THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLES

Defining Indigenous Peoples, Indigenous

Peoples in the Philippines, and the Ethno-
graphic Map)

Prepared by: Ms. Jones K. Liwan

Who are Indigenous
Peoples?
Indigenous Peoples
(IPs) are communities
that have historically
maintained distinct
cultures, traditions, and
ways of life, often
predating modern
state formations.
Who are Indigenous
Peoples?
They have deep
ancestral ties to the
land they inhabit and
possess unique social,
economic, cultural, and
political structures that
differentiate them from
dominant societies.
 Who are Indigenous
Peoples?

"Indigenous Peoples are distinct social and

cultural groups that share collective
ancestral ties to the lands and natural
resources where they live, occupy, or from
which they have been displaced.“

-United Nations
 KEY CHARACTERISTICS
Ancestral Ties to Cultural
the Land Distinctiveness
Have occupied Have unique
and stewarded a languages,
particular territory customs,
long before governance
colonization or systems, and
state formation. spiritual beliefs.
 KEY CHARACTERISTICS
Self-Identification as Struggle for Rights and
Indigenous Recognition

They identify Often face discrimination,

themselves, and are displacement, and loss of
recognized by others, land due to colonization,
as Indigenous industrialization, and
Peoples. development projects.
KEY CHARACTERISTICS
Political and Social
Organization

Many indigenous societies

have governance systems that
predate modern states,
including councils of elders,
tribal chieftains, and
customary laws.
 INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION OF
INDIGENOUS PEOPLES
UNITED NATIONS DECLARATION ON
THE RIGHTS OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES

• Recognizes the rights of

indigenous peoples to their land,
identity, language, and self-
determination.

• Emphasizes free, prior, and

informed consent before
development projects affect
indigenous territories.
 ILO Convention No. 169 (1989)

• A legally binding
international
treaty that
protects the rights
of indigenous and
tribal peoples.
World Bank and Other Organizations

• The World Bank

and international
NGOs recognize
the need to protect
indigenous cultural
heritage and land
rights.
INDIGENOUS PEOPLES IN THE PHILIPPINES
• The Philippines is home to
more than 110 indigenous
ethnolinguistic groups,
making up approximately
14-17 million people or
about 10-15% of the
country's population.

• These groups have

diverse cultural identities
and are spread across
Luzon, Visayas, and
Mindanao.
• Indigenous Peoples
in the Philippines are
officially recognized
under the Indigenous
Peoples’ Rights Act
(IPRA) of 1997, which
grants them rights to
their ancestral
domains, self-
governance, and
cultural preservation.
INDIGENOUS PEOPLES IN LUZON
AETA / AGTA /
DUMAGAT / ABELLING
• Considered one of the earliest
inhabitants of the Philippines.
• Nomadic lifestyle, hunting
and gathering.
• Expert archers and forest
survivalists.
• Dark-skinned, curly-haired,
and short in stature.
IFUGAO
•Known for the Banaue
Rice Terraces, a UNESCO
heritage site.
•Skilled in woodcarving,
weaving, and rice
cultivation.
•Have a rich oral
tradition, including the
Hudhud Chants.
KALINGA
• Famous for traditional
tattoos (batok), once a
mark of bravery.
• Practice headhunting in
the past, but now known
for peace pacts
(Bodong).
• Skilled in loom weaving
and making beaded
accessories.
IBALOI
• Found in Benguet,
known for their
mummification rituals
(Kabayan Mummies).
• Experts in rice and
livestock farming.
• Have a unique dance
called Bendian,
performed in
celebrations.
KANKANAEY
• Known for stone-
walled terraces
(similar to Ifugao but
different techniques).
• Practitioners of dap-
ay, a traditional
community council
system.
 ISNEG / APAYAO
• Reside in Apayao
Province, practice
swidden (kaingin)
farming.
• Known for colorful
woven garments and
basketry.
 GADDANG
•Distinguished by
their colorful,
embroidered
clothing.
•Practice rituals
involving spirit
offerings.
 ILONGOT
• Once practiced
headhunting (ceased
in modern times).
• Known for their
jewelry and
headdresses made
from boar tusks and
feathers, they are also
known as Bugkalot.
 IVATAN
•Inhabit Batanes,
known for stone
houses (resistant to
typhoons).
•Famous for their vakul
(headgear made from
palm fiber).
TINGGUIAN /
ITNEG
• Known for their
intricate weaving
patterns and
ceremonial dances.
• Practice binubudan, a
rice wine fermentation
ritual.
INDIGENOUS PEOPLES OF VISAYAS
 ATI
• Related to the Aeta of
Luzon, dark-skinned and
curly-haired.
• Known for traditional
farming, fishing, and
herbal medicine.
• Celebrate the Ati-Atihan
Festival in Kalibo, Aklan.
 BUKIDNON (ILONGGO-
BUKIDNON, KAROLANOS,
ETC.)
• Inhabit mountainous
areas of Negros and
Panay.
• Known for binanog
dance, which mimics
the movements of
eagles.
 ESKAYA
•A small
indigenous group
in Bohol.
•Developed their
own unique
writing system
and language.
 TUMANDOK /
PANAY BUKIDNON
•Inhabit the
mountains of Panay
Island.
•Skilled in epic
chanting
(Sugidanon) and
binanog dance.
INDIGENOUS PEOPLES OF MINDANAO
(LUMAD & MORO GROUPS)
LUMAD GROUPS (Non-Muslim
Indigenous Groups)
Manobo (Agusan,
Matigsalug, Ata, etc.)
• One of the largest
Lumad groups in
Mindanao.
• Known for elaborate
beadwork, weaving,
and hunting skills.
 T’boli
• Famous for T’nalak
weaving, made from abaca
fibers and dyed using
natural materials.
• Known as "Dream
Weavers", as patterns
come from dreams.
• Practice brass-casting and
intricate beadwork.
 Blaan
• Known for their
colorful embroidery
and beadwork.
• Have traditional long
houses (Gono) made
from bamboo and
thatch.
 Bagobo
• Skilled in beadwork,
weaving, and
metalwork
(especially weapons
and bells).
• Perform sacred
rituals honoring
spirits.
 Higaonon
• Practitioners of
traditional peace
pacts (Tampuda hu
Balagun).
• Deeply connected to
forests and river
systems.
 Subanen
• Found in Zamboanga
Peninsula, skilled in
basketry and
weaving.
• Perform Buklog, a
sacred ritual dance
for blessings.
 Mandaya
•Have distinct
woven clothing
with bright
geometric
patterns.
•Known for betel
nut chewing and
metalwork.
Mansaka
•Known for their
elaborate
jewelry and
use of gold
ornaments.
 Talaandig
•Practice earth
painting using
natural pigments.
•Skilled in herbal
medicine and
healing rituals.
Mamanwa
•Among the oldest
tribes in
Mindanao.
•Known for their
nomadic lifestyle
and deep forest
knowledge.
MORO GROUPS (Muslim Indigenous
Groups)
Tausug
• Known as the "People
of the Current",
excellent seafarers.
• Famous for their pis
syabit (woven
headscarves) and
pangalay dance.
 Maranao
• Known for okir
woodcarving,
torogan houses, and
the Darangen epic.
• Practice the art of
weaving the
malong.
Maguindanao
•Famous for
kulintang music, a
traditional gong
ensemble.
•Have a strong
warrior and
merchant tradition.
 Sama-Bajau
(Badjao)
• Known as "Sea
Nomads", expert
free divers and
boat dwellers.
• Skilled in fishing,
boat-making, and
pearl diving.
 Yakan
• Renowned for their
intricate weaving
and colorful
textiles.
• Wear face paints
made from turmeric
during celebrations.
 Iranun
•Traditional
warriors and
expert sailors in
Mindanao.
•Played a key role in
early Moro
resistance against
Spanish
colonization.