Mythologies of the Ata Manobo Tribe

The Ata Manobo can be found in the northwestern portion of Davao del Norte, as well as in Bukidnon and Compostela Valley. They are further subdivided by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts into three groups, namely, Dugbatang, Talaingod, and Tagauanum. Generally identified as the Atas of Davao, they are concentrated mainly in the municipalities of Talaingod, Asuncion, and Kapalong, with an estimated population of more than 30,000. The Datu or chieftain is a recognized village leader and holds the utmost authority over his people. Some of the Atas resemble the typical facial characteristics of the Aeta in Luzon, although a 1997 report by Heide Gloria and Fe Magpayo concluded that they are not the same as the Aeta or Negritos. Rather, the Ata are a mix of Negrito and Malay people. This perhaps explains why some have dark skin and curly hair, while others have fair skin and straight hair. Though they are divided into different subgroups, they speak a shared language called Ata and can fully identify with each other. According to anthropologist Fay-Cooper Cole, the name “Ata” refers to a person who dwells in very high places or at the peak of the mountain. Most of the territories of the Ata are underdeveloped, although recent provincial government efforts have been established in some communities, particularly in Talaingod. Slash-and-burn agriculture was once practiced by the tribe, but due to the deterioration of the land and depletion of food sources in the surrounding areas, the majority turned to trade and contour farming. Additional sources of income include abaca gathering and basket-weaving or liyang.

The Ata Manobo, also known as Ataas or Agtas, are found in the northern part of the municipality of Kapalong, Davao del Norte. Many of them, however, identify themselves simply as Manobo or by their toponyms such as Matiglondig, meaning “from Londig;” Matigkapugi, “from Kapugi;” or Matigmisulung, “from Misulung.” Historically, “Ata” was a derogatory term used by the Spaniards to refer to all peoples living in upland areas, regardless of cultural or linguistic differences. It is not even in the Ata Manobo vocabulary; thus, it is meaningless to them. The Ata Manobo language is identified as a subgroup under the Manobo group of languages, specifically categorized by Dr. Richard Elkins as Proto-East-Central Manobo. There are three identifiable Ata Manobo tribes: the Matigsalug, the Talaingod, and the Matig-Langilan. The Matigsalug, meaning “people of the river,” are in the municipalities of Kitaotao and San Fernando in Bukidnon; in Arakan Valley, North Cotabato; and in the Marilog and Paquibato Districts in Davao City. In 2000, their population was estimated at 26,700. The Talaingud, meaning “people of the land,” are in the municipality of Talaingod in Davao del Norte, its borders touching Kapalong, Bukidnon, Davao City, and Santo Tomas. The population estimate of the Talaingod in 2010 was 25,566, but this figure was based largely on their population in the municipality of Talaingod alone and may not have taken into account those who have spread to other regions because of migration or forced evacuation. Subgroups of the Talaingod are called Talalangilan or Matig-Langilan, meaning “from Langilan.” The scattered groups living around Mount Misimulong are called the Talakoilawan or Kaylawan, meaning “from the forest.” In Cotabato alone, the Ata Manobo were estimated at 41,862 in the year 2000.

The Ata-Manobo no longer want to be called by that name, and are further divided into the Langilan and Tala-ingod tribes. They are found in the region west and northwest of Mt. Apo, the headwater of the Davao, Lasang and Libuganon rivers. There is now a town called Tala-ingod in Davao del Norte. The recognized village leaders are the Datu, Barangay Captain, Purok leaders and religious leaders. They also recognize government leaders especially if the mayor is also the Tribal Council Chief. Social structure is based on kin relationship, and in the past leadership was given to the oldest married family member. Now they have set some qualifications. The datu is given more respect and has more authority. Marriages are arranged with the bride price as the main concern. Conflicts are settled through peace offerings. Until 1994 the Atas relied mainly on farming for daily subsistence, supplemented with hogs, chickens and other livestock products. Animism permeates the Ata way of life. However, acculturation has caused some changes especially among the younger generation. Like the Matisalugs, they believe that "Manama" is the supreme god but there are others who do Manama's bidding. These gods must be appeased.

The Ata tribe, a subgroup of the Manobo people, is indigenous to Davao City, particularly in the Paquibato and Marilog districts of Davao del Norte and Bukidnon in the Philippines. The name "Ata" signifies their dwelling in high places, often atop mountains. Like the Matigsalog tribe, they are part of the broader indigenous cultural communities in the Philippines, preserving unique traditions, beliefs, and language. Despite challenges, including the threat of displacement due to development projects, the Ata people have shown resilience, forming community organizations like Lolopongan to mo Igbuyag to pog-uyan to Ingod (LIPI) Inc. to protect their heritage and livelihoods. They have a rich history, folklore, and agricultural practices. Notably, they are known for their natural shyness, kindness, and quickness to anger.

It's possible that "Aeta" is derived from the Malay term "hitam," which means "black," or from its cousin in the Philippine languages, "itom or itim," which means "people." Aeta, also known as Ayta, Alta, Atta, Ita, and Ati in early ethnographic records of the people, were sometimes referred to as "little blacks" because of their dark skin. Short and slender, the Aeta are also dark-skinned; their typical height is 1.35 to 1.5 meters; their frame is petite; their hair is kinky; and they have large black eyes. Later migrants are thought to have driven them into the highlands and hinterlands of the Philippines, where they are thought to have been the country's earliest settlers or aborigines. Negritos are a diverse group of people who dominate the Philippines' archipelago from north to south, despite a perceived lack of inclusive terms to describe them. Philippine Negrito groups is the best term to use when referring to the Agta and Aeto in northeastern Luzon; the Aeta, Ayto and Alta in Central Luzon; the Ati or Ata in Panay and Negros; the Batak in Palawan; and Iraya Mangyan in Mindoro. Remontado of Rizal province, the Remontado of Sibuyan Island in Romblon province, and the Ati are also included in this group. Baluga or Ita is also known as Remontado or Ita in the provinces of Pampanga and Zambales; in Tarlac they are named Kulaman, Baluga or Sambal, while on Panay they are known by the names Ita or Ati. Aeta also goes by the names Kofun, Diango, Paranan, Assao, Ugsing, and Aita in the province of Cagayan. It is common for non-locals to refer to the Agat and Agtan people of the Philippines as "Dumagat" (meaning "seafaring people"). They are known as Mamanwa in Mindanao's northern provinces of Surigao and Agusan. the words man (first) and banwa (forest) combine to form mamanua, which means "forest inhabitants" (forest). However, the Mamanwa have also been referred to as "Kongking," which translates to "conquered" in Spanish.

“Manobo” or “Manuvu” or “Minuvu” means “person” or “people.” It may also have been originally “Mansuba” from man (person or people) and suba (river), hence meaning “river people.” A third derivation is from “Banobo,” the name of a creek that presently flows to Pulangi River about two kilometers below Cotabato City. A fourth is from man, meaning “first, aboriginal,” and tuvu, meaning “grow, growth.” “Manobo” is the Hispanized form. The Manobo belong to the original stock of proto-Philippine or proto-Austronesian people who came from south China thousands of years ago, earlier than the Ifugao and other terrace-building peoples of northern Luzon. The term “Proto-Manobo” designates this stock of aboriginal non-Negritoid people of Mindanao. The first Manobo settlers lived in northern Mindanao—in Camiguin, Cagayan, and some areas of Bukidnon and Misamis Oriental.

Manobo simply means “people” or “person”; alternate names include Manuvu and Minuvu. The term may have originated from “Mansuba,” a combination of man (people) and suba (river). Manobos are concentrated in Agusan, Bukidnon, Cotabato, Davao, Misamis Oriental, and Surigao Del Sur. The Manobo usually build their villages near small bodies of water or forest clearings, although they also opt for hillsides, rivers, valleys, and plateaus. The communities are small, consisting of only 4-12 houses. They practice slash-and-burn agriculture.

Manobo, river people of Cotabato

There is a simple meaning of Manobo “people” or “person”; alternate names for Manuvu and Minuvu. The term may have originated from “Mansuba,” a combination of man (people) and suba (river). They speak one of the languages belonging to the Manobo language family. Their origins can be traced back to the early Malay people who came from the surrounding islands of Southeast Asia. Today, their common cultural language and Malay heritage help to keep them connected. The Manobo is the most numerous ethnic groups here in the Philippines because of their lives like, their beliefs, and their needs. Most of their houses consist of only 4-12 in their community and some usually build near in the small bodies of water or forest, although they also opt for hillsides, rivers, valleys, and plateaus. Agriculture is the most common life style; their farming methods are very original from others. The political structures of the Manobo groups are all relatively similar. The head of their group is called sultan. Under him are the royal and non-royal classes. Those people belonging to the royal classes can aspire to the throne and those belonging to the non-royal classes are under the power and authority of the royal classes. There are many social events for them, such as weddings, require political leaders. Each time there is a negotiation for marriage, both the bride and the groom must use the local Datu (headman) to make all of the activities are wise.

Manobo, the name may came from Mansuba from man (person or people) and suba (river), meaning river people. The first Manobo settlers lived in northern Mindanao, at present Manobo tribes can be found at the hillsides and river valleys of the northeastern part of Cotabato. According to an oral tradition, the Manobo’s were lead by two brothers: Mumalu and Tabunaway, they lived by the Banobo creek, which flowed into the Mindanao River near the present site of Cotabato City. In the 14th century Sharif Kabungsuan, a muslim missionary, arrived from Johore, to convert the people of Mindanao. Tabunaway did not want to convert to Islam but told his younger brother not to reject the Muslim Faith. Tabunaway and his followers moved up the Pulangi River to the interior of Cotabato, they decided to part ways and in the years to come established their own tribes. These groups retained their indigenous beliefs, practices and the name of their original site, Banobo, which eventually became Manobo, the descendant’s of Mamalu became the Maguindanao.

The origins of the Manobo tribe can be traced way back in the early times from the migration of the early Malay people of South East Asia to the Philippine Islands. Historians often associate the origin of this indigenous group to the group of people who settled the archipelago long time ago. This group of people came from the neighboring countries in South East Asia.The first batch came in the islands as they look for temporary settlement traveling through land bridges as the Philippines is believed to be connected in the mainland Asia before (ice age). Early batches settled in thePhilippines came from any were in south Asia with there marine vessels. The Manobo people was classified into eight groups but they are very much similar differing only in some aspects of culture and language. The Eight groups are the; Cotabato Manobo, AgusanManobo, Matig Salug Manobo, Obo Manobo, Dibabawon Manobo, Sarangani Manobo, Manobo of Western Bukidnon and Tagabawa Manobo.

The Manobo are several people groups who inhabit the island of Mindanao in the Philippines. They speak one of the languages belonging to the Manobo language family. Their origins can be traced back to the early Austronesian peoples who came from the surrounding islands of Southeast Asia. Today, their common cultural language and Austronesian heritage help to keep them connected. The Manobo cluster includes eight groups: the Cotabato Manobo, Agusan Manobo, Dibabawon Manobo, Matig Salug Manobo, Sarangani Manobo, Manobo of Western Bukidnon, Obo Manobo, and Tagabawa Manobo. The groups are often connected by name with either political divisions or landforms. The Bukidnons, for example, are located in a province of the same name. The Agusans, who live near the Agusan River Valley, are named according to their location. The eight Manobo groups are all very similar, differing only in language and in some aspects of culture. The distinctions have resulted from their geographical separation.

The Philippines pronounced the Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary a secured zone in 1996. It ranges roughly 101,000 acres. On the worldwide level, it’s recognized as both a “wetland of international importance” beneath the Ramsar Convention and Heritage Park by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Within the lavish, bright-green shrubberies of the Philippines’ Agusan Marsh, settled within the country’s far south Mindanao island, children control canoes through wandering waterways and swim in lakes. The marsh may be a play area, as well as a source of food, shelter, and culture for the Manobo Indigenous tribe that lives there in moored floating houses that rise and fall with the rainy seasons. For hundreds of years, this wetland environment has been veritable heaven for the Manobo individuals who make a living there hunting and fishing. The more than 100,000 inland sections of land are additionally home to about 200 species of feathered creatures, as well as mammals, reptiles, and fish living within the region. This marsh is home to the largest species of crocodiles in the world, which have lived alongside the Manobo Tribe for hundreds of years.

The Manobo languages are a group of languages spoken in the Philippines. Their speakers are primarily located around Northern Mindanao, Central Mindanao (presently called Soccsksargen) and Caraga regions where they are natively spoken. Some outlying groups make Manobo geographically discontiguous as other speakers can be located as far as the southern peninsula of Davao Oriental, most of Davao Occidental and coastal areas of Sultan Kudarat. The Kagayanen speakers are the most extremely remote and can be found in certain portions of Palawan. Bandojo is known within his ethnic Manobo tribe as Datu (chieftain) Palagsulat. The Manobo, whose name means “people of the river,” live in the Philippines’ Agusan del Sur province and other parts of the southern region of Mindanao. Pushed to the fringes by the arrival of foreigners and settlers from elsewhere in the Philippines centuries ago, the Manobos have been able to preserve their cultural identity, which is firmly grounded in nature.

The Manobo tribe who are inhabitants of the island of Mindanao in the Philippines are a group of people speaking one of the languages that belong to the Manobo language family. Their origins can be traced back to the early Malay peoples who came from the surrounding islands of Southeast Asia. Today, their common cultural language and Malay heritage help to keep them connected. The total national population including the subgroups is 749,042 (NM 1994); occupying core areas from Sarangani island into the Mindanao mainland in the provinces of Agusan del Sur, Davao provinces, Bukidnon, and North and South Cotabato. The eight Manobo groups are all very similar, differing only in dialect and in some aspects of culture. The distinctions have resulted from their geographical separation. The groups are often connected by name with either political divisions or landforms. The Bukidnons, for example, are located in a province of the same name. The Agusans, who live near the Agusan River Valley, are named according to their location.

“Manobo” is the hispanicized form of “Manuvu,” which, of course, means “people.” The Manobo appear to be a remnant of the very first Austronesian invasion from Taiwan, predating peoples like the Ifugao of Luzon. The Manobo supergroup includes several of the groups described elsewhere (see Bagobo, Hiligaynon, Bukidnon), but there are also many Manobo peoples not considered apart from the main group. The general orientation is now predominantly upland, as they were chased from the valleys by invading Visayans and Spaniards. But the Manobo have an adaptation to virtually every ecological niche, from rugged highland to coast, and are found from Sarangani Island to Agusan del Sur, the Davao provinces, Bukidnon, and North and South Cotabato. Kinship is figured bilaterally, and nuclear households are kin-grouped into widely dispersed communities usually situated on ridges high above mountain drainages. Some communities have long houses. Leadership is achieved by a skilled and socially powerful datu who creates alliances in many ways, including marriage. Several area datus would be organized under a higher datu, united in turn under the Sultanate with a Rajah Muda. This structure is gradually giving way to the westernized scheme of provincial government and local councilmen, which places more emphasis on the young and educated. The distinctive ethnic costumes have mostly given way to commercial clothing, with ethnic materials being sold commercially as antiques.

A cluster profile covering 8 Manobo tribes. The Manobo are several people groups who inhabit the island of Mindanao in the Philippines. They speak one of the languages belonging to the Manobo language family. Their origins can be traced back to the early Malay peoples, who came from the surrounding islands of Southeast Asia. Today, their common cultural language and Malay heritage help to keep them connected. The Manobo cluster includes eight groups: the Cotabato Manobo, Agusan Manobo, Dibabawon Manobo, Matig Salug Manobo, Sarangani Manobo, Manobo of Western Bukidnon, Obo Manobo, and Tagabawa Manobo. Their populations range from less than 15,000 to more than 50,000. The groups are often connected by name with either political divisions or landforms. The Bukidnons, for example, are located in a province of the same name. The Agusans, who live near the Agusan River Valley, are named according to their location. The eight Manobo groups are all very similar, differing only in dialect and in some aspects of culture. The distinctions have resulted from their separation.

The Manobo people in the hinterlands of Bitaugan is one of the groups of the indigenous community in the region who continuously live in peace and in harmony with nature. Their prime belief that is respect amongst them and to others manifest in their generosity to their neighbors, friends and even to their visitors whom they are given much attention by means of providing them their casual needs like food, security and shelter. These acts of bounteousness of the Manobos are being exercised by their manigaun (elder) and are transmitted up until this age to their children’s children, where these acts are doubled during days of Kumbiti. Despite the advancement and development brought by technology and economic growth, the Manobos in the highlands of Barangay Bitaugan, San Miguel, Surigao del Sur posit the unique tradition of marriage.

The Manobos call tattooing pang-o-tub. In the book “The Manobos of Mindanao” by John M. Garvan, he wrote that during the Spanish period, tattoos served as a permanent identification of captives who changed their names when they are sold and resold. Garver also wrote that tattooing among Manobos is mostly ornamental and does not represent any spiritual or magical attributes. Like many other indigenous groups, the Manobos of Arakan are fighting hard to keep their ways and traditions alive. And one of the traditions said to be slowly disappearing is tattooing. They say the tradition has existed for thousands of years. Tattoos serve as an identifying mark of the tribe. “Kapag may tato ka, ibig sabihin totoong katutubo ka,” said tribe leader Datu Antayan Baguio.

Oral tradition and records about the introduction of Islam into Mindanao give us a clue to thehistory of pre-Spanish Manobo. Their ancestors inhabited the lower valley of the Pulangi River incentral Mindanao. In the 14th century, Sharif Kabungsuan, a Muslim missionary, arrived from Johore,to convert the people. According to oral tradition, the Manobo’s leaders were two borthers:Tabunaway and Mumalu. They lived by a creek, Banobo, which flowed into the Mindanao River nearthe present site of Cotabato City. Tabunaway rejected Islam but advised his younger brother tosubmit to conversion. Tabunaway and his followers fled up the Pulangi River to the interior and, at acertain stop, they decided to part ways. Tabunaway and his group who went to Livungan became theLivunganen. Others became the Kirinteken, Mulitaan, Kulamanen, and Tenenenen. The Kulamanensplit into the Pulangian and Metidsalug/Matigsalug. Branches of the Tenenenen were the Keretanen,Lundugbatneg, and Rangiranen. A group stayed along the river in Lanuan and built an ilian (fort) andso became the Ilianon. Those who went to divava (downriver), Became the Dibabawon, some ofwhom branched into the Kidapawanen. But because ali these groups retained their indigenous beliefsand practices, they retained the name of their original site, Banobo, which eventually becameManobo. On the other hand, Mamalu’s descendant’s became the Maguindanao.