Indigenous Peoples of the Philippines

The discussion focuses on identifying various indigenous peoples of the Philippines, describing their cultures, and inferring pre-colonial Filipino life through their traditional practices. It emphasizes that many pre-colonial practices are reflected in indigenous communities that have maintained their traditional belief systems and knowledge.

Ethno-archaeology is introduced as a method to reconstruct ancient lifestyles by studying modern indigenous societies, particularly their material and non-material traditions. The Philippines' diverse ethnic landscape, with over 100 groups and more than 180 languages, is highlighted due to its archipelago nature. Large ethnic groups, like Tagalog and Cebuano, constitute 82% of the population, classifying other groups as indigenous peoples or minority groups.

Indigenous peoples are defined anthropologically as original inhabitants of territories, often descendants of tribes who maintained distinct cultures despite colonization. Legally, the Indigenous People's Rights Act (IPRA) defines them as groups who historically differentiated themselves from the majority by resisting political, social, and cultural inroads of colonization and non-indigenous religions.

Indigenous peoples resisted colonialism through warfare, exemplified by the Bangsamoro and Igorot raids, and through retreat to hinterlands, like the Mangyans of Mindoro and the Remontados. Population estimates for indigenous peoples vary, with the 2010 census stating 5% (4 million) and the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) estimating 12 million.

The Negritos, meaning 'little black people', are described as the aboriginal inhabitants of the Philippines, arriving approximately 30,000 years ago. They are found across various regions, known by different names, and share phenotypic similarities (dark skin, kinky hair, short stature). Traditionally, they were hunters and gatherers, with some groups like the Agta of Palanan, Isabela, still maintaining a nomadic lifestyle.

The peoples of the Cordillera region inhabit the grand Cordillera Central mountain range. This section details their unique cultural aspects, including autonomous villages led by a council of elders, historical endemic warfare and head-hunting (now discouraged), and a complex system of land ownership that includes private, communal, and usufruct rights.

Cagayan Valley hosts numerous indigenous communities such as the Ilongot, Gaddang, Ibanag, and Ivatan. Their languages predominantly belong to the Ibanagic subgroup. Many have embraced Christianity and Islam, leading to a high degree of acculturation. The Ivatan's sturdy stone houses are highlighted as an adaptation to typhoons, rather than a pre-Hispanic tradition.

The term 'Mangyan' is a generic term for various indigenous groups in Mindoro, each with their own language. Their lifestyle was traditionally based on swidden agriculture, hunting, and gathering. They are known for their respect for the environment, belief in environmental spirits, and sustainable agricultural practices. The Hanunoo Mangyan, for instance, practice long fallow periods and biodiversity propagation. They also possess a syllabic script called 'Surat Mangyan', used for writing 'ambahan' poetry.

Palawan is home to groups like the Agutaynen, Cuyunon, and Palawan. Similar to the Mangyan, their subsistence relies on slash-and-burn agriculture with a strong emphasis on environmental protection and biodiversity. Cultural practices such as communal rice wine drinking and the 'Paddiwata' ritual (performed by shamans for healing) are discussed.

Limited indigenous groups exist in the Visayas, such as the Suludnon and Eskaya, traditionally inhabiting upland areas and practicing dry rice farming. The Eskaya are notable for their unique script, believed to be a product of Spanish contact. In Mindanao, indigenous people are collectively called 'Lumad', a Visayan word meaning 'native'. They are traditionally non-Christian, non-Muslim groups, with villages led by headmen or datus.

The Bangsamoro, or Moro Nation, are the Islamized groups of Mindanao, Sulu, and southern Palawan. Prior to Spanish arrival, Muslim sultanates were established. The term 'Moro' was given by the Spanish due to their practice of Islam, similar to the Moors of southern Spain. Various groups comprise the Bangsamoro, known for their unique material culture like the Tausug kris and the Maranao torogan (traditional house).

Understanding Philippine prehistory often relies on archival and archaeological sources, which can be biased or incomplete. Ethnographic data from indigenous cultures helps interpret the past. Examples include tattooing practices, as described by Antonio de Morga and observed in Kalinga, and the use of syllabic scripts like Baybayin and Surat Mangyan. Burial practices and betel nut chewing, noted by early Spanish accounts, are still observed or inferred from indigenous traditions.

Indigenous peoples face various threats: commercialization and bastardization of their culture, conversion to non-indigenous religions (which can lead to the abandonment of traditional practices), displacement due to large-scale extractive projects in ancestral domains, and militarization in conflict zones. There is an urgent need to document and preserve their cultures, promote public awareness and value for cultural diversity, and respect their right to determine which aspects of their culture to preserve or change.