INDIGENOUS ETHNOLINGUISTIC GROUPS IN VISAYAS.pdf

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INDIGENOUS ETHNOLINGUISTIC GROUPS IN VISAYAS
Book Report
Presented to:
Mr. Shadrach Malana
Agusan Colleges Inc.
Butuan City
In Partial Fulfillment
Of the Requirements for the Subject Philippine Indigenous Communities- 401
Kryzel Kyz Mahinay
Fernand Maquiling
Florante Matarlo
Vicky Montefalcon
Menchu Ohagan
Merry Joy Ohagan
Pachica Sendalyn
Jarred Harrod Taw-on
Charajane Varon
Danica Adolfo
Risheil Adtoon
Irene Apolinaria
Renalyn Aspillaga
Jo-ann Auguis
Dofelorie Bartolome
July 2022

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
TITLE …………………………………………………………………………..…………… I
TABLE OF CONTENTS ……………………………………………………..…………… II
INTRODUCTION ……………………………………………………………………….. III
INDIGENOUS ETHNOLINGUISTIC GROUPS IN VISAYAS …………………….… IV
Aklanon Tribe…………………………………………………………………..…….1
Ati Tribe……………………………………………………………………………..10
Bantoanon Tribe……………………………………………………………….……19
Boholano Tribe……………………………………………….……………………..24
Caluyanon Tribe………………………………………………………………….…30
Capiznon Tribe……………………………………………………………………..33
Cebuano Tribe………………………………………………………………………39
Eskaya Tribe………………………………………………………………………...45
Hiligaynon Tribe……………………………………………………………….…....50
Kinaray-a Tribe…………………………………………………………………..…59
Magahat Tribe……………………………………………………………………....65
Porohanon Tribe………………………………………………………………….…69
Sama Abaknon Tribe……………………………………………………………….73
Sulod Tribe…………………………………………………………………………..78
Waray Tribe…………………………………………………………………………85
BIBLIOGRAPHY……………………………………………………………………………V
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The Visayas or Visayan Islands are one of the three principal geographical divisions of the
Philippines, along with Mindanao and Luzon. It consists of several islands, primarily
surrounding the Visayan Sea. Residents are known as the Visayans. The major islands of the
Visayas are Panay, Negros, Cebu, Bohol, Leyte, and Samar. The region may also include the
islands of Romblon and Masbate, whose populations identify as Visayan.
The history of Visayas dates back to the 12th century before the Spaniards were even aware
of the existence of this part of the world. The earliest settlers of the island were Austronesians
and Negrito‘s who came to Panay and its surrounding islands after neighboring empires have
collapsed. In the 14th century as Arabs began venturing into the Malay Archipelago so that
eventually, Muslim communities were formed in the region.
The Visayas was the first region of the Philippines to come into contact with the Spaniards in
the 16th century. It was in 1521 when explorers led by Ferdinand Magellan arrived on the
island known as Homonhon in Eastern Samar and then later claimed the island for the
kingdom of Spain. He named the island Islas de San Lazaro and even established friendly ties
with several local leaders, the most prominent of which was Rajah Humabon, known as one
of the first natives to be converted to Roman Catholicism.
VISAYAS REGION
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There are a lot of natives who did not take kindly to the invasion and the reintroduction of
cultures. In 18th and 19th centuries, the natives have started getting fed up with the
colonization because revolutions have grown more prominent in the history of Visayas than it
was in other regions of the Philippines. Visayan natives also had a hand in the Philippine-
American War with the island of Negros starting the revolution. After the Second World
War, the region became an established community with a proper form of local government.
Native People started to spread all over the Visayas Region. Many of their traditions and
cultures we still see to this day. Even uses of different language include Hiligaynon or
Ilonggo, and Waray. Other languages are Aklanon, Kinaray-a and Capiznon. Filipino, the
national language based on Tagalog, is widely comprehensible but seldom used.
As of today, Visayas region is known for its world-class tourist spots, the people themselves
are also a treasure worthy of recognition. Full of diversity and culture, the Visayans are a
bunch of interesting people and when grouped together, is one of the largest ethnic groups in
the world at 33 million natives. The following are the beautiful ethnicities found in the
Visayas:

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HISTORY
AKLANON TRIBE
"Aklanon" is a Spanish word for the people of what is now Aklan province in Panay; the
people had thought the Spaniards were asking the name of the local river, which was actually
"Akean." The entire island was supposedly purchased from the local Aetas (the Ati group still
live there) by 10 datus from Borneo who brought with them a syllabic script
Aklanon form the majority in the province of
Aklan in Panay. They are also found in other
Panay provinces such as Iloilo, Antique, and
Capiz, as well as Romblon. Like the other
Visayans, Aklanons have also found their way
to Metro Manila, Mindanao, and even the
United States.
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CULTURE OF AKLANON
Piña Weavers
Aklan is known as the top producer of piña fabric in
the Philippines. This sheer, delicate cloth—typically
used to make Barong Tagalog, the country's national
costume—is the product of a long, painstaking and
intricate process of weaving fiber from pineapple
leaves.
TRADITION OF AKLANON
They are known by their devotion to
the Santo Niño or Child Jesus.
Aklanon‘s also practice processions
during religious holidays such as the
Salubong. Most Aklanon‘s engage in
agriculture while those in the coastal
areas engage in fishing. They also
make handicrafts.
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BELIEF AND PRACTICES
OF AKLANON
The early Aklanon believed in many gods. Bulalakaw who lived in a mountain called
Madya-as. A chief goddess was called Laon, after whom Mt. Kanlaon is named. There were
mediators to the gods, also said to be the first priests: Bangutbanwa, who prayed for good
harvest; Mangindalon, who prayed for sick person; and Soliran, who performed the marriage
ceremonies. Manunubo was the good spirit of the sea.
Although the majority of the Aklanon population is now Christian, belief in the power of
babaylan has not completely disappeared. In pre-Christian times, the babaylan played an
important political, social, religious, and cultural role. They advised the datu, and were the
spiritual and physical healers of the community. Reverence of patron saints has not
completely replaced the beliefs of Engkanto (super natural beings), Pilhi are evil spirits, and
the Aswang (witches).
In pre-Spanish times, a significant religious ceremony was held every seven years to pray for
the ―strengthening of the universe.‖ The people of Irong-irong, Hamtik, and Aklan convened
near a spring whose waters flowed back to the mountains, and made sacrifices and offerings
for seven days.
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AKLANON FESTIVALS
Ati-Atihan Festival (3rd Sunday January) –
Kalibo
The Ati-Atihan festival is a Philippine festival held annually in January in honor of the Santo
Niño (Holy Child or Infant Jesus) in several towns of the province of Aklan, Panay Island.
The biggest celebration is held during the third Sunday of January in the town of Kalibo, the
province‘s capital. The name Ati-Atihan means "to imitate the Ati people".
The festival consists of religious processions and street-parades, showcasing themed floats,
dancing groups wearing colorful costumes, marching bands, and people sporting face and
body paints. The street parade is known as Sadsad, which is also what the local‘s call their
way of dancing where the foot is momentarily dragged along the ground in tune to the beat
played by the marching bands. It has inspired other Philippine Festivals such
as Dinagyang of Iloilo and Sinulog of Cebu, thus, it is known as the "Mother of All
Philippine Festivals.
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Nabas Bariw Festival started in the year 2003 and is celebrated to commemorate the Feast
Day of St. Isidore the Farmer, the towns‘ patron saint.
Bariw (common name Pandan) is a palm tree that abundantly grows in the coastal
communities in western Aklan and parts of Antique and it is brown in color. Women in the
barrios are mostly weavers who are adept in the cutting and drying of Bariw leaves and turn
them into handicrafts of mats, baskets and other items.
It is a festival showcasing the unique skills of Nabasnon weavers of bags, mats and hats made
of indigenous bariw leaves, and said to be the fast-growing industry in the municipality. The
highlight of the celebration is a dance performance by local talents and ingenuity
accompanied with the aboriginal rhythm beat of the drums or bamboo instruments.
Townsfolk dance on the streets of the town, all dressed in indigenous bariw-made costumes.
Nabas Bariw Festival (May 12-15)
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Bugna Festival (May 16) – Tangalan
Launched in 2007, Bugna in Tangalan is a festival held annually showcasing the
municipality‘s different locally made products, as well as its various eco-tourism destinations
such as the Marine Sanctuary and Coral Garden, Agfa Point, Campo Verde, Jawili Falls,
Bughawi Beach and the town‘s reforestation project.
"Bugna" is the local term for ―blessing‖, and quiet appropriately, is the name of Tangalan‘s
Community Based Ecotourism Program. Bugna it Tangalan (Blessings of Tangalan) features
the best Tangalan has to offer, from waterfalls and beaches to food and hospitality.
Kali-Ugyon Festival
-Kali-Ugyon Festival, a coined word combining kalipay
(happiness) and hili-ugyon (unity) is held every
December 31 - January 1 of each year in Libacao, Aklan
where local folks, foreign and local tourists clad with
customized native apparel dancing on the streets in
merry-making to drive away evil spirits as the New
Year comes. The merrymaking started in the year 1987.
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AKLANON CLOTHING
Piña Village
-Aklan is known as the top producer of Piña fabric in the Philippines. This sheer, delicate
cloth—typically used to make Barong Tagalog, the country's national costume—is the
product of a long, painstaking and intricate process of weaving fiber from pineapple leaves.
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LANGUAGE OF AKLANON
Aklanon (Akeanon), also known as Bisaya/Binisaya nga Aklanon/Inaklanon or simply Aklan,
is an Austronesian language of the Bisaya subgroup spoken by the Aklanon people in the
province of Aklan on the island of Panay in the Philippines.
Its unique feature among other Bisaya languages is the close-mid back unrounded vowel [ɤ]
occurring as part of diphthongs and traditionally written with the letter ⟨Ee⟩ such as in
the autonyms Akean and Akeanon. However, this phoneme is also present in other but
geographically scattered and distant Philippine languages,
namely Itbayat, Isneg, Manobo, Samal and Sagada.
The Malaynon dialect is 93% lexically similar to Aklanon and retained the "l" sounds, which
elsewhere are often pronounced as "r".
Ibayjanon (Ibajaynon) dialect has shortened versions of Aklanon words.
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ATI TRIBE
LOCATION
OTHER NAME
Ati people are called
different names such as the Agta,
Ayta, Ita, Ata, Aeta, Batak and
Negrito. All these names are said
to mean ―man‖.
The Ati are a Negrito ethnic group in
the Visayas, the central portion of the Philippine
archipelago. Categorized as ―Negritos‖ (meaning
black) by the Spanish colonizers, Ati people are the
original people of Panay Island, an island located in
the central part of the Philippines.
They live on Panay Island, which is located in
the Visayas (Islands of Cebu, Bohol, Siquijor, Leyte,
Samar, Panay, Masbate, Negros and Guimaras), the
central portion of the Philippine archipelago.
CHARACTERISTICS
They describe Ati as dark skinned people,
small in frame, standing between four to five feet
tall, with flat noses, curly and kinky textured hair.
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Latest population
census of Ati is 22,837
HISTORY
In the Philippines the Aetas or Ati ancestors were the 'aboriginals' or the 'first' inhabitants of
this Archipelago. They most probably arrived from Borneo 20-30,000 years ago, through
what is thought to be an isthmus (remnants of which today comprise the island of Palawan)
that in the prehistoric epoch connected the Philippine archipelago to Borneo via a land
bridge. According to some oral traditions, they also predate the Bisaya, who now inhabit
most of the Visayas.
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The Ati practice a form of animism that involves good and
evil spirits. These spirits are nature spirits that often guard
rivers, the sea, the sky, as well as the mountains. Sometimes,
they may cause disease or comfort. The Ati from Negros refer
to them as taglugar or tagapuyo, which literally means
"inhabiting a place." Christianity has also been adopted due to
less isolation and more contact with "outsiders".
The Ati believe in God, Spirits and Sacrifices.
Currently, baptized Ati pray to the Christian God. Those less influenced by Christianity
profess to believe in Magwala or Magdili. Another spirit being identified is Abog, the chief
herdsman of wild pigs and deer.
RELIGION
MEDICINE PRACTICES
Ati are known in Panay as practitioners of herbal
medicine. Locals often seek their help in
removing leeches from a person's body.
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LIVELIHOOD
Hunting Fishing
In previous years, hunting
(pangayam or panganup) played a
significant role in the Ati economy
especially during the rainy season
(November to early part of January).
The practice has, however, declined
through the years. Game-hunted
include birds, wild pigs, deer, monkeys,
iguanas, monitor lizards, wild cat, and
wild chickens. Assisted by dogs the Ati
use bow and arrows.
Fishing now seems to be more
important than hunting. The women
engage in pamunit(pick up) to catch a
kind of goby (Chronophorus
melancephalus) using a bamboo stick
one meter long and one cm. thick with
several earthworms tied to the end.
The wild animals such as lizards, wild pigs, turtles, wild cats, fish and snails help keep
a strong body for the Ati and are still part of their regular diet.
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Loincloths Wraparound skirts
Not too long ago, like other Negritos in the country, their clothing was simple, with
women wearing wraparound skirts, sometimes made out of bark cloth, and men wearing
loincloths. Nowadays, rare is the Ati wearing traditional clothing: the Bahag (loincloth)
for men and wraparound skirts for women. Today T-shirts, pants, and rubber sandals are
common as daily clothes
Jewelry is simple in nature. Some
jewelry objects involve plants such as
flowers, while others use animal bones;
particularly the teeth of pigs.
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The typical Ati settlement is located near a good water
supply. Houses, especially in earlier times, are of
the wind-screen type with materials sourced from the
forest. The structure consists of two wind-screens
brought together to form a gabled roof.
Courtship and Marriage
The Ati have to a large extent been influenced by
the marriage customs of the Christian Filipinos as
indicated by the Spanish terms which they
currently use. But in spite of this extensive
borrowing, some elements and survivals of their
former marriage customs can still be gleaned. The
act of courting is called Pangaluyag.
The Aetas of the north speak Sambalic languages,
which are part of the Central Luzon family. The Ati
speak a Visayan language known as Inati. As of
1980, the speakers of Inati number about 1,500.
Hiligaynon and Kinaray-a are also commonly used.
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The Ati are the central attraction in the Ati-atihan
festival, a festival named in their honor. It is said
that the festival is held to commemorate the first
appearance of the Roman Catholic Church and
the Spaniards in the province of Aklan. According
to oral tradition, the Ati helped the Spaniards
conquer the native Visayan‘s and, as a reward, the
tribe was given a statue of the Santo Niño.
Dinagyang festival
In the Dinagyang festival of Iloilo City,
also on Panay, performers are also
painted to look supposedly like Ati and
are organized into "tribes", called
"tribus", to perform dances with drums,
as the Atis are supposed to have done
when the Malay arrived and bought
Panay from the Ati. Dinagyang is held
to celebrate this purchase as well as the
arrival in Iloilo of the Santo Niño statue.
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Masskara Festival
Borne from a tragic disaster in the 1980s, the
Masskara Festival was started by the people of
Bacolod City to uplift the spirits of the locals. It is a
declaration of the people that they will rise and
survive the challenges and tragedies that they are
facing, showing their resilience and tenacity.
Sinulog Festival
For 32 years, the Sinulog Festival is a
traditional celebration in Cebu City
held every third Sunday of January to
honor the Santo Niño (Child Jesus).
Basically, the festival is done by a dance
ritual, in which it tells the story of the
Filipino people's pagan past and their
acceptance of Christianity.
The Sinulog Festival is celebrated to worship, praise, and give
gratitude to Santo Niño, the child image of Jesus Christ that is
said to be miraculous. It is also the patron saint of Cebu. Essentially,
it is a dance ritual to commemorate that time when Filipinos
welcomed and embraced Christianity.
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BANTOANON TRIBE
The name Bantoanon comes from the island of Banton,
in Romblon province where they live, but some
Bantoanon‘s came, from the islands of Simara and
Sibale.
HISTORY
LOCATION
The Bantoanon or ―people from Banton
(Island)‖ actually reside mostly in Odiongan,
Corcuera, Calatrava, and Concepcion in
Romblon, an archipelagic province in the
MIMAROPA region.
The Bantoanon occupy the Banton island group which
is part of the Romblon group of islands south of
Marinduque. The areas of greatest concentration are in
Odiongan (24,870), Corcuera (8,470), Banton (6,850),
and Concepcion (4,455). The national population is
placed at 52,745 (NSO 1980).
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RELIGION AND LANGUAGE
RELIGION LANGUAGE
The primary religion practiced by the
Bantoanon is Roman Catholicism
Their primary language is Bantoanon.
The Bantoanon‘s speak a local dialect
called Asi.
CULTURE AND TRADITION
BURIAL PRACTICE
Bantoanon ancestors practiced secondary burial and
established burial caves mostly in Guyangan. They
also used burial cloth to wrap the dead.
PAILIG means patiently getting the container
filled with water from a not-so-abundant source.
PAILIG then has taught townsfolk with the value
of patience.
PAILIG
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The daily flower offering during May is
probably the most colorful in the country,
if not in the whole world. Time, effort, and
heart are embedded.
FLORES
Sanrokan is probably the best known tradition.
This is the simple act of sharing a bowl of
"suya" or "inaslom" to neighbor and is still
practiced today even outside of the island.
SANROKAN
This is a fluvial parade in honor of the
town's patron saint. It is a religious
tradition introduced by the Spanish
Friars to areas near the sea or body of
water.
BIRAY
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The feast day of St. John the Baptist is usually characterized by high tide, perfect time for
swimming for the folks in the island town.
SAN JUAN FESTIVAL
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BOHOLANO TRIBE
The Boholano person, also called Bol-anon,
refers to the people who live in the island
province of Bohol. They are part of the wider
Bisaya Ethnolinguistic group, who constitute the
largest Filipino Ethnolinguistic group.
They are mainly concentrated in Bohol although
some also live in Southern Leyte and Mindanao
(mainly in the northeastern portion).
The boholano‘s are known to be thrifty, law-abiding,
hospitable, religious, humble people. Surrounded by
big body of water, they became expert sea-farers and
famous traders. They have always been portrayed in a
way that sometimes they abhor. In spite of these
portrayals they remain modest and undisturbed.
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HISTORY
The people of Bohol are said to be the descendants of the last group of inhabitants who
settled in the Philippines called Pintados or ―tattooed ones.‖ Boholano‘s had already a culture
of their own as evidenced by the artifacts dug at Mansasa, Tagbilaran City, and in Dauis and
Panglao.
Bohol is derived from the native word Bo-ol. The island was the seat of the first international
treaty of peace and unity between the native king Datu Sikatuna, and Spanish conquistador,
Miguel López de Legazpi, on March 16, 1565 through a blood compact alliance known today
by many Filipinos as the Sandugo.
Boholano is derived from the name of the province.
There were 2,278,495 of
them in 2010.
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Boholano is a variant of the Cebuano language spoken
in the island province of Bohol in the Visayas and a
major portion of Southern Leyte, as well as parts of
Mindanao, particularly in Northern Mindanao and
Caraga.
RELIGION
Most Boholano‘s are Catholic, with a
minority professing Protestant faiths
and Islam. The former indigenous
Boholano religion was largely
eliminated by the Spaniards.
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CULTURE
Bohol festivals and feast days are part and parcel of
Boholano culture. Boholano‘s are fun-loving,
generous to a fault, and deeply religious. These traits
push them to celebrate and put up festivals aside from
the yearly honoring of saints in respective towns and
barangays of the province.
The Sandugo Festival is an annual historical
celebration that takes place every year in
Tagbilaran City on the island of Bohol in the
Philippines. This festival commemorates the
Treaty of Friendship between Datu Sikatuna, a
chieftain in Bohol, and Spanish conquistador
Miguel López de Legazpi. This 16th-century
peace treaty occurred on March 16, 1565 through
a blood compact or "sandugo".
Sandugo Festival
Saulog Festival
Aside from the infamous Sandugo Festival, the
Saulog Festival is one festivity that Boholano‘s
look forward to every year
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BOHOLANO DELICACIES
Kalamay, a sweet viscous dessert of Bohol traditionally packaged into empty coconut shells.
LIVELIHOOD
One of the major incomes of Boholano‘s is
farming. Since Bohol has limited job offers in
terms of industry, some Boholano‘s were
immigrate to the cities and look for their fortune.
And every month of May all Boholano‘s from
different places will go home to celebrate fiesta. It
is the Boholano‘s tradition that every fiesta they
will go back to their home for celebrating fiesta
and it is their time for family reunion.
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CALUYANON TRIBE
Caluyanon (also spelled Caluyanun) is a
dialect of the kinaray-a language and spoken
in the Caluya Islands, Antique in the
Philippines. Most of its speakers use
Hiligaynon as their second language.
Hiligaynon is the everyday language of
Antiqueños although they are also fluent in
Tagalog, English and some other Visayan
language. According to a recent survey,
around 30,000 people speak Caluyanon.
Found on the Caluya Islands of Antique
Province in the Western Visayas, the
Caluyanon‘s are among the smallest
ethnic groups in Visayas. With around
30,000 natives, their language is
Caluyanon but many of the natives speak
Hiligaynon as their second language.
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CULTURE OF CALUYANON
WHITE AND
PINKISH BEACH
SEAWEED
COCONUT CRUB
Caluya Island is famous for its white and pinkish beaches, different kinds of edible seaweeds
and coconut crabs, and a very exotic marine life.
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Capiznon is derived from the word kapis, a
seashell used to make square panes for
windows (and obtained from the mollusk
Placuna placenta) and the suffix ―non‖ or
―people.‖
As of 2010, the total population of Capiz
province is 719,685 persons, of whom
97% is Capiznon, thus numbering about
700,000.
The remaining 3% are Ilonggo,
Badjao/Sama Dilaut, Manobo, and others.
It is the third most populous province in
the region.
Capiznon is concentrated in the province of
Capiz in the northeast of Panay Island.
Four provinces: Iloilo, Capiz, Antique, and
Aklan.
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HISTORY
According to the folk history gathered by Pedro Monteclaro on Maragtas, there are Ten
Bornean Datus‘ who settled somewhere in San Joaquin, Iloilo in 1231.
They bought the Island (Panay) from the Aetas (the natives) and cultivated the land. They
renamed the island to ―Madya-as‖. Madya-as was divided into three
communities: Hamtik (Antique), Iron-irong (Iloilo) and Akean (Aklan and Capiz).
LANGUAGE
The Capiznon people belong to a larger
group called Visayan, and the Capiznon
language is a sub classification of the
Visayan language.
It is closely related to Hiligaynon, 91% of
which Capiznon speakers comprehend.
DIALECT
Capiznon possessive pronouns are formed
by the addition of a t-prefix to the
Hiligaynon, Kinaray-a, and Aklanon
pronouns, thus: t-akon (I), t-aton (We-
inclusive), t-amon (we-exclusive), t-imo
(you), t-inyo (you plural), t-iya (he/she),
and t-ila (they).
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ECONOMY
The main products of the province are rice, sugarcane, and coconuts. The Nipa palm.
Thrives best along the coast, and the making of Nipa shingles for roofing is a lucrative
occupation, together with the fishing industry.
The Buri Palm fiber called Saguran is made into hats, slippers, mats, household adornments,
and sail.
Other cottage industries are basket making, mosquito nets, rope, abaca weaving, shell craft,
and abaca slippers.
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Religious Belief and Practices
The early Panayanon believed in many gods. Bululakaw, a bird which looked like a peacock
and could cause illness, was said to live in the island‘s sacred mountain called Madya-as.
Catholicism and reverence for patron saints have not completely replaced the belief in the
Engkanto (supernatural beings), which reside in places called Mariit, e.g., cliffs, bamboo
groves, boulders, and earth mounds. They either prey on people or, at the very least, play
tricks on them. The Engkanto are also believed to be fairies that appear beautiful to mortals.
Belief in the power of the babaylan has not completely disappeared either, although their
number has dwindled. In pre-Christian times, the babaylan played an important political,
social, religious, and cultural role. They were advisers to the datu, and the spiritual and
physical healers of the community. They officiated in ceremonies that marked the life cycle
of each villager.
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Architecture and Community Planning
The traditional house of the Capiznon is
made of bamboo and Nipa or cogon leaves.
It is square, with one to two rooms. The
roof, palaya (pyramid shaped) or Binalay
(hip shaped), is made of either cogon or
Nipa leaves.
Visual Arts and Crafts
The traditional weaving method of piña (pineapple fiber) is called Pili or Sinuksuk. This is a
floating weft technique accomplished after cloth weaving, an intricate process for
embellishing piña fabric before it is cut and sewn into a gown.
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CEBUANO TRIBE
The Cebuano people (Cebuano: Mga Sugbuanon)
constitute about one-fifth of the population of the
Philippines and are the second largest
Ethnolinguistic group in the country.
RELIGION OF CEBUANO
The majority of Cebuano‘s are Roman Catholic,
with many in rural areas synchronizing
Catholicism with indigenous Bisaya folk religion.
The most celebrated patron saint in Cebu is the
Señor Santo Niño de Cebú, the Holy Child Jesús.
LANGUAGE OF CEBUANO
Cebuano is closely related to the languages of the Hiligaynon (Ilonggo) and Waray-Waray,
and it is sometimes grouped with those languages as a dialect of Visayan (Bisaya).
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According to the 2020 census, it has a
population of 964,169 people, making it
the sixth-most populated city in the nation
and the most populous in the Visayas. It is
estimated that there are 15.8 million
people in the Philippines who speak
Cebuano as their first language
(Ethnologue). It is the second most spoken
language in the Philippines after Tagalog.
TRADITION OF CEBUANO
Cebu has one of the most colorful and world-renowned
festivals in the Philippines and they celebrate it with
excitement and high spirits. Cebu celebrates different
festivals in different towns and cities. Cebu celebrates
fiestas with religious rituals and dancing in the streets to
the beat of the drums.
The Cebuano‘s observe certain customs and traditions
about birth, baptism, courtship, marriage, death and
burial. The coming of a child is welcomed by a
Cebuano family for it is about to give birth, Pomelo
leaves are placed under the house so as to drive away all
evil spirits which maybe hovering around.
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BELIEF AND PRACTICES OF
CEBUANO
BIRTH DEATH
After the child is born, the placenta is
buried at the seashore to insure the baby‘s
good health.
It is a sign of good luck when the first born
is a boy.
For the baby‘s first haircut some pieces of
hair is saved and inserted in a prayer book
to make the child a wide reader when he
grows up.
Cebuano‘s believe that people should not
sweep the floor when a family member
dies fir it might cause the death of other
family members.
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FESTIVALS OF CEBUANO
Sinulog Festival
3rd Sunday of January (Cebu City)
People shout ―Viva Pit Señor‖. The Sinulog is
Cebu City‘s most popular and grandest
festival. It is celebrated every 3rd Sunday of
January in honor of the Señor Sto.
Niño. Foreign and local tourists flock to Cebu
City for this celebration and join in the
procession and the grand mardi gras parade.
Tagbo Festival
19th of January (Poro, Camotes Island)
It is celebrated every January in honor of
patron Sto. Niño de Poro. Beloved memoir
of a living past, Tagbo is the cornerstone
from which this great municipality has
sprung. Rich in cultural heritage and deep in
spiritual values, Tagbo is a very significant
event precluding the birth of a town very
dear to the hearts of her sons and daughters.
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Bod-bod Festival
10th Of February (Catmon)
The town of Catmon is famous for its tasty
―bodbod‖ and thus is the focus of the
festival. The street dancing competition is
participated by the different barangays has
its dance movements, the movement of
making the bodbod with the costumes in
bodbod concept.
Kawayan Festival
2nd of December (Alegria)
―Kawayan‖ is the vernacular term for bamboo
and is the major source of livelihood/income in
Alegria. The street dancing competition is based
on the kawayan and is slated during the town‘s
fiesta in honor of Saint Francis Javier.
Palawod Festival
Last week of June (Bantayan, Bantayan Island)
Palawod is the fishermen‘s daily toil, their means of
livelihood, their life, and pride. The street dancing
captures and preserves the Bantayanon‘s unique
traditional fishing rituals inherent to the island
through dancing, music and the visual arts.
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ESKAYA TRIBE
Eskaya Tribe is one of the less visited places in Bohol. They are an indigenous group found
in the towns of Duero, Guindulman, Sierra Bullones, and Pilar. The tribe has its own distinct
culture, literature, and language. The most common settlement of the tribe is located in
barangay Taytay, Duero, Bohol.
The Eskaya Tribe is located on
Bohol, an island in the Southern
Philippines. According to the last
census in 2000 it had a population
of around 3000. They live in a few
villages in the mountains and along
the coast
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CULTURE OF ESKAYA
The Eskaya, less commonly known as the Visayan-Eskaya, is the collective name for the
members of a cultural minority found in Bohol, Philippines, which is distinguished by its
cultural heritage, particularly its literature, language, dress and religious observances.
ESKAYA LITERATURE
Eskaya literature was first dictated for transcription by Mariano Datahan whose words
were recorded by personal scribes. These texts – which comprise local oral history and
regional folklore – have sometimes been referred to by journalists as the ―karaang mga libro‖
or "old books".
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LANGUAGE OF ESKAYA
Eskayan is an artificial auxiliary language of the Eskaya people of Bohol, an island province
of the Philippines. It is grammatically Boholano, the native language of Bohol, with a
substituted lexicon. While Eskayan has no mother-tongue speakers, it is taught by volunteers
in at least three cultural schools in the southeast interior of the province. The earliest attested
document in Eskayan provisionally dates from 1908, and was on display at the Bohol
Museum until September 2006.
Clothing of Eskaya
Formerly, Eskaya men would wear shirts made
of piña raffia with a Chinese-style collar, black
breeches, and cotton berets. Women wore piña
dresses with bulging sleeves similar to the
Spanish-influenced Boholano style (mostly in
Biabas) and covered their hair with cotton habits
(mostly in Taytay).
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TRADITION AND BELIEF
Traditionally, women were not permitted to cut their hair short nor wear trousers, and
drinking and dancing were universally prohibited. For the most part these customs have
been discontinued, however traditional dress is sometimes worn on Sundays and special
occasions.
FESTIVAL OF ESKAYA
The celebration of Kalipay festival (happiness festival) is held on every 8th day of
September, the birthday of Mama Mary. In line with this, the Eskaya scouts joined the
grandest celebration.
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HILIGAYNON TRIBE
Hiligaynon is the fourth largest language of the Philippines, representing approximately 10%
of the national population. Its seven million speakers are located throughout Negros
Occidental, southeastern Panay, Guimaras Island, and in urban centers of Mindanao (Davao
and Zamboanga) and of Palawan (Puerto Princesa). It is a major trade language of the
Western Visayan region (e.g., Antique and Aklan). Hiligaynon, often referred to as Ilonggo,
is an Austronesian language spoken in the Western Visayas region of the Philippines.
Long before the 1600's, the fertility of the Western Visayas region in the Philippines
permitted the Hiligaynon people to develop one of the archipelago's most advanced societies.
They engaged in international trade (as evidence by large finds of Chinese porcelain) and
created fine work in gold and semiprecious stones.
Large-scale sugar production for the world market created small group elite‘s citizens, most
of whom were mestizo (mixed race). They enjoyed an opulent lifestyle on vast plantations.
With the drop in the price of sugar in the 1980's and 1990's, the region entered a steep
economic decline.
Hiligaynon
Pronunciation:
hee - lee -GUY -nohn
Alternate Name:
ILLONGGO
Location:
Philippines (Western Visayas)
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DID YOU KNOW
The term ―Hiligaynon‖ is said to be a hispanized contraction of the
phrase ―manog-ilig sang kawayan,‖ ‗bamboo floaters‘, meaning
people whose occupation was to float bamboo poles downriver to
sell as building materials.
Geographically and culturally, the heartland of the Hiligaynon area lies along both sides of
the broken straits separating Panay and Negros. The coastal cities of Iloilo, on the former,
and Bacolod, on the latter, serve as economic and administrative centers for the region. Most
Hiligaynon however, live in small rural barrios where the main economic activity is farming
or, occasionally, fishing.
The major crops are rice, corn (maize), sugarcane, and coconuts.
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LIVING CONDITION
Houses are raised 9 to 13 feet (3 to 4 meters) off the ground; walls are of plaited (braided)
bamboo, and roofs are of Nipa or coconut palm leaves or cogon grass. Sulay, bamboo, or
timber props are placed against all sides of a house to keep it from being blown away by
typhoons. The room for receiving guests is separated from the rest of the house by a wall; a
sofa and two side chairs occupy the space immediately inside the front door. Small children
of both sexes sleep together, but once they are older, boys sleep near the door and girls sleep
in a bedroom at the back. Animals are kept under the house, and rice is stored there (if not in
a separate granary structure). The house lot is enclosed with a bamboo fence or a hedge of
ornamental plants; fruit tree groves and gardens are nearby.
FOOD
The eating pattern is either three meals a day or two meals (at 10:00–11:00 AM and 4:00–
5:00 PM). Between-meal snacks consist of rice cakes, boiled roots, or bananas. Family
members eat at their own convenience but are encouraged to eat together. Ordinarily, people
eat with their hands while sitting on the floor; silverware and tables are reserved for the use of
guests. Men do not eat breakfast unless, as a gesture of hospitality, they are joining visitors
who are being served breakfast. Around 6:00 PM, men gather for tuba (palm wine) drinking
sessions in the tree groves between houses (some women may also join them).
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For fieldwork, men wear worn-out short
pants and often go shirtless.
On formal occasions, however, they wear
long pants, shirts, and shoes (otherwise
they go barefoot).
Married women wear either
a bestida (dress) or a patadyong (tube
skirt) with a blouse. Traditional weaving is
nearly extinct, but was a thriving industry
before the nineteenth-century import of
British manufactured cloth.
For pangalap (magical protection), many
older men wear tattoos (a crucifix, initials,
or female figures). At the time of the
Spanish arrival, all the people living in the
Visayan region wore elaborate tattoos,
earning them the name Pintados, "the
painted ones," from their conquerors.
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Almost all Hiligaynon are literate (can read and write). Most children attend elementary
school, which is free, for six years. High school provide four more years of education. Only
about 70 percent go on to high school, because not all families can afford to pay the required
fees. Attending high school may involve travel to a school some distance away.
Experiencing Culture of Ilonggo
The islands of Western Visayas are home to some of the sweets and most cheerful people in
the Philippines, an undeniable observation once you‘ve gotten to know the Ilonggos. For one
thing, they reside in the sugar capitol of the country, with tourists and locals carrying boxes
of Piaya and Biscocho upon leaving the islands to share with their loved ones in other parts of
the country. The Ilonggos are also a friendly and caring people, and their bright and
welcoming smiles can make anyone feel right at home.
Citizens of Iloilo and Bacolod love good company, good ambiance, and a good meal. For this
reason, their get-togethers usually last for hours, with dinners sometimes extending until past
midnight. They love to catch up with old friends and keep themselves updated, which is easy
when everyone knows everyone else. Like their food, the Spanish influence is still strong in
their way of life. They enjoy naps in the afternoon called siestas, and are prayerful, and
family oriented.
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Hiligaynon is a member of the Visayan branch of the Central Philippine language family. In
2010 there were about 9.3 million native speakers of Hiligaynon, and a further 5 million
people spoke it as a second language. Hiligaynon is spoken mainly in Iloilo province on
Panay Island in the Western Visayas region of the Philippines.
Hiligaynon is closely related to and mutually intelligible with other languages spoken on
Panay Island: Capiznon, Aklanon, and Kinaray-a.
Hiligaynon alphabet and pronunciation
VOCABULARY
As a result of prolonged contact
Hiligaynon has many loanwords from
Spanish, English, and neighboring
Filipino languages such as Tagalog and
Cebuano. Most loanwords were
assimilated into the sound system of
Hiligaynon.
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Violating norms (such as insulting spiritual mediums) will earn Gaba, supernatural
punishment. Those who humiliate others will suffer the same amount of humiliation in turn,
called Ulin.
SPORTS
Tumbang patis, popular with both boys and
girls, involves two or more children
throwing rocks at a tin can while someone
who is "it" watches the can, putting it back
in place when hit; if a player is caught
retrieving the stone he or she has thrown, he
or she becomes "it."
Other popular games include: "gun
fighting" with bamboo popguns; beetle-
and spider-fighting
Crafts and Hobbies
Hiligaynon practices weaving baskets, place mats, and textiles.
WEAVING BASKETS PLACE MATS TEXTILES
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FESTIVAL OF HILIGAYNON
Dinagyang Festival: A Gorgeous Celebration of
Faith and Trade
Dinagyang is a Hiligaynon word that means ―merrymaking.‖ Just like the Sinulog and Ati-
Atihan Festivals, Dinagyang Festival is one of the religious festivities in the Philippines that
celebrate the feast of the Santo Niño and the pact between the Datus and locals.
Every 4th Sunday of January, the festival transforms the Iloilo City into a massive street party
with overflowing drinks and food. The most exciting part is that the city hosts a highly
competitive Dinagyang Festival dance contest and grand float parades.
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KINARAY-A TRIBE
Kinaray- a people are part of the wider Visayan
Ethnolinguistic group which the largest
Ethnolinguistic group.
The name "Kinaray-a" refers to both the ethnic
group and their language that are concentrated in
the provinces of Antique and Iloilo. It is derived
from the word Iraya meaning "upstream" and
known as "the language of the Sacada and
the muchacho‖.
The Kinaray-a number 600,534 in 2010. They were first believed to be the descendants of
immigrants from Borneo through the epic-myth of the "Ten Bornean Datus". Recent findings,
however, revealed that the ancestors of the Kinaray-a are the Austronesian-speaking
immigrants who came from southern china during the iron age. They primarily speak
kinaray-a. Meanwhile, Hiligaynon, Tagalog, and English are used as second languages. Most
are Christians. About 80% are Roman Catholics, and the rest are Protestants. Some people
belonging to the Sudlonon or sulod tribe are animists. As of 2015, there are about 1,300,000
Kinaray-speakers all over the country. About 45% from Antique province, 38% from Iloilo
and 7% in Mindanao specifically Sultan Kudarat and North Cotabato.
San Jose – The province of Antique located in the Western Visayas Region is home to the
Kinaray-a or Karay-a people. It is one of the five provinces comprising Region VI. Antique is
bounded by the rugged central mountains of Panay, as well as the provinces of Capiz on the
east, Aklan in the northeast, Iloilo in the southeast, and finally, the Sulu Sea on the west.
Antique can be reached via land travel from Iloilo or Aklan, where Boracay Island, the
Philippines' most famous beach destination, is located.
The Kinaray-a population are dispersed in certain portions of Capiz, Aklan, Guimaras, and Palawan.
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SOURCE OF INCOME: FARMING
AND FISHING
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DOMINANCE OF HILIGAYNON
OVER KINARAY-A LANGUAGE
Many of the "old rich" families or ―Hacienderos‖ living in Negros hailed from the lowlands
of Iloilo and migrated during the boom of the sugar industry, who eventually became owners
of huge sugar plantations called Azucareras. Thus, Hiligaynon was associated with the
affluent clans during the Spanish and American periods because it is the language spoken by
the ruling classes in the province. By contrast, most of the farm workers or Sacadas were
people from Antique who are speakers of Kinaray-a.
Since Hiligaynon developed as the lingua franca and adopted as the language of businesses in
Panay, most Kinaray-a speakers and writers were forced to use Hiligaynon. Although there is
an ample number of written Kinaray-a literature in the last decades, majority of those works
were unpublished and hard to find. Even the authenticity of Kinaray-a speakers is
questionable, as the Kinaray-a have been grouped with Hiligaynon. While the two languages
have many similarities, they are distinct in several ways such as the usage of letter "r" in
Kinaray-a, which is replaced with "l" in Hiligaynon. Hence, the word Harigi (meaning
"post") in Kinaray-a is Haligi in Hiligaynon language.
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SUCCESSFUL REVITALIZATION OF
KINARAY-A LANGUAGE AND
CULTURE
Most Antiqueños adopted Hiligaynon until the late Evelio Javier became governor of the
province and revived the Kinaray-a language. He encouraged the locals to discover the
richness of the Kinaray-a culture as well to speak the language regularly. It was also through
his efforts that the Binirayan Festival was born, which is now one of the well-known festivals
in the Philippines. It reenacts the arrival and settlement of the 10 Bornean datus in the year
1240 in Barangay Malandog, Hamtic, and Antique.
Another brilliant initiative from the people of Antique that speak Kinaray-a is creating a
private non-stock, non-profit organization called Dungug Kinaray-a. Its mission is to
constantly promote, gather, and preserve Kinaray-a literature by consistently speaking and
writing in the language. Nowadays, written Kinaray-a works of literature are easily accessible
to everyone. Thus, Kinaray-a writers and talents have become more widely known.
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CULTURE
Most Kinaray-a engage in agriculture, as well as in cottage industries. Several towns in
Antique have the distinction of producing quality ware ranging from salakot and sawali from
Belison, bamboo-craft from San Jose, ceramics from Sibalom, pottery from Bandoja, Tibiao;
mats from Pandan and Libertad; and loom-woven patadyong (barrel skirt) from Bagtason,
Bugasong, the only one of its kind in the Visayas and well known throughout Panay. Music,
such as courtship songs, wedding hymns, and funeral recitals, is well-developed, as it is with
dance.
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MAGAHAT TRIBE
Magahat are also known as Ati- man or
bogeyman, But technically Magahat‘s belong with
the ill-defined group of people. Tells us nothing
about their ethnic identifies. Dr. Timotea S.
Oracion - His findings revealed that the Magahat
people is separate, distinct group with established
social boundaries different from its neighbors, the
Bukidnon. There are conflicting claims as to the
existence of Magahat as an indigenous group in
southern Negros and these have continued to
becloud the issue up to the present. That the
indigenous groups in the mountain areas of
southern Negros are Magahat has to some extent
become controversial and debatable.
LOCATION
Magahat is Located in Negros Island of
Visayas, especially found in southwestern
Negros, Santa Catalina, Bayawan, and Siaton
in Negros Oriental
Their language is a mixture of Hiligaynon and
Sugbuhanon
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Current population
is around 2,478.
The Magahats' major means of subsistence are food gathering, swidden agriculture and
animal hunting. They harvest main crops such as mountain rice, maize, manioc, and sweet
potato. Gathering fruits, vegetables and root crops have become their main food resource.
While gathering is considered a regular activity, hunting wild pigs, birds and bats was seen as
one of their important and leisure activities, the most popular game of men.
LIVELIHOOD
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The Magahats live in the mountains of Basay,
near rivers and streams with houses made from
forest materials. Their houses are simple, without
partition, and decorated with hanging skulls of the
animal horns and weapons.
The Magahats believe in spirits, like most
Visayans. They use anting-anting to fight
evil spirits. Death, however, is not feared by
the Magahats. They believe that it is just a
journey from earth to the other side of the
world.
Tattooing is a skill among the Magahats. Their art is
reflected in the weapons and jewelry they make.
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POROHANON TRIBE
The Porohanon of Philippines, numbering
43,500, are Engaged yet Unreached. They are
part of the Filipino, Tribal people cluster
within the Malay Peoples affinity bloc. This
people group is only found in Philippines.
Their primary language is Porohanon. The
primary religion practiced by the Porohanon is
Roman Catholicism, the largest branch of the
Christian church and one of the oldest
religious institutions in the world. Roman
Catholicism teaches that it is the one true
Churches founded by Jesus Christ and that its
bishops are the successors of Christ.
Located in the Poro Island of Cebu, they are
a minor Visayan ethnic group. They
primarily speak the Porohanon language
with Cebuano as the second. The two
languages have few similarities with each
other but the Porohanon is closer to
Hiligaynon languages.
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Porohanon Fiest
Tagbo Festival
One of the festivals celebrated in the Camotes Islands is the Tagbo Festival. The festival is
celebrated in the month of January and is held in honor of the patron of the town of Poro, the
Santo Niño. While the Sinulog may be considered as the grandest festival honoring the Santo
Niño, the Tagbo Festival of Poro in Camotes is equally colorful albeit on a smaller scale.
POROHANON LANGUAGE
Porohanon is distinguish from the means by which the locals substitute /j/ sounds with /z/, for
instance, Cebuano , ―maayong buntag‖ ( good morning) vocalized as ―maazong buntag‖ in
Porohanon. Other variation contains the Porohanon, ―ara dira‖ instead of the regular Cebuano
―na-a diha‖.
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Raw Materials of Porohanon
Poro is a non- industrial but basically a fishing and agricultural town
Various types of raw materials:
1. Copra
2. Fruits
3. Vegetable
4. Corn
5. Root crops
6. Bamboo
7. Nipa leaves
8. Livestock and poultry products
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SAMA-ABAKNON
TRIBE
The Abaknon (Capul Samal, Capuleno) live on the island of Capul on the northern tip of
Samar in the San Bernardino Straits, south of the province of Sorsogon.
Although set across Central Philippines from the Sulu and Tawi-Tawi archipelagoes where
the Sama groups live, the Abaknon speak a language that is related to the Sama, and not to
the languages of the peoples about them like the Bicol and Waray.
The largest concentrations of this population are in northern Samar (8,840) and in Capul
(8,735) with a total population of some 9,870 (NSO 1980).
HISTORY
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Inabaknon is not classified as part of the Visayan language family, but is rather grouped with
the Sama–Bajao languages.
Inabaknon is a member of the Sama-Bajaw branch of the Malayo-Polynesian language
family. It is spoken by about 26,000 people mainly in Eastern Visayas Region of the
Philippines, particularly on the island of Capul in Northern Samar Province.
Their primary language is Inabaknon
• Sample text
• I bungto si abaknon ta Capul adda isla si Pilipinas. Aka'anna'-to si San Bernardino
Strait nga pagka-bulagan-na si Luzon pati' Samar. Siray, nga'a-runan-to dahulo Abal
tungod si primero mga a'a manakka ato, antes pada'ito i mga Kastila'.
• Translation
• The town of aboknon or Capul is an island in the Philippines. It can be found in the
San Bernardino Strait that separates Luzon and Samar. Long ago it was first named
Abak because of the first people to arrive here, before the coming of the Spanish.
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RELIGIOUS PRACTICE OF
ABAKNON
The primary religion practiced by the Abaknon Sama is Roman Catholicism, the largest
branch of the Christian church and one of the oldest religious institutions in the world.
Roman Catholicism teaches that it is the one true Churches founded by Jesus Christ and that
its bishops are the successors of Christ.
ABAKNON CULTURE AND
TRADITION
The orientation of the people is marine with the basic industry focused on fishing, with set
rice farming toward the interior.
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ABAKNON FESTIVAL
Island-town introduced the Abaknon Festival as part of the celebrations for the feast of our
patron saint, St. Ignatius of Loyola. Abaknon is the name that collectively embraces all the
residents of the island of Capul, who share a unique dialect and a simple lifestyle.
Those who have participated in the frenetic, frenzied dancing in many of the festivals in the
Philippines will be taken-aback by the slow, graceful steps of the Abaknon dancers. This is
because the festival puts to fore the "Dos Amigos" a folkdance that has been recognized to be
historically attached to the islanders.
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SULOD TRIBE
Sulod is the term used for a Philippine
Ethnolinguistic group inhabiting the slopes of the
mountains along the banks of the Panay River
between Mt. Saya and Mt. Baloy in central Panay
Island. They can also be found in Tapaz in Capiz,
Lambuano in Iloilo, and Valderrama in Antique.
They are known mainly for their unique Binukot
tradition, as well as their popular Binanog dance
and the epic poem Hinilawod.
The Sulod acquired their name because of the sandwich-like location of their territory, the
term "sulod" meaning "interior" or "closed place". They are also called "montesses by
lowlanders, meaning literally "mountain dwellers." To distinguish them from the Ati who live
in the foothills, the Christian lowlanders have given these hill tribesmen distinct names.
Those in the mountains of Capiz and Aklan are called "mundos" while those in Iloilo and
Antique are called "buki", short for "bukidnon" or "mountain folk" which has become a
derogatory term. The dialects of these upland peoples are genetically related and very similar
to the lowland Kintray-a. The mountain dialects, however, are characterized by many archaic
expressions, thus accounting for the difficulty which Kintray-a-speaking lowlanders meet
when talking to these upland dwellers. Most of the mountain people are monolingual.
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Total Population 81, 189(2010)
Regions with significant population
Philippines (Western Visayas)
Sudlonon, Hiligaynon, Kinaray-a, Aklanon,
Filipino, English
RELIGION
Traditional religion and Folk Christianity
(Roman Catholic)
RELATED
ETHNOLINGUISTIC
GROUP
Visayas and other Filipino peoples, other
Austronesian people.
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SETTLEMENT PATTERN AND
HOUSING
PURO
Another distinctive Sulod practice is shifting cultivation; that is, they rarely stay in one place
for more than two years. While they are in a particular site, they grow upland rice and other
crops for their daily needs.
During their stay in their Kaingin site, they live in clusters of settlements called Puro. A puro
is normally located on top of a high ridge, with houses typically constructed as four-walled,
one-room dwellings, about three meters in height, and supported with bamboo or timber
posts. They are usually located beside a river so that inhabitants can have easy access to water
and riverine foods. At the same time, they can guard their kaingin site from wild animals.
Additionally, a hut called Urub can be found in front of the house used for emergency
purposes, such as during a storm.
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PARANGKUTON
Each puro is composed of five to seven houses and is headed by the eldest man called
parangkuton ("counselor"), with his title literally translating to "one to be asked." The
parangkuton is the main person in charge of officiating over activities such as hunting, house
building, and moving to a new kaingin site. Moreover, he is in charge of resolving disputes, as
well as overseeing annual social and religious events. Each parangkuton is assisted by a young
man called timbang ("helper" or "assistant‖). When the parangkuton dies, a transfer of leadership
happens and the remaining oldest man in the puro inherits the title.
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The most unique and notable Sulod tradition is the practice of keeping binukot. The binukot are
selected among the beautiful young women of the tribe and are hidden away in closed rooms,
away from the eyes of men.
During the time they are kept, they become the record keepers of their people, working to
memorize many Visayan epics such as the famous tale of Hinilawod, as well as the stories of
Humadapnon, Suguidanon, and Labaw Donggon.
The Binukot are equivalent to princesses, and so these women are treated with the care and
attention befitting their stature in the community.
When they are of the right age, they are auctioned for marriage.
TRADITION OF SULOD
BINUKOT
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SULOD'S WAY OF LIFE (DEATH
AND BURIAL)
The Sulod ethno religion shapes their way of life. They act according to the wishes of the
spirits and deities, with whom their Baylan communicates during their religious rites,
especially during their 16 major annual ceremonies, which are specifically to celebrate their
principal spirit Diwata. On normal days, the baylan mainly communicate with preeminent
spirits during séances and interpret dreams and omens for their community.
On important occasions, Sulod women don headdresses of cloth lined with silver coins, as
well as beaded necklaces. By contrast, men sport ordinary buri hats as headwear, with elders
opting for G-strings. They then perform their binanog dance, accompanied by an Agung
ensemble, with the dance mimicking the flight of the Philippine eagle. Their performances
also include traditional songs, dances, and epics, highlighted by bamboo musical instruments.
Another art form that Sulod‘s take pride in is their detailed embroidery called Panubok,
which they showcase during their Tinubkan fashion show in Iloilo City.
One important Sulod tradition is their Balasan or "wake of the dead." This is when a loved
one has died and everyone in the community chips in with material things to condole with the
bereaved family.
Interestingly, a Sulod of important stature, such as a baylan or parangkuton, is not buried in
the ground, unlike an ordinary Sulod. Instead, a special coffin is made for them, which is then
placed in a shed made of cogon grass called Kantang on top of a solitary hill. Then, after two
or three months, the bones are removed, washed, and wrapped in a black cloth, to be
suspended under the eaves of the house. It is believed that the Sulods' death or manners of
dying were pre-determined by the three brothers Manggangl Manlaegas, and Patag'aes, as
stated in their mythology.
84

91
WARAY TRIBE
The word Waray means "none" or "nothing" or
"not." In Samar the Waray are known as
Samarenos.
Their native language is called Waray-Waray. It
is the fifth most spoken native language in the
Philippines with more than 3 million native
speakers.
The Waray originate from the Eastern
Visayas region of the Philippines, or the
modern-day provinces of Leyte, Samar,
and Biliran.
Waray stereotypes include being
musical, happy-go-lucky, laid back,
heavy drinkers, and swift to pick fights.
They are about 4.2 million in the early
21st century.
86

92
HISTORY
The Waray‘s are descendants of Austronesian-speaking seafarers who settled the Philippine
archipelago beginning in the Iron Age.
In 1521, the Waray‘s of the east coast of Samar, who called themselves Ibabaonon, were the
first Filipinos to be sighted by Europeans under the leadership of Ferdinand Magellan.
The Waray people speak the Waray, a major
Visayan language. Many also speak Cebuano as
their second language. Some people of Waray
descent speak Waray as their second or third
language, especially among emigrants to Metro
Manila, other parts of the Philippines and
elsewhere in the world.
87

93
WARAY CULTURE AND BRAVERY
Their culture is basically in Visayan. The Waray-Waray are often stereotyped as brave
warriors, as popularized in the tagline, "basta ang Waray, hindi uurong sa away" (Waray
never back down from a fight.)Farming and fishing is the main livelihood.
The Waray is imbued with courage, which is a quality of being brave. They are very well-
known to have the ability to face danger, difficulty, uncertainty, or pain without being
overcome by fear or being deflected from a chosen course of action.
WARAY TRADITION
Many Waray-Waray traditions can be traced to pre-colonial times. For example, the Kuratsa
dance is a very popular traditional dance of the Waray-Waray at many social gatherings,
especially weddings. It is very common throughout Samar. The couple who dances the
Kuratsa is showered with money by the people around them.
88

94
Belief and Practices of Waray
The Tribal Waray believed in many deities, or Diwata. There were almost 50 gods or
goddesses in Waray mythology, for everything from rainbows, greediness, time, flying
creatures, and poison, to different worlds.
There were also many rituals, since they believed there were spirits in everything around
them.
Fiestas are celebrated with prayer, food/drinking dance and music.
89

95
WARAY TRADITION CLOTHING
90

96
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