2. OBJECTIVES:
Understand the cultural significance of the arts and crafts
of the Lumad people.
Identify the different types of traditional arts and crafts
produced by the Lumad communities.
Appreciate the role of indigenous art in preserving Lumad
heritage and identity.
3. INTRODUCTION
The Lumad are a group of indigenous peoples in the
southern Philippines, primarily in Mindanao. The term
"Lumad," which means "native"or "indigenous" in
Cebuano, was officially adopted in 1986 to
collectively refer to several non-Muslim, non-
Christian ethnic groups in Mindanao.
4. The Lumad are a collective group of
indigenous peoples in Mindanao,
Philippines, who are non-Muslim and
non-Christian. "Lumad" is a Cebuano
term meaning "native" or "indigenous."
They share a common ancestry and
culture but belong to different
ethnolinguistic groups.
5. 18 major tribes that are part of the Lumad
peoples:
• Manobo Group (Largest Indigenous Group in
Mindanao)
• Manobo – Found in various areas across Mindanao.
• Agusanon Manobo – Found in Agusan provinces.
• Ata Manobo – Reside in Davao del Norte and
Bukidnon.
• Dibabawon Manobo – Found in Compostela Valley.
• Talaandig – Found in Bukidnon.
6. Matigsalug – Inhabiting parts of Bukidnon and Davao.
Umayamnon – Found in Agusan and Bukidnon.
Other Ethnic Groups
Bagobo – Composed of Bagobo-Tagabawa, Bagobo-Klata, and Bagobo-Ubo, found in
Davao region.
Banwaon – Found in Agusan del Sur.
Blaan – Reside in South Cotabato and Sarangani.
Bukidnon – Inhabit Bukidnon province.
Higaonon – Live in Misamis Oriental and Bukidnon.
Mamanwa – One of the oldest tribes, found in Agusan and Surigao.
Mandaya – Found in Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley.
Mangguangan – Inhabiting parts of Davao.
Subanen – Live in Zamboanga Peninsula and Misamis Occidental.
Tagakaulo – Found in Davao del Sur and Sarangani.
T'boli – Reside in South Cotabato.
7. ARTS AND CRAFTS
OF THE LUMAD
PEOPLE
The arts and crafts of the Lumad
people of the Philippines reflect
their deep connection to nature,
spirituality, and ancestral
traditions. Their artistic
expressions include weaving,
beadwork, brasswork,
woodcarving, and body art, each
carrying significant cultural
meanings.
8. Weaving –
The T’boli people are
renowned for their
T’nalak cloth, a sacred
fabric woven from abaca
fibers and inspired by
dream patterns. This
intricate process uses
natural dyes and
traditional hand-loom
techniques, symbolizing
the tribe’s identity and
spirituality.
9. T'nalak
A traditional cloth woven by the
T'boli people of the Cotabato
region
Woven from abaca fibers and
dyed with bark, roots, and plants
Features a unique tie-dye
process to create ornate
patterns
Celebrates life events like birth,
marriage, and death
Often used as clothing and
blankets
Used in royal wedding
10. Hinabol
An indigenous craft that
originated in the Higaonon tribe's
Lumad community
A source of livelihood for the
community's families
The intricate weaving process
has been perfected with the help
of the Malaybalay local
government
Inabal
An ikat-dyed woven abaca cloth
that symbolizes wealth, offerings
to deities, and gifts to those who
11. Inabal
An ikat-dyed woven
abaca cloth that
symbolizes wealth,
offerings to deities, and
gifts to those who
officiate rituals
A crocodile design
mastered by Manlilikha
ng Bayan Salinta
Monon
12. Beadwork --
Many Lumad tribes, such as
the Manobo and Bagobo,
create elaborate beadwork
for accessories like
necklaces, bracelets, and
headdresses. These designs
represent social status,
protection, and tribal
identity, often incorporating
geometric patterns and
bright colors.
13. Brasswork and
Metalcraft –
Skilled Lumad artisans
produce brass and metal
items using the lost-wax
casting method. This
includes jewelry, weaponry,
and musical instruments like
the Kulintang (gong
ensemble), which plays a vital
role in Lumad ceremonies
and celebrations.
14. Woodcarving –
Woodcraft is another
essential part of Lumad
artistry, evident in the carving
of ritual figures, furniture, and
tools. These carvings often
depict mythological creatures,
ancestors, or spirits, serving
as symbols of protection and
storytelling.
15. Tattooing and
Body Art –
Tattooing and Body Art –
Some Lumad groups
practice traditional tattooing
as a rite of passage. These
intricate designs represent
bravery, achievements, and
lineage, reinforcing a
person’s connection to their
heritage.
Pang-o-tub
16. Pang-o-tub"
refers to the traditional tattooing practice
of the Manobo people, a group considered
part of the "Lumad" indigenous
population in Mindanao, Philippines;
essentially, it means "tattoo" in their
language and signifies a significant part of
their cultural identity, often associated
with womanhood and spiritual beliefs.
17. Pottery
Pottery: Pottery is
another prominent art
form, particularly in the
Subanen and Manobo
communities. These
pottery pieces are often
used in daily life, such as
for cooking and storage,
18. Earthenware Jars
(Banga)
Large clay jars traditionally used
for storing water, rice, or
fermented beverages.
Example: The Banga is a common
earthenware vessel used by
Lumad groups for daily household
activities. It is made using coiling
and smoothing techniques, then
fired in open flames or kilns.
19. Palayok
(Cooking Pot)
A traditional clay pot used for
cooking rice, soups, and
stews over an open fire.
Example: The Palayok used
by the Higaonon is made
using hand-molding
techniques, ensuring heat is
evenly distributed while
cooking.
20. Tapayan (Storage
Jar)
A large, deep clay jar used for
storing liquids, grains, or
fermented food.
Example: The Tapayan of the
Subanen is used to store tuba
(coconut wine) and other
preserved goods, ensuring their
longevity.
21. Ritual Pots
Special clay vessels used in
religious ceremonies,
offerings, and ancestral
worship.
Example: The Bagobo Ritual
Pots are small, hand-crafted
pots with symbolic
carvings, used in offerings
to spirits and deities during
important ceremonies.
22. Music and
Dance:
Music and Dance: The arts
of the Lumad are closely
tied to their music and
dance, with each tribe
having its own unique
style and instruments.
Ritual dances, often
accompanied by drums
and gongs, celebrate
Kadal tahaw dance
23. The Kadal Tahaw i
The Kadal Tahaw is a tribal dance
performed by the T'boli people of
South Cotabato, Philippines. The
dance imitates the flight and hopping
of the Tahaw bird. Dancers wear
malongs and salakuts (hats).
24. Kulintang
is a modern term for an
ancient instrumental form
of music composed on a
row of small, horizontally
laid gongs that function
melodically, accompanied
by larger, suspended
gongs and drums
25. These arts and crafts serve as both a medium of storytelling and a form of cultural
preservation. Despite modernization and commercialization, efforts are being made to
sustain these traditional practices and support Lumad artisans in keeping their heritage
alive.
26. Importance of Lumad Arts
and Crafts:
Serve as a medium for storytelling and
cultural preservation.
Reflect the tribe’s connection to nature
and ancestral traditions.
Used in rituals, celebrations, and daily
life.
27. CONCLUSION:
The arts and crafts of the Lumad people
of the Philippines are rich, diverse, and
deeply reflective of their cultural identity,
traditions, and spiritual beliefs. These
artistic expressions are not only forms of
aesthetic creation but also carry
significant cultural meanings, often
linked to their everyday lives, nature, and
ancestral practices,
28. the arts and crafts of the Lumad peoples also
represent more than mere artistry—they are
integral expressions of their worldviews, beliefs,
and connection to nature. These crafts also
serve as cultural preservation tools, helping to
maintain the identity and traditions of the Lumad
communities amidst modern challenges. The
rich variety of their handmade creations
continues to captivate and inspire people,
serving as a testament to their enduring
