Mythologies of the Karay-a Tribe

Karay-a refers to the ethnolinguistic group predominantly located in Panay Island in Western Visayas. “Karay-a,” “Kinaray-a,” or “Hiniray-a” is derived from ka, meaning “companion,” Iraya, meaning “upstream,” and the infixation in, meaning “to have undergone something.” Chroniclers of the Spanish colonial period refer to them as Araya. The Karay-a population is concentrated in the province of Antique that stretches vertically along the entire western coast of Panay Island that is bounded by the Cuyo East Pass, which is a part of the West Philippine Sea. Antique is bounded on the east by the Madiaas mountain ranges, cutting vertically from north to south. Its three neighboring provinces are Aklan to its northeast, Capiz to the east, and Iloilo to the southeast. However, the Karay-a population is spread out on the upland parts of central Panay, where they are bounded on the north by the Taganhin and Siya mountain ranges, on the south by the Iggabun-Tigaylo ranges, on the east by Mount Baloy, and on the west by Agburi-Mayuqui-Takayan ridges. Thus, they are located across Antique’s three neighboring provinces on Panay Island. They are found in significant numbers as well on Guimaras Island, some parts of Negros Occidental, and Mindanao. The baludnon (lowlanders) call the people in the mountains of Central Panay Bukidnon (from bukid, meaning “mountain”), Panay Bukidnon, or Sulod, meaning “people of the interiors.” Spanish chronicles refer to them as monteses. Their self-designation is tumandok (Magos 1996, 122-23; Jocano 1968). “Antique” is the Hispanized spelling of hamtic or hantic, which means a large red ant or wasp. Antique occupies the western coast of Panay Island, and has an area of 252,200 hectares. The province has 18 municipalities: fourteen on the coast, three inland, and a group of six islands forming one municipality. The coastal towns are Aniniy, Barbaza, Belison, Bugasong, Caluya, Culasi, Hamtic, Laua-an, Libertad, Pandan, Patnongon, San Jose de Buenavista, Sebaste, Tibiao, and Tobias Fornier (formerly Dao). The inland towns are San Remigio, Sibalom, and Valderrama. The municipality of six islands, called Caluya, lies between the islands of Mindoro and Panay. Antique has four major rivers irrigating its towns, all coming from the mountains along Central Panay, crossing the province horizontally, and all emptying into the Cuyo East Pass. From Mount Madiaas on the north, the Dalanas River passes between the towns of Culasi and Tibiao toward the sea; from Mount Balabag, the Paliwan River passes between Bugasong and Guisihan; from Mount Agbalon, the Cangaranan river passes between Bugasong and Valderrama; and from Mount Tigatoy on the south, the Sibalom River passes between San Remigio, Sibalom, and San Pedro (Fernandez 2006, 112; Otico 1987, 130-132). The Karay-a people’s language is variously called Kinaray-a, Kinaray-a Bukidnon, or Hiniraya, possibly derived from “Iraya.” Haraya was the language spoken by the majority of the Panay people that the first Spanish colonizers came upon when they arrived between the late 16th and early 17th centuries. A Kinaray-a variant spoken by a few elders in some Bukidnon communities is Ligbok, which has elements and features in common with the archaic language of the Karay-a sugidanon (epic) (Magos 1996, 120-22; Chirino 1604). Despite having a disparate vocabulary, with usage differing slightly from town to town (for example, the English “here” could be rigya, rugya, digya, di-a, depending on the location), Kinaray-a speakers understand one another, whether they come from Antique, Capiz, or Iloilo.

Used to reference the people of Western Visayas in the illustrated digital comics, Karay-a, Kinaray-a, or Hiniray-a is a ethnolinguistic group mainly located in Panay Island in Western Visayas. The name Karay-a and its other forms, when examined in parts, mean different things. “Ka” meaning companion, “iraya” meaning upstream, and “in” meaning having gone through something. Most of the Karay-a tribe lives in Antique which is located along the western coast of Panay Island. Due to Antique’s lack of fertile plains, mountainous terrain, and geographical isolation, it led the people to be more independent with their food unlike in other regions. Palay, also known as unhusked rice, is its people’s main food source and primary product. Gods and characters from the Karay-a tribe are well known for their appearances in the sugidanon epics of Panay. The sugidanon (from Kinaray-a sugid, to tell) were first documented in the 1950s by Felipe Landa Jocano, Filipino anthropologist and educator. It tells a story in ten chapters of strong noblemen, demi-goddesses, and mythical creatures. These stories are still recited and taught until now in the form of chanting sessions that may last for hours.

The Karay-a language (Kinaray-a, Binisayâ nga Kinaray-a or Hinaraya; English: Harayan) is an Austronesian regional language in the Philippines spoken by the Karay-a people, mainly in Antique. It is one of the Bisayan languages, mainly along with Aklanon/Malaynon, Capiznon, Cebuano, and Hiligaynon. Kinaray-a, Kinaray-a Bukidnon, or Hiniraya, possibly deriving from “Iraya.” It was the primary language spoken by the majority of the Panay people whom the first Spanish colonizers encountered upon their arrival and subsequent settlement in Ogtong (now Oton, Iloilo) between the late 16th and early 17th centuries. This was before the linguistic evolution that eventually led to the Hiligaynon language of Iloilo gaining dominance as the common language over Kinaray-a on the island. However, in modern times, Kinaray-a remains in use as a primary language in the province of Antique and the western part of Iloilo province. Kinaray-a is spoken mainly in Antique. It is also spoken in Iloilo province as a primary language in the city of Passi, in the municipalities of Alimodian, San Joaquin, Lambunao, Calinog, Leon, Miag-ao, Pavia, Badiangan, San Miguel, Guimbal, San Enrique, Tigbauan, Igbaras, Leganes, Pototan, Bingawan, San Rafael, Mina, Zarraga, Oton, Santa Barbara, Cabatuan, Janiuay, Maasin, New Lucena, Dueñas, Dingle, and Tubungan, and certain villages in Palawan and Mindanao – especially in the Soccsksargen region (particularly the province of Sultan Kudarat) by citizens who trace their roots to Antique or to Karay-a-speaking areas of Panay island. Inhabitants of most towns across the latter areas speak Kinaray-a while Hiligaynon is predominant around coastal areas particularly in Iloilo. It is also spoken in Iloilo City by a minority, particularly in the Arevalo district and few parts of southern Mindoro and parts Capiz and Aklan provinces, as well as Guimaras and some parts of Negros Occidental.

The province of Antique located in the Western Visayas Region is home to the Kinaray-a or Karay-a people. It is one of the five provinces comprising Region VI. Antique is bounded by the rugged central mountains of Panay, as well as the provinces of Capiz on the east, Aklan in the northeast, Iloilo in the southeast, and finally, the Sulu Sea on the west. Antique can be reached via land travel from Iloilo or Aklan, where Boracay Island, the Philippines’ most famous beach destination, is located. Antique is one of the most unexplored provinces by many travelers and is often overlooked as an excellent out of town destination. Its clear waters, secluded beaches, and hidden rice terraces and waterfalls are just some of Antique’s little-known charms. It is also home to the world’s largest flower, Rafflesia speciosa, known as the corpse flower, that was discovered in 2002 in Sibalom Natural Park. Antique is also renowned for its annual celebration of Binirayan Festival in December. The name “Kinaray-a” refers to both the ethnic group and their language that are concentrated in the provinces of Antique and Iloilo. It is derived from the word iraya meaning “upstream” and known as “the language of the sacada and the muchacho” (Ani 19:12). This is because many residents from Antique work as sacadas or laborers in the haciendas in the province of Negros Occidental, a major sugar producer renowned for its sugarcane fields. The Kinaray-a population are dispersed in certain portions of Capiz, Aklan, Guimaras, and Palawan. Being the poorest province in the island of Panay, Antique has a high rate of emigration. A large number of Kinaray-a relocated to Mindanao in the 1940s and later established well-heeled communities and achieved great prosperity with their lands. Farming and fishing are the main source of livelihood for most families, and the province is among the top producers of rice, bangus or milkfish, sugar and other agricultural products.

The Karay-a language, also known as Kinaray-a, is a member of the Visayan branch of the Philippine language family and is primarily spoken in the Province of Antique in the Western Visayas region. It is a language that holds cultural significance within the Philippines and plays a vital role in preserving indigenous traditions and oral history. With its unique linguistic characteristics and geographical distribution, Karay-a is an important language that deserves recognition and appreciation. The Karay-a language has deep historical roots, dating back to ancient pre-colonial times when it evolved as part of the Visayan language group. This rich history is a testament to the indigenous cultures of the Philippines and their linguistic heritage.

Throughout the centuries, the Karay-a language has developed in close association with the diverse cultural communities that speak it. As a member of the Visayan branch of the Philippine language family, Karay-a shares similarities with other Visayan languages such as Hiligaynon and Illonggo. However, it also possesses unique linguistic features that set it apart. During the Spanish colonial period, the influence of the Spanish language on Karay-a began to emerge. Spanish loanwords found their way into the vocabulary, adding a layer of complexity to the language. Despite this external influence, Karay-a remained firmly rooted in its indigenous origins, preserving its distinct character and identity. Today, the Karay-a language continues to thrive, thanks to the efforts of its speakers and language preservation initiatives. It serves as a marker of cultural heritage and pride for its community, connecting generations and keeping alive the traditions, literature, and oral history of the Philippines.

The Kinaray-a inhabit the coastal areas and riversides of western Panay, and interior of Panay island in the Western Visayas Region; and certain villages in Mindanao. They are concentrated in the provinces of Antique and Iloilo. Hiligaynon, the language of the Ilonggos, was derived from the Kinaray-a language. The Kinaray-a are striving to preserve their traditions. They have created their own kind of music called OKM (Original Kinaray-a Music), reminiscent of their melodic composos (narrative verses). Their theme song, “Antique, Banwa nga Hamili,” expresses their love for their home, their banwa — the birthplace of a hardworking, brave group of people. In the 1940s, many Kinaray-a left for Mindanao, especially those without good farmlands in Panay, lured by the promise of bountiful fertile lands. Being industrious, those who settled in Mindanao established well-heeled communities and achieved great prosperity with their lands. Regrettably, tension has been growing between the Kinaray-a and neighboring Muslim groups; who feel their lands have been unfairly taken by the Kinaray-a.