Group #7 - Manobo

• What is the Manobo group known for in the Philippines?


  One of the largest indigenous groups
• Where is the Manobo group primarily located?

  Across Mindanao, especially in Agusan, Bukidnon, Cotabato, and Davao
• What are some subgroups of the Manobo population?

  Agusan Manobo, Bukidnon Manobo, Ata Manobo
• To which language family do Manobo languages belong?

  Austronesian family
• What type of areas do the Manobo inhabit?

  Mountainous areas, river valleys, and forests
• How are traditional Manobo houses constructed?

  Elevated on stilts made of bamboo and nipa
• What is the main livelihood of the Manobo people?

  Farming (Kaingin / Swidden Agriculture)
• What crops do the Manobo primarily plant?

  Rice, corn, camote, bananas, and root crops
• What hunting methods do the Manobo use?

  Spears, traps, and nets
• What do the Manobo gather from the forest?

  Honey, rattan, fruits, and medicinal plants
• How did the Manobo historically engage with lowlanders?

  Through trade and barter
• What is the traditional belief system of the Manobo?

  Animism centered on nature and spirit beings
• Who is Magbabaya in Manobo beliefs?

  The supreme deity worshipped by the Manobo
• What are Diwata or Busaw in Manobo culture?

  Nature spirits associated with various elements
• What role does a Bailan or Baylan serve in Manobo society?

  Spiritual leader, healer, and ritual specialist
• What types of animals are sacrificed in Manobo rituals?

  Chickens, pigs, and carabaos
• What are the key aspects of Manobo oral literature?

  • Folktales
  • Epics
  • Riddles
  • Chants
  • Used to pass down history and moral lessons
• When are songs and chants performed in Manobo culture?

  During rituals, storytelling, and celebrations
• What are the characteristics of Manobo dances?

  • Performed during harvest festivals, weddings, and healing rites
  • Often accompanied by gongs and drums
• What type of clothing do Manobo women traditionally wear?

  Brightly colored woven garments with beadwork
• How do Manobo men typically dress?

  Embroidered jackets, trousers, and head cloths
• What types of ornaments do the Manobo use?

  • Bead necklaces
  • Brass ornaments
  • Anklets
  • Headdresses
  • Used in rituals and everyday life
• What is the social structure of the Manobo community?

  • Kinship system forms the basis of community life
  • Datu as tribal leader
  • Council of Elders advises the datu
  • Cooperation is essential in farming and rituals
• What is the role of a Datu in Manobo society?

  Responsible for settling disputes and organizing rituals
• What are the marriage customs among the Manobo?

  Involve dowry, arranged marriages, and feasts
• What challenges do the Manobo face today?

  Displacement, marginalization, and armed conflict
• What threatens the ancestral domains of the Manobo?

  Land grabbing, logging, and mining
• How do some NGOs help the Manobo community?

  Promote teaching of weaving, epics, and music
• Why is cultural preservation important for the Manobo?

  To pass traditions to the younger generation