Mangyan

"Mangyan" is a collective name of unknown origin for various tribes, the most important of which are:
ALANGAN (1991 SIL). Mt. Halcon, in north central Mindoro
IRAYA (1991 OMF). From Baco to Mamburao, Northern Mindoro
BUHID (BUKIL, BANGON, BATANGAN) Mindoro in the south
TADYAWAN (PULA, TADIANAN, BALABAN) Mindoro in the east
HANUNOO (HANONOO) Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro
Hanuno means “true,” “real” or “genuine.” According to Conklin, when he asked the what kind of
Mangyans they were, the Mangyans’ answers to his queries were nothing else but their claim to be true,
real and genuine Mangyans. True enough because among the Mangyans they have remained faithful to
the traditions of their ancestors.
Hanunuo possess a system of writing which is a descendant of the ancient Snaskrit alphabet. In the
Mangyans syllabary, there are eighteen characters, three of which are vowels and the other fifteen
characters are written combine those vowels. For writing materials, they use the siyaw or a bolo-shaped
kinife for inscribing and the bamboo, either split or whole, for paper.
Hanunuos have two burial occasions. The first takes place soon after death. The second after a year or
two years when the bones have to be exhumed. They believe in a Supreme Being called Maha na
Makaako who watches over them and love them. They also believe that their Supreme Being has a son
called Presidents who executes his father’s command. They also believe in evil spirits and in immortality.
IRAYA
The term iraya is said to mean “man” or “human being.” The Iraya are the Mangyans of Mindoro who
occupy the northwestern part of Mindoro Island. The estimated population of the Iraya-Mangyan is 10,
689 distributed around 141 settlements in the Municipalities of Abra de Ilog, Mamburao and Paluan.
According to the Iraya customs and traditions, the family is considered as the basic unit of production
and consumption. Their kindred system is traced to both the father and mother’s links which their
system refer to us guruan. The nuclear family is referred to us talnakan wherein their already exists a
social order. The eldest takes the place of the parents during their absence and is one considered the
second parent. He/She is likewise considered the intermediar between the parents and the younger
siblings.
RATAGNON
The Ratagnon who are sometimes called the Latagnon or Datagnon occupy the southernmost tip of the
Mindoro Island facing the Sulu Sea. The Ratagnon of the Occidental Mindoro has an estimated
population of 17, 562 scattered in around 200 Ratagnon settlements
Like all the other Mangyan communities, the Ratagnon are engaged in swidden agriculture. Their villages
are not formally developed and settlements of four to five houses per settlements are located apart
from each other. A typical Ratagnon house is made of indigenous materials – mostly of wood, bamboo,
and nipa.
Some of the male members of the Ratagnon community still wear their traditional dress which consists
of a loincloth as a lower garment. The women wear woven cotton used as wrap-around matched with
an upper garment made of handwoven nito just enough to cover the breasts.
TADYAWAN
Similar to most Mangyans, Tadyawans’ traditional clothing comprises a red cloth on the chest and a
white waist wraparound called talapi for women, and a g-string called abay for men. Men and women
adorn themselves with bracelets and necklaces made of beads.
Tadyawans practice swidden agriculture, similar to the other Mangyan tribes. Oftentimes, they would
also venture to the lowlands to sell their harvested crops and livestock. Additionally, just like the Iraya
Mangyans, they would be seen eating mostly rice, bananas, sweet potatoes, and other root crops as
their steady diet.
BUHID
The Buhid Mangyan are known to be farmers. Swidden farming or kaingin has always been their main
source of livelihood. This process entails slash-and-burn forest vegetation to concentrate soil nutrients
into a carpet of ash and ensure that the forest-cover will be quickly replaced with cultivated plants and
trees. While slash-and-burn is not widely advocated, this practice promotes, what anthropologist
Clifford Geertz, recognizes as controlled jungle ecology (Gibson, 1986:34). Like many indigenous groups,
swidden farming has been perfected through enduring practice among Buhid Mangyans. This mastery
paved way for its economical and environmental sustainability.
ALANGAN
The Alangan Mangyans live in the municipalities of Naujan, Baco, San Teodoro, and Victoria in Oriental
Mindoro, and in the municipality of Sablayan in Occidental Mindoro.
The name Alangan was derived from the name of a river and mountain slopes in the upper Alangan
Valley [Leykamm, 1979].

Mangyan

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"Mangyan" is a collective name of unknown origin for various tribes, the most important of which are:

ALANGAN (1991 SIL). Mt. Halcon, in north central Mindoro

IRAYA (1991 OMF). From Baco to Mamburao, Northern Mindoro

BUHID (BUKIL, BANGON, BATANGAN) Mindoro in the south

TADYAWAN (PULA, TADIANAN, BALABAN) Mindoro in the east

HANUNOO (HANONOO) Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro

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