For education purpose only

1. Indigenous People Education
EDWIN M.
VILLANOS

2. Indigenous and ethnic groups are both terms refer
to groups of people who share some common
characteristics such as culture, language, culture,
religion or ancestry. However they are exactly the
same.
Here are some differences:

3. Example, the Igorot people of the Philippines
are both Indigenous and ethnic, because they
are native to the Cordillera Mountain range
and have a unique culture and language.
The Chinese Filipinos on the other hand, are an
ethnic group but not indigenous, because they
are descendants of migrants from China who
settled in the Philippines over several centuries.

4.  Indigenous groups often have a special legal status
and rights that recognize their historical and cultural
connection to the land and natural resources.
 Ethnic groups may or may not have such rights
depending on the laws and policies of the country they
live in
 Indigenous groups are usually minorities in terms of
population, power and often face discrimination,
marginalization and oppression from the dominant
groups.
 Ethnic groups maybe also be minorities, but some
maybe majorities or have more influence and
representations in the society.

5. Ex. The Moro people of the Philippines are the minorities group
that comprises about 5% of the total population, and they have
experienced a long history of conflict and violence with the
Philippine government and other groups.
The Tagalog on the other hand, are the largest ethnic groups in the
Philippines, with about 28% of the population, and they have the
dominant role in the politics, economy and culture of the country

6. Teodoro Agoncillo in his book “ History of the
Filipino People “ provides a comprehensive
overview of the Philippine history, including
various aspects of cultural preservation among
indigenous groups.
1. Pre- Spanish Life and Culture:
Agoncillo explores the rich cultural heritage of
indigenous communities before the arrival of
the Spanish colonizers. This section sheds
lights on their customs, rituals, social structures
and artistic expressions.

7. 2. Spanish Rule:
The book of Agoncillo duels into Spanish colonization impacted indigenous
belief and traditions . It discusses the assimilation of Native practices into
Christian rituals, the influence of Spanish arts and architecture and the
preservation of indigenous languages.
3. Filipino-American War:
Agoncillo examines the tumultuous period of the Filipino-American war
(1899-1902). During this time indigenous communities played significant roles
in the fight for independence, preserving their distinct cultural Identities amidst
conflict.
4. American Rule:
The impact of American colonization on indigenous cultures . It addresses
issues such as education, languages, policies and the struggle to maintain
traditional practices in the face of modernization.
5. Campaign for Independence:
Agoncillo highlights indigenous participation in the fight for Philippine
independence . Their resilience, cultural practices and collective memory
contribute to the broader narrative of nation building.

8. Indigenous Cultures and Traditions
1. Pre-Spanish Life and Culture-Stone Age Time
 Prior to the use of metals the Philippines was inhabited by the primitive
pygmies during the old stone age. These inhabitants likely reached in the
islands while there were still the land connection with the Asia or
neighboring Malaysian Islands.
 The Middle Age groups known as the Proto-Malay, arrived around eight to
ten thousand years ago. They were short and stocky, round headed and
straight-haired. Their life style primarily revolved around hunting, trapping
and stone tool production.
 Stone arrow heads and implements made from materials like obsidian, flint,
and chert have been found in various regions, such as the lower foothills of
Rizal and Bulacan provinces

9. New Stone-Age (Neolithic) People:
 These advance groups entered the Philippines by sea and spread across
wide areas.
 Early-Neolitic people (around 3000 to 4000 B.C) practiced dry agriculture.
Their remains have been discovered in broader river valleys in hilly parts of
Rizal and Bulacan.
Late-Neolithic people were even more advanced. They used rectangular
or trapezoidal stone axes and other tools. Their sedentary agriculture
allowed them to build sizable villages and cultivate land continously through
soil fertilization
Social systems and belief:
 Before Spanish colonization, the Philippine archipelago had
semicommunal and semislave social system in many regions. Feudal system
existed, especially in Mindanao and Sulu, where Islam had already taken
root
 Anito the collective pre-hispanic belief system, encompassed spirit,
households deities, deceased ancestors, nature spirits, nymps and minor
gods (Diwata)