THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES

TOURISTS SPOT

TARSIER IN BOHOL

UNDERGROUND RIVER IN PALAWAN

BANAUE RICE TERRACES

                 THE ISLAND OF BORACAY

CULTURES AND TRADITIONS

This article refers to the tradition of the natives of Ifugao in the Cordillera Mountain ranges (Philippines) particularly the “Tuwali” tribe for an adult who had died of illness. Persons who have died of violence, drowned or otherwise the death is not due to illness are accorded different specific rituals. Different type of ritual is also given to dead Infants and women who had died while giving birth. The burial traditions of early Ifugaos have several variations. This is due to the fact that early farming villages are separated by the vast mountain range and rice fields. It is literally the kinship system that keeps a distinct family or clan in one abode or adjacent farming villages. Hence, intermarriages within the village or adjacent villages are not remote. It is further aggravated by warring communities which hampers the free travel to other villages or hamlets without the worry of being harmed or a chance target of headhunting expeditions. This explains also the fact that the “tuwali” dialect alone, not mentioning the other Ifugao tribes, differs in dialect terminologies, jargons and intonations. While there are several variations on how the tradition is practiced, it practically emanated from one ethnological group.

MANSAKA TRIBES

The Mansaka tribes are found in the provinces of Davao del Norte and Compostela Valley, the tribe of Mansaka specifically dwells in the areas of Manat Valley, the Maragusan Valley, the Hijo River Valley, and the seacoasts of Kingking, Maco, Kwambog, Hijo, Tagum, Libuganon, Tuganay, Ising, and Panabo. The etymology of the name “Mansaka” is derived from the words “man” meaning “first” and “saka” meaning “to ascend”. Therefore, Mansaka means “the first people to ascend the mountains or go upstream”.

Generally with fair with bridged noses, brown hair, and oval faces, some scholars have classified the Mansaka as a distinctive subgroup of Mandaya. In 1972 the population estimate of the Mansaka was around 4,000. The Mandaya-Mansaka group of languages is often classified under the Manuvu linguistic group. This includes the dialects of the Tagacaolo of Davao del Sur, Davaoeno of Davao City, Mansaka or Mandaya of Davao del Norte, and Isamal of Samal Island, linguistically speaking.

The Ati, a Negrito ethnic group, are mostly found in Western and Central Visayas. Large concentrations are found in Aklan, Capiz, Antique, and Iloilo on Panay Island, and the biggest group is in Iloilo. There are also Ati populations on the islands of Guimaras and Negros (comprising Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental). Few Atis still speak their traditional language, as it has been replaced by Kinary-a, which is spoken in Antique and some parts of Iloilo.

Atis cultivate a variety of crops for their livelihood. Tobacco is bartered for the products of their Visayan neighbors. During September and October, they work at the sugar plantations of Christian landowners. Other means of subsistence are hunting, fishing, handicrafts, and bow-and-arrow making; working as household help and midwives; and practicing herbal medicine as herbolarios.

FOODS

PANSIT

BALOT



LUMPIA

LECHON BABOY