BSAcc 1C: Group II

Badjao Tribes presented to the parents of the woman that

a man wishes to marry (Peralta, 2002).
What is Badjao known for?
The Badjao are an indigenous What is the common name of Badjao?
group in the Philippines, known as sea The name is spelled in various ways:
nomads. They have been in country since “Badjao,” “Badyaw” or “Badjau”. They
500AD; described as endimic fisherfolks are also known by other names, such as
who have been using sustainable methods “Sama Dilaut,” “Laut”. Sometimes called
for over 1,500 years. They are also known “Sea Gypsies,” these once-boat-dwelling
for their non-confrontional nature and people are traditionally found in the
values of respect. They are governed by southwestern Philippines.
Chieftan and a group elders.
What is the livelihood of Badjao?
What are the beliefs, values and The study showed that the
traditions of the Badjao? Badjaos’ sources income was coming
from begging, fishing, and selling pearls
Beliefs and ukay-ukay. The money they earned
Celebrations with Sun was spent mostly on their food. They
demonstrates that the Badjao have their priotize spending the money for their
own unique religion and that what family’s needs and not lending it to their
outsiders refer to as superstitous practices family’s needs and lending it to their
are in fact manifestations of a set of beliefs relatives since it is hardly enough for
where Tuhan is the creator and supreme them.
spirit and Umboh the venerated first
ancestor. What is the Badjao tribe lifestyle?
They traditionally lived on house
Values boats moving through the sea wherever
 Develop their inner person as was needed, to fulfil their fishing
followers of Jesus Christ. requirements. The Badjao are also talented
 Love and care for their own diver- diving for pearls. To this day, these
community. activities still play a major part in the
 Live in dignity and peace where Badjao people.
they are.
 Represent what is best for the What are Badjao clothes called?
Badjao culture. The Badjao people also have a
 Develop responsibility in helping rich visual arts tradition in carving and
themselves and others sculpting. In terms of clothing, their mode
of dressing is the traditional attire
patadyong, which is a tube-like
Traditions wraparound skirt worn by both men and
Fishing is at the heart of the women. Women also wear sablay and
Badjao way of life. Their expertise in simpay with the patadyong.
traditional fishing methods, such as
spearfishing and net fishing, has been Where is Badjao located in the
passed down through generations. Fishing Philippines?
rituals are an integral part of their culture, The Badjao tribe is indigenous
often accompanied by ceremonies and population whose culture and livelihood
offerings to the sea spirits. are tied to the sea. Also widely known and
the “Sea Gypsies” of the Sulu and Celebes
Tradition of Marriage Sea, the Badjao are scattered along the
Prearranged by the parents for coastal areas of Tawi Tawi, Sulu, Basilian,
their sons and daughters at an early age; and some coastal areas of Zamboanga
the process is similar to other ethnic City.
groups, in which a downry is often
 BSAcc 1C: Group II

What language do Philippine Badjao called kaingin, where fields are rotated
speak? and left fallow to regenerate soil fertility.
The Badjao are a culturally and
linguistically diverse people living in the Social Structure:
southern Philippines, eastern Indonesia The Manobo society is patriarchal,
and Sabah, Malaysia. The Badjaos speak a with the husband as the family head.
Malayo-Polynesian language which they Polygyny (having multiple wives) is
themselves call “Sama”. The “Sama” common, particularly among wealthier
language is spoken in the Philippines and men, while most marriages among the
Malaysia. Bukidnon Manobo are monogamous.

Political Hierarchy:
Matigsalug-Ata Manobo Leadership is typically held by a
ruler known as a sultan.
Introduction/History Society is divided into royal and non-royal
The Manobo are several people classes, with only royal members eligible
groups who inhabit the island of Mindanao for the throne.
in the Philippines. They speak one of the
languages belonging to the Manobo Integration of Politics and Social Life:
language family. Their origins can be Political leaders, such as local
traced back to the early Malay peoples datus (headmen), play a significant role in
who came from the surrounding islands of social events like weddings, which require
Southeast Asia. Today, their common their involvement for arrangements.
cultural language and Malay heritage help
to keep them connected. Cultural Challenges:
The eight Manobo groups are
The Manobo cluster includes eight groups: facing significant challenges due to
 Cotabato Manobo outside pressures and changing socio-
 Agusan Manobo economic conditions that impact their
 Dibabawon Manobo cultural practices.
 Matig Salug Manobo
 Sarangani Manobo The Manobo hold that many
 Manobo of Western Bukidnon unseen spirits influence human life,
 Obo Manobo possessing both good and evil traits. These
 Tagabawa Manobo spirits can impact human activities to
fulfill their desires. Despite variations in
The groups are often connected by practices, all Manobo groups recognize a
name with either political divisions or single "great spirit," typically regarded as
landforms. The Bukidnons, for example, a creator figure. Although the religious
are located in a province of the same beliefs of the Manobo have been
name. The Agusans, who live near the influenced by other cultures over time,
Agusan River Valley, are named they tend to integrate new practices into
according to their location. The eight their existing belief system rather than
Manobo groups are all very similar, completely abandoning their traditions.
differing only in dialect and in some
aspects of culture. The distinctions have
resulted from their geographical Mamanwa
separation.
What are their lives like?  Considered as the oldest existing
group of people in the Philippines.
Agricultural Lifestyle:  The term Mamanwa means "First
The Manobo primarily practice Forest Dwellers", derived from
agriculture using a traditional method "man" (first) and "banwa" (forest).
 BSAcc 1C: Group II

 Has been classified as a "Negrito • Those who are specialist in using

subgroup". herbal medicine to treat illness.
 Dark-skinned and bear small • Those who are skilled in
frames. conducting rituals and ceremonies
 They also possess curly hair and
black eyes. Superstition beliefs
 Mamanwa women and men wear fabric
made headdress and someaccessories such
as necklace made of beads.  Mamanwa tribe believe in spirits
 Settlement are generally small, numbering and unseen beings residing and
from three to twenty households in high protecting the elements of their
ridges or valleys. environment.
 The houses are usually arranged in a  When it is a farm area, releasing a
circle. white chicken will result to
fertility of the soil, it is believed
Beliefs, Superstition, Rituals, and that this will increase theharvest.
Ceremonies

Pregnancy Tahaw - the supreme god

Magbabaya - the supreme deity
1. Should not eat edible frogs because it
causes the death of the child in the womb. Ceremonies
2. Thorns of kalamansi tree should be
placed on their roofing to drive witches 1. TAHAWAN CEREMONY
and bad anitos. -They are still practicing this ceremony
3.Lumboy fruit should be eaten to ease which is an indigenous manner of
pain during the labor period. worship, thanks giving, and cheery
4. Should not eat banana blossom for it making.
will cause her to bear a sick child.
2. KAHIMUNAN CEREMONY
Death and Mourning Rituals -Grand festivity in the mamanwa land, it is
offered when welcoming an important
 The moment that the member of person in the town or province.
the family died, he should be
buried directly. But before the
body is buried, it should be first Roles of men and women
cleaned and washed.
1. MEN
 They will not sweep for the bad
-gather materials from the forest
spirit will hear them, and it is -skilled in doing farming
considered as a curse. -use bow and arrow in hunting
 The act of crying can invite the
attention of the encantos or bad 2. WOMEN
spirits. -contributed fairly on the household
 They transfer from a place to income by selling their basketry or
another to leave sadness, sorrow products from the rattan
and forget grief and painful -active in the farm planting vegetables and
memories. gatherings honey
-majority of the household chores are done
by women

Healing rituals B’laan

Baylan/Tambajon has two kinds Historical Background

namely;
 BSAcc 1C: Group II

The word "Bilaan" could have celebration held in Koronadal

derived from "bila", meaning "house," and City, the capital of South
the suffix "an," meaning "people," so that Cotabato. This is the one of the
the term may be taken to mean "people festival of Blaan.
living in houses." Other terms that have  The Bilaan people are
been used to refer to this group are Blaan, monotheistic.
Bira-an, Baraan, Vilanes, Bilanes.  They hold a strong belief in the
supremacy of the Creator, known
The Blaans are further classified based on as Malu or D'wata.
the traditional territories they  The Bilaan believe in the soul's
dwell/occupy. existence and its role in causing
>Blaan Datal-are Blaans who live in the illness and death.
plains.  Due to intermarriages, some
>Blaan Lagad-those that live in the Bilaan have converted to
interior part of the mountains. Christianity or Islam, reflecting
>Blaan Mahin-those that preferred to stay the influence of modern society on
near the ocean. their traditional beliefs.
>Blaan Lam Alfo-and those that live in
communities with large coconut
plantation. MARRIAGE AND WEDDING

There are also younger generation  The Bilaan people have a long
Blaans (tubad Blaan) that are living tradition of intermarriage, which
outside the Philippines as immigrants, has led to some unique customs
Overseas Filipino Workers, and and practices.
missionaries whom we call as Blaan  Their marriage ceremonies are
Internationals (Blaan di Mawag Banwe). very structured and involve a strict
The Blaans are among the 110 Indigenous set of rules, including the payment
Peoples Group of the Philippines primarily of a dowry and the involvement of
located in south central Mindanao. both families in the arrangements

The Bilaan inhabit the southern DEATH AND BURIAL

part of South Cotabato and southeastern PRACTICES
part of Davao del Sur, as well as the areas
around Buluan Lake in North Cotabato.  The Blaan people believe death is
Some Bilaan live on Sarangani Island, off the end of life. A person is
the coast of Davao del Sur, although they considered dead when they have
are referred to as Sarangani Manobo. no pulse. The soul leaves the body
Other Bilaan groups on this island have and stays in the area before going
been referred to as Balud or Tumanao. The to "kilot" (natural death) or
Bilaan share similarities in culture and "kayong" (death caused by
physical features with the neighboring humans, including witchcraft).
Tagacaolo and the Tagabawa.  The "Tufa Lam Eel" is a
ceremony held in the community
Festival, Events, Culture and Tradition to honor the deceased, with food
and music playing a part.
FESTIVAL

T'NALAK FESTIVAL: A COLORFUL B’laan female blouse are

CELEBRATION differentiated by their respective
decorations and embroidery.
 The South Cotabato province has -Mother of Pearl/Shell Discs (Albong
a big celebration every year Takmon) which is also the most
known as T'nalak Festival. Every expensive, beaded blouse (Albong
July, the festival is a week-long Sanlah)
 BSAcc 1C: Group II

Blouse with Applique (Albong between highlanders and lowlanders,

Knibag), and cross-stitched (Albong Gaddangs occupy parts of the Cagayan
Ansif) Valley region, mostly in Central Isabela,
The traditional female tube skirt called Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, and Cagayan.
Tabih made from handwoven abaca They used to be a very large group of
(ikat weaving). B’laan women also people; however, during the Spanish
uses Maguindanao plaid Malong as an occupation, the lowlanders intermingled
alternative to Tabih and it is called with others in the valley, such as the
Gintlo. Ilocanos and Ibanags, while others fled to
the Cordillera and Sierra Madre
B’laan male pants/trousers are Mountains to escape Spanish oppression.
generally called salwal. Name can This has caused their population to
change Salwal T’najung or Salwal decline, especially since many of them are
Nihok based on the ikat material and actively intermarrying people from other
embroidery design/motif/applied. ethnic groups and are thus getting
absorbed by them.
Other accessories with their b’laan By the mid-20th century, Gaddang’s
terms are the following: hereditary social classes included
Comb- swat kammeranan and aripan, though these
Male cloth head cover- utob terms have long fallen into disuse.
Earrings- ulel However, today, there is a lack of
Necklace- slah definition and organization in their
Brass belt- sabitan or gat awek political apparatus, with the main form of
Leg rings- tikas order within their community being a
Anklets- babat kinship system. Leadership in this system
is accomplished via bravery, skills,
knowledge of customary law, and wealth,
THE GADDANG TRIBE in order tobachieve the status of mingal or
great warrior. They also employ peace
Gaddang comes from the word ga pacts called pudon, as well as trading
meaning "heat" and dang meaning partnerships called kolak.
"burned"; this likely alludes to the fact that
the Gaddang are generally darker of skin
than other Cordillera peoples. Many
Gaddang live in the highlands of LOWLAND AND HIGHLANDERS
southeastern Kalinga-Apayao and Eastern GADDANG
Bontok and Isabela provinces. Other
groups have abided in the middle Cagayan The Christianized, lowland Gaddang are
Valley on the eastern side of the now almost indistinguishable from the
Cordillera, where tributaries of the river Ilokano and Ibanag peoples of the valley,
merge. but the highlanders still maintain a unique
culture, including what is perhaps the most
HISTORY OF GADDANG TRIBE opulent attire on the island of Luzon,
The Gaddangs first entered written involving plentiful beads and precious
history in1598 during the Spanish stones. Settlements are located near
occupation, though it is theorized that they streams and fields.
have come from the north and entered the
Cagayan River thousands of years earlier. WAY OF LIFE: FARMING
It is further suggested that Gaddangs may PRACTICE
have occupied Cagayan Valley after the
Aetas. The Gaddang people are primarily
Once stereotyped as “untamed” agriculturists, and their way of life
and “dangerous,” the Gaddang people are revolves around rice farming, their staple
actually calmer compared to their crop. Two distinct farming systems are
neighboring tribes. Typically categorized practiced by the Gaddang, depending on
 BSAcc 1C: Group II

their location: uma cultivation for upland communicating through the lingua franca
Gaddang and plow farming for lowland of Northern Luzon, Ilocano.
Gaddang. • Their primary language is closely related
to the Agta, Atta, Ibanag, Isneg, Itawis,
1. Uma cultivation (Upland Gaddang Malaweg, and Yogad language.
System)
• Dry cultivation Planting Process:
• The farmer uses a pointed stick to dig
holes in the ground. FIVE DIALECTS OF GADDANG
• Rice grains are carried in a belt basket, 1. Gaddang proper
and around ten grains are dropped into 2. Yogad
each hole. 3. Maddukayang
• This practice is believed to ensure good 4. Katalangan
quality and a bountiful harvest. 5. Iraya

Seasonal Divisions; MARRIAGE PRACTICE

 Mabini (Rice-Growing One remarkable Gaddang

Season): July to December. marriage practice is the absence of
 Mamula (Other Planting prevailing rules of exogamy or endogamy
Season such as camote, mung that affect a women’s status in their
bean, sitaw (cowpea), patola society. Instead both men and women
(sponge gourd), garlic, acquire status by marriage, while single
women still have opportunities in the
tomato, nana (millet), banana,
church, government, and business.
yam, taro, saluyot (jute), Furthermore, lowland women regularly
ampalaya (bitter melon), own and inherit property.
kangkong (swamp cabbage),
kulitis (spineless amaranth PERFORMED RITUALS
mustasa (leaf mustard), red
pepper, papaya, and Some of the marriage traditions of
sugarcane.): January the Gaddang is performing a ritual for
to July. Anito
• Ballauan- a song ritual performed as an
appeal to the anitos to bless the
Challenges: Birds often eat the rice grains newlyweds with good health.
as they are not covered with soil after • Mangakkit- the last piece of advice
planting. through song and dance given by the anito
Bird Deterrent: Up until the 1960s, masters.
bamboo clappers fastened with rattan • Mattakkilala- a means to exorcise the
strips were used to scare away birds. spirit of sickness or problems.
The Gaddang religion is based on the
2. Plow Farming (Lowland Gaddang) dichotomy between the earth world and
the afterworld, with rituals performed by
• In contrast to the dry uma cultivation, both men and women. The men hold
plow farming is used by lowland prestige feasts that occur once in their
Gaddang, where water availability allows lifetime. Some of their rite of passage
for the more conventional use of plows include.
and irrigation in rice fields. • Palancing- an initiation for children into
the rites of the anito.
GADDANG LANGUAGES • Kayawl Palagfu (jumping)- conducted
to recognize their members change of
• Gaddangs speak the language of the status or lifestyle.
same name, Gaddang, while also • Darawun- a ritual for children seven
 BSAcc 1C: Group II

years and up.

HEALING RITUALS
They are also famous for their healing
rituals;
• Patunnok-an anito rite for the sick
performed by makamongs for two
consecutive days
• Mabbawang-a ritual conducted to
ensure the longevity of family members’
lives, as well as to strengthen family ties
• Immuno-gakit ritual-performed to
drive awaygeneral sickness from the
village.

ORAL TRADITIONS

Oral traditions are also alive and active in

Gaddang communities as they are fond of
riddles, proverbs, puns, ghost stories, and
witchcraft stories. Additionally, their
mythologies are rich with a wide variety
of deities, namely Nanolay, creator of all
things and their cultural hero; Ofag,
Nanolay's cousin; Dasal, the one whom
their epic warriors Biwag and Malana pray
to for strength and courage; Bunag, earth’s
god; and Limat, sea god.

TRADITIONAL COSTUMES

Highlander Gaddangs are people with a

lavish taste for traditional costumes,
adornments, and precious stones. With a
penchant for beads, shells, buttons,
andbcoins as decorations, their ceremonial
dresses stand out as some of the most
elaborate and decorative pieces. By
contrast, their everyday attire is simple,
with men donning G-strings in their homes
and in the fields, adding a pair of pants
over their loincloths when going to town,
and slipping into loincloths dinega, small
and beaded jacket koton, and cape tapit
during ceremonies.