The Philippines is home to an array of indigenous tribes with unique ways, from traditions and languages to their view of life. These tribes live and thrive in diverse environments and continue to contribute to the country’s identity today. The indigenous people in the Philippines are living and breathing proof of their lasting traditions and adaptability.

Indigenous People in the Philippines

The indigenous people in the country represent nearly 14% of the local population and are deemed the most impoverished social group in the country. The indigenous communities’ occupation of environments such as mountain ranges kept them away from the Spanish colonizers. Even today, they continue to manage their cultural identity and beliefs.

Here is the list of indigenous groups in the Philippines that thrive today.

Igorot

The Igorots are the indigenous tribes inhabiting the mountainous regions in the northern part of the country.  They are well known for being rice cultivators and for their role in building the Banaue Rice Terraces. These groups are also known to have a deep connection to their agricultural practices and spiritual traditions. The tribes that are under the Igorots include:

• Bontoc

• Ifugao

• Kalinga

• Kankanaey

• Ibaloi

• Tinguian

• Lumad

Similar to the Igorots, the Lumad are the indigenous tribes who reside in Mindanao and Western Visayas. The distinction is based on a Cebuano term, which ironically means ‘indigenous.’ They are known for their strong connection to their environment and traditional practices, such as hunting and farming. The Lumad tribes are composed of non-Muslim groups. These include:

• Manobo and its sub-groups

• Subanon

• Talaandig

• Mamanwa

• Mandaya

• T’boli

• Higaonon

Mangyan

The Mangyans are well-known for having the biggest populace among the other indigenous tribes in the Philippines. These tribes thrive on the Mindoro island and are known for their rich story-telling and basket-weaving crafts. They are comprised of 8 different groups, all with a more peaceful reputation. These groups are:

• Iraya

• Alangan

• Tawbuid

• Bangon

• Buhid

• Hanunuo

• Tadyawan

Ratagnon

Today, around 10% of the Mangyan have embraced Christianity, both Roman Catholic and Evangelical Protestant practices.

Badjaos

The Badjaos are an Indigenous group that lives in the Sulu Archipelago and the Tawi-Tawi islands. Known as the “Sea Tribes,” they are seafaring people skilled in boat-building and water navigation. They generally earn a living as divers, fishermen, and sea navigators.

Palawan Tribes

The Palawan tribes are defined as groups living in the mountains or lowland dwellings. These groups of tribes are known for their deep connection to their environment and long hold of their traditional resource management practices. The group under this tribe includes:

• Kagayanen

• Tagbanwa

• Palawano

• Taaw't Bato

• Molbog

• Batak

Most of these groups still live a rural lifestyle and even avoid urbanization.

Negritos

The Negritos tribe revolves around the indigenous people who possess dark skin and small stature. They are often considered the most ancient among other tribes and often have a hunter or gatherer background. They have different groups, which include:

• Agta

• Aeta

• Ati

• Ata

• Batak

The Negritos live in many regions of the Philippines. They are found mostly in Palawan, Negros, Cebu, Mindanao, and the mountainous side of Luzon.

Challenges Faced by Indigenous People

Many indigenous tribes in the Philippines struggle to catch up or align with modern governments and trends. Here is a list of some of the ongoing challenges these communities face today:

Losing Rights to Their Ancestral Land

Indigenous people in the Philippines continuously battle to secure rights to their ancestral domains due to various factors. The most common issues include the land used for government projects, mining operations, and agricultural plantations.

Discrimination and Social Exclusion

One of the most common and serious issues indigenous communities face today is the growing experience of discrimination. Stereotypes and lack of understanding of their culture have widely contributed to their marginalization and exclusion from the public.

Cultural Preservation and Identity

With the many influences and advancements made in today’s age, many indigenous groups are struggling to preserve their culture and tradition. Their challenges include bringing their way of life to the modern world and the younger generation in ensuring their way of life survives.

Efforts in Preserving Indigenous Cultures

Many initiatives and programs today put huge efforts into preserving and promoting indigenous cultures to the public attention. Government and non-governmental organizations are crucial in supporting indigenous communities to preserve their cultural heritage.

These projects play a huge role by providing educational platforms for anyone to learn and immerse themselves in these Indigenous traditions and views of life. For example, even the best museums in Manila display special exhibits that showcase artifacts and historical records that tell the story of these tribes.

Final Thoughts

Knowing the indigenous people in the Philippines helps keep their identity and presence alive in every Filipino's mind today. Similar to understanding the country’s deep history, it is important to study these tribes’ roles and their contribution to the country’s diverse growth. Through present efforts, indigenous cultures will thrive and live on.