Mythologies of the MANDAYA Tribes

“Mandaya” derives from the prefix man meaning “inhabitant of” and daya meaning upstream” or “upper portion of a river,” and therefore means “people living upstream.” It refers to a number of groups found along the mountain ranges of Davao Oriental, Davao del Norte, and Surigao del Sur, as well as to their customs, language, and beliefs. Specifically, they are in the hinterlands of the municipalities of Mati, Sigaboy, Banaybanay, Batobato, Jovellar, Tarragona, Manay, Caraga, Lupon, Baganga, Cateel, and Boston in Davao Oriental; in the municipalities of New Bataan, Compostela, Carmen, Tagum, Asuncion, and Kapalong; in Davao del Norte; and in the municipalities of Lingig, Hinatu-an, Bislig, Mangagoy, Barobo, Lianga, Marihatag, Kagwa-it, Tago, Tandag, Cortes, Lanuza, and Carascal in Surigao del Sur. In 1988, the total number of registered Mandaya was about 33,000, with about 22,000 of them living in Davao Oriental alone. Other speakers of the Mandaya language are the Kamayo and Dabaweño (combined population: 363,000 in 2000), Tagakaulo (40,000 in 2000), the Muslim Kalagan (70,000 in 2002), and the Isama of Samal Island. Recognition of the Isama’s Mandaya roots is seen in the 1901 Report of the Philippine Commission to the President, which identifies them as “Moro-Mandaya Mestizo,” with a population of 2,000. Groups linguistically related to the Mandaya are the Mansaka of the mountain clearings (population: 57,800 in 2000); the Mangguangan of the forested mountain areas; the Pagsaupan, meaning “the place where the sun sets”; and the Managusan, who live in the headwaters of the Agusan River.

Both non-Christian and non-Islamic, the Mandaya are found in Davao Oriental and Davao del Norte, Mindanao. Their name means “the first people upstream,” derived from man (“first”) and daya (“upstream or upper portion of a river”). Mandayas are said to be polygynous; divorce is also socially acceptable. The Mandayas are shifting cultivators who rely largely on swidden farming (also known as slash-and-burn) as a means for survival. Their other means of livelihood include fishing, food gathering, hunting, and the planting of abaca as a cash crop. Aesthetics and arts rank high among the Mandaya. They are excellent metalsmiths, who can fashion beautiful silver ornaments and brass items (evidence of their contact with Muslim groups), and weapons. Music is also an important part of Mandaya culture, as they use various musical instruments and dances for celebrations and rituals.

Consisting of both the non-Christian and non-Islamic, the Mandaya are found throughout Davao Oriental and Davao del Norte, Mindanao. Their name denotes the “first people upstream” and derived from man “first” and daya “upstream or upper portion of a river”. They are shifting cultivators who depend largely on swidden farming (slash-and-burn) and supplement it with fishing, hunting-gathering, and planting of abaca as a cash crop. The Mandaya family structure is traditionally paternalistic with the father seen as the head of the family and the sole provider of the family. The mother, in turn, takes care of all household chores, while simultaneously, looking after her husband’s and children’s needs; it’s also her role to rear the children in accordance to tribal practices. Major decisions are made jointly. Also, Mandaya parents undertake the role of preserving and handing down ancestral heritage onto their children. Aesthetics and the arts rank high among the Mandaya; their metalsmiths excel in fashioning exquisite silver and brass ornamental items (much owed to their contact with Muslim groups), as well as, weaponry. Examples include the balladaw (steel dagger), kakala (bolo), likod-likod (single-bladed kakana), and wasay (ax for cutting wood or for self-defense). Mandaya jewelry, on the other hand, are fashioned at home pending the availability of material(s). Jewelry is used as a measure of one’s socio-economic status among the Mandaya women; no young Mandaya woman, single or married ventures out without donning a piece of jewelry. Oft times, silver was used for fashioning jewelry; brass, in the form of brass casting, was copied from the Muslims. Music is also an important component of their culture, oft times incorporating various musical instruments and dances in their celebrations and rituals. Mandaya riddles and proverbs were often retold as folk songs that reflected the people’s collective attitude towards life and the world. Two such examples (that have remained within the native repertoire) are the oyog-oyog (lullaby) and the bayok (love and adventure songs). Mandaya costume motifs were characterized by block designs, line patterns, rickracks, scrolls, curvilinear motifs, and diamond crosses; sometimes, incorporating a crocodile motif done at various levels of abstraction.

The Mandayas are close to nature. In fact, they worship close to nature, for their love of the Mother Earth. Their primitive agriculture is based on “kaingin”. and, characterized by a nomadic attributes, they transferred from one place to the other, looking for the best soil for planting. Most men of the tribes were also indulging in hunting called “pangayam”. The Mandayas believe on God and has a deep respect to nature especially the land. The land is sacred and holy. Man will die but the land remains. In principle, the Mandaya believes that land is not to be owned because man is only a steward. The Mandaya has high regards to women proven by the role of the balyans (dancing priestess) and the catalunans (singing priestess) in the community.

The Mandaya tribes refers to a number of indigenous groups found along the mountain ranges of Davao Oriental, Davao del Norte, and Surigao del Sur. They are also recorded to be present in Mount Kampalili, in the highlands of eastern Mindanao. “Mandaya” derives from the prefix man meaning “inhabitant of” and “daya” meaning upstream” or “upper portion of a river,” and therefore means “people living upstream. In 1988, the total number of registered Mandaya was about 33,000, with about 22,000 of them living in Davao Oriental alone. Some of Mandaya’s features are high foreheads, prominent cheekbones, broad noses, thick lips and angular features. There are 5 principal groups of Mandaya: Mansaka (living in mountain clearings), Manwaga (living in forested mountain areas), Pagsupan (living in swampy banks of Tagum and Hijo rivers, Managusan (living near the water) and Divavaogan (found in the southern and western parts of Compostela valley).

Mandaya of Caraga, may be considered the most attractive if not fastidious dressers. Aside from wearing the red blouse, the colorful dagom, with batata, embroidered with varicolor thread, Cascades of adornment on head, neck, breast and anklets. Pal'latina, a breast adornment, fashioned out of old silver coins with delicate geometric designs. One of the kind worn on a special gatherings and on religious rites. Among all others bracelets, Pamol'lang, a white ivory, like pal'latina, is rare and expensive, where only those in the higher social class are wearers of these. Sowat, a comb made of matured bamboo trimmed with chalk or glittering glass beads with hanging gumamela formed thread, punch on a knotted ribbon-like hair over the nape. In terms of art, DAGMAY, a unique, traditional woven cloth of Mandaya. Dagmay is one of Mandaya revelation of artistry. It is brown and reddish in color, with human figure, and a crocodile form, designed during pol'lopok during threading time, with stripes and other enchanting patterns. Dagmay is worn as skirt, the linagkaw, with the ul'lun or waistband of a woman.

The Mandaya tribe is one of the indigenous groups that call Davao de Oro home. With a population primarily concentrated in the southeastern part of the province, the Mandaya people have a deep connection to their ancestral lands and a rich cultural heritage. One of the prominent aspects of the Mandaya tribe is their intricate craftsmanship, particularly in weaving. The women of the tribe are skilled weavers, creating vibrant and intricate designs on their traditional garments and textiles. Visitors can witness the weaving process, learn about the significance of patterns, and even try their hand at weaving under the guidance of Mandaya artisans. The Mandaya tribe also showcases their musical traditions through mesmerizing performances of traditional instruments like the gong and bamboo flute. The rhythmic beats and melodic tunes create a captivating atmosphere, allowing visitors to experience the tribe’s unique musical heritage. Additionally, the Mandaya people have a deep reverence for nature, often incorporating elements of their natural surroundings into their rituals and ceremonies. Visitors can participate in rituals such as the Panubadu, a thanksgiving ceremony to honor the deities and seek blessings for bountiful harvests and protection from natural calamities.