ CITATION Val181 \l 13321 ]

SOCIAL
Mangyan is mainly subsistence agriculturalists, planting a variety of sweet potato, upland (dry cultivation) rice,
and taro. They also trap small animals and wild pigs. Many who live in close contact with lowland Filipinos sell cash crops
such as bananas and ginger.
Their languages are mutually unintelligible, though they share some vocabulary and use Hanunó’o script to write:
Tawbuid and Buhid are closely related, and are unusual among Philippine languages in having an /f/ phoneme; Tawbuid
is divided into eastern and western dialects; Western Tawbuid may be the only Philippine language to have no glottal
phonemes, having neither /h/ or /ʔ/.
Their traditional religious world view is primarily animistic (Animism); around 10% have embraced Christianity,
both Roman Catholicism and Evangelical Protestantism (The New Testaments have been published in six of the Mangyan
languages).
Successful Mangyan

Patrick Yanhigan Reyes was one of the native scholars of Project Malasakit foundation that
was founded by Broadcast Journalist Kara David in 2002 passed the Licensure Examination
for Teachers (LET) in 2019. (https://www.whatalife.ph/mangyan-native-passed-2019-let-board-exam/

Palawan hill tribes:

These are the non – Muslim tribal people of Palawan Island located further west of
Mindoro. This group is composed of four ethnic groups – Tagbanua, Batak,
Kalamianes, Cuyonin, and Ken-uy, and they number at least 120,000.

SOCIAL
They practice different sets of wedding arrangements. At the actual wedding ceremony, the couple sits on a mat
laid on the ground. Between them sit a dish of cooked rice, a coconut shell filled with water, and two cigars. The bride’s
maid and the best man take turns handing handfuls of rice shaped into balls to the bride and groom respectively. The
couple then feeds each other and drinks from the same cup and smokes the same cigar. The marriage is thus solemnized
and the wedding follows. Their choices of clothing were g-strings for men and patadyong for women or the so-called native
wraps similar to the more popular malong. [ CITATION Gat17 \l 13321 ]

Mindoro the Lumad and Moro: There are some differentiation of the indigenous people in Mindanao. The Moro and the
Lumad. Moro is Spanish for the word Moor. Lumad means indigenous or native.

Mindanao
Lumad:
A generic term embracing all non-Muslim hill tribes of Mindanao. Lumad is a Visayan term that means
“born and grown in the place”. The Lumad peoples are composed of some eighteen ethnic groups and they
form the largest grouping of indigenous peoples in the country. They have a total population today 2.1
million and are concentrated in varying degrees in the hilly portions of the provinces of Davao, Bukidnon,
Agusan, Surigao, Zamboanga, Misamis, and Cotabato. Thay can be found in almost all provinces of
Mindanao and they include the Subanen, Manobo, B’laan, T’boli, Mandaya, Mansaka, Tiruray, Higaonon,
Bagobo, Bukidnon, Tagkaolo, Banwaon, Dibabawon, Talaandig, Mamanua, and Manguangan.

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The Moro or Muslim Groups:

They are the Muslims in Mindanao composed of fourteen groups, namely,

Maranao, Maguindanao, Tausug, Samal, Yakan, Sangil, Palawani, Badjao,
Kalibugan, Jama-Mapun, Ipanun, Kalagan, Molbog, and Muslim.
SOCIAL
Practices and Beliefs Different
inhabitants in Mindanao result in big differences of practices and beliefs. Discrimination is common and this happens
everywhere. Lumads have not succumbed to the modern ways of living. They prefer to live in the mountainsides 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, another for harvest, to name
a few. For them, the mountain is sacred. Death and illness 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 five pillars of Islam, which requires them to pray five times a day. Another global practice of Islam is the Ramadan,
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.

The Muslims of Mindanao, like in many other Oriental cultures, pre-arrange marriages. A betrothal is arranged by
a man from the boy’s side. This man visits the girl’s parents and informs them of the boy’s honorable intentions. If the
girl’s parents agree to the union, the village headman is informed and he relays the news to the boy’s parents. The
headman then presides over the negotiations for the settlement of the dowry. The dowry includes money, clothes, and
jewelry.The engagement period and the actual wedding ceremony begin and end with a lavish celebration highlighted by a
feast, a parade, music and dancing. [ CITATION Gat17 \l 13321 ]

Successful Lumad

The lone living woman warrior and chieftain of the “lumad” community received this year’s Gawad
Bayani ng Kalikasan (GBK) Awards.
Abiok Ligkaian Bigkay, also known as Bai Bibiaon, was conferred the most distinguished award at the
University of the Philippines Diliman in recognition of her leadership in asserting the rights of the
Talaingod Manobo to their ancestral domains in the Pantaron Mountain Range in Mindanao.
()

Joeffrey Mambucon is earning praises on social media after he announced he is

the first Tigwahanon-Manobo Lumad to graduate with degrees in nursing and
medicine. The 31-year-old Mambucon, who lives in Sitio Opis, Namnam, San
Fernando, Bukidnon, said he was sent to Davao to study nursing after
graduating from high school. He enrolled at the University of Mindanao where he
passed the board exam in 2010.
(https://www.esquiremag.ph/long-reads/features/bukidnon-lumad-graduates-double-degrees-nursing-and-medicine-a00289-20200703)

ACTIVITY 1: FACT OR BLUFF

Directions: Write FACT in your answer sheet if the statement is correct and BLUFF if it’s not.
1. Mangyan practice different sets of wedding arrangements.
2. People from Cordillera Mountains in Luzon are broadly known as Igorot.
3. Moro actually among the most skilled when it comes to jungle survival.
4. The Muslims of Mindanao, like in many other Oriental cultures, pre-arrange marriages.
5. The indigenous groups in the Visayas mostly in Mindoro are called Mangyan.

ACTIVITY 2: Make me a match!

Directions: Match the indigenous people in Column B with their description in Column A. Answer the guide questions
and write your answer in the answer sheet.
A B
1. A Visayan term that means “born and grown in place” a. Igorot
2. Mountain people b. Cordillera people
3. Short, dark-skinned and kinky haired people c. Lumad
4. Practice a pre – Spanish form of writing d. Moro
5. Indigenous groups found in Visayas e. Mangyan of Mindoro
6. Non-Muslim tribal people located in west Mindoro f. Caraballo tribes
7. From the Spanish word Moor g. Aeta
8. A large group of indigenous tribes in Philippines h. Palawan hill tribes
9. Ibanag, Ilongot, Gaddang, Ikalahan and Isinai groups i. Mangyan
10. Bontoc, Isneg, Kalinga, Kankanaey, Tingguian, and Yapayao, j. Negrito
Ibaloi, Ifugao. k. Iloilo Tribe

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ASSESSMENT

I. Directions: Identify what is being asked in every item and write the answer in your answer sheet.

1. Has a total population of 2.1 million and are concentrated in varying degrees in the hilly
portions of the provinces of Davao, Bukidnon, Agusan, Surigao, Zamboanga, Misamis,
and Cotabato.
2. Composed of four ethnic groups – Tagbanua, Batak, Kalamianes, Cuyonin and Ken-uy and
they number at least 120,000.
3. A Filipino tattoo artist from Buscalan, Tinglayan, Kalinga and the “last” and old mambabatok.
4. A generic term embracing all non-Muslim hill tribes of Mindanao.
5. Composed of many ethnic groups such as Tadyawan, Tagbanuwa, Palawan and Molbog.

II. Directions: Choose the letter of the correct answer. Write the answer in your answer sheet.

1. Refers to as First peoples, Aboriginal peoples, Native peoples, or Autochthonous peoples, are
ethnic groups who are native to a particular place on Earth and live or lived in an
interconnected relationship with the natural environment.
A. ancestor B. ethnic groups C. Indigenous people D. modern people
2. Popularly known for being rice cultivators.
A. Aera B. Igorot C. Lumad D. Mangyan
3. The following belongs to the ethno-linguistic groups in Cordillera EXCEPT,
A. Ibanag B. Isneg C. Kankanaey D. Yapayao
4. It is important for them to have "tattoos" on the body as they symbolize the bravery and
reputation of one of their society.
A. Aeta B. Igorot C. Mangyan D. Lumad
5. Short, dark-skinned and kinky-haired peoples are considered the earliest inhabitants of the
Philippines.
A. Aeta B. Igorot C. Mangyan D. Lumad
6. Which group of indigenous people follow a religion called Animism?
A. Aeta B. Igorot C. Mangyan D. Lumad
7. Ibanag, Ilongot, Gaddang, Ikalahan and Isinai belongs to what tribe?
A. Caraballo tribe B. Cordillera tribe C. Mangyan of Mindoro D. Palawan hill tribe
8. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage site as a “living cultural landscape of unparalleled
beauty”.
A. Banaue Rice Terraces C. Taj Mahal
B. Great Wall of China D. The Roman Collosseum
9. Believe in spirits, including those of ancestors, and have complex rituals to propitiate them.
A. Aeta B. Igorot C. Mangyan D. Lumad
10. Batangan, Iraya, Hanunoo, Alangan, Ratagnon, Buhid, and Tadyawan belong to what
tribe?
A. Caraballo tribe B. Cordillera tribe C. Mangyan of Mindoro D. Palawan hill tribe

Answer Key to Activities

Activity 1 Activity 2
1. FALSE 1. c. 6. h.
2. TRUE 2. a. 7. d.
3. FALSE 3. g. 8. j.
4. TRUE 4. e. 9. f.
5. TRUE 5. i. 10. b.
REFERENCES

Answer Key to Assessment

Identification Multiple Choice

1. Mindanao Lumad 1. B
2. B
2. Palawan hill tribe 3. A
4. B
3. Whang-od Oggay/Whang-Od 5. A
6. C
4.Mindanao Lumad. 7. A
8. A
5. Mangyan 9. B
10. C
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