Tribal Dances of the Philippines: Meanings and Influences Quiz

Spanish Colonization and Resistance

• During the Spanish colonization, many ethnic groups in the Philippines exhibited strong resistance against the Spaniards, forcing them to vacate the lowlands and settle in the hinterlands of the Cordillera mountains, the forests of Mindoro and Palawan, and the thick woods of Mindanao.

PANAMIN and Ethnic Groups

• PANAMIN, an acronym for Presidential Assistance on National Minorities, identified 37 major ethnic groups in the country based on ethno-linguistic groupings and cultural activities.
• Many ethnic groups opposed being called "national minorities" and preferred to be referred to as "Cultural Nationalities" or "Tribal Filipinos".

Igorots and Cordillera Tribe

• The Igorots, originally known as Ygorot, meaning "people of the mountain", live in the jungles of Northern Luzon, specifically in the mountains of Sierra Madre and Cordillera.
• Today, they prefer to be called Cordillera tribe or people, as they have managed to live similarly to the lowlands, including their way of life.

Tribal Groups in the Cordillera Region

• The Kalingas, Tinggians or Itneg, and Apayaos live in the northernmost area of the Cordillera.
• The Ifugaos and Gaddangs live in the central area of the region.
• The Benguets, Kankanais, and Ibalois live in the southern part of the region.

Factors Affecting Tribal Dances

• Topography/Environment: the land area where they live and its surrounding environment affect their dancing.
• Climate/Weather: the kind of clothing and textile being worn greatly affect their dance.
• Religion: the governing rules of their beliefs affect their dancing.
• Economy: the means to survive and the way to compete in the demands of society where they live affect their dancing.
• Political Organization: although they have communal rules of their own, they belong to a bigger society within the country, which affects their dancing.
• Education: the kind of information and knowledge gained by them as they acquire and take the process of learning affect their dancing.
• Science and Technology: the inventions and wonders brought by science are big factors in affecting their dance and dancing.

Ethnic Groups in the Philippines

• The multi-racial roots of the Filipinos formed the various ethnic groups found in the entire archipelago of the Philippines.
• Ethnic groups are identified from their language or dialect spoken, religion, common art form such as dance, music, and many others.

Tribal Groups in Mindanao

• The northern part of Mindanao within its thick forest and high mountains dwells the many tribal groups, including the Manobos, Bukidnons, Talaandig, Umayamon, Higaunon, Matigsalug, Tagbanwa, Tasaday, and many other smaller communities.
• The Bagobos are prominently identified with their colorful attire and graceful dancing.

Other Tribal Groups

• The Subanon, who are settlers near the river, got their name from the word subs meaning river.
• The B'laans are dwellers in the Cotabato regions.
• The Tirurays are also dwellers in the Cotabato regions.
• The T'boli tribe are closely Muslims in some beliefs and traditions, but they consider themselves as non-Muslim.
• The Aetas, believed to be the first inhabitants of the archipelago, are scattered in the mountains of Mindoro, Zambales, Romblon, Palawan, and in some parts of Visayas island.
• The Mangyans, also known as Buhid, Buid or Hanungo, are remarkably identified in successfully preserving a written language of pre-hispanic origins.
• The people of Palawan are believed to be the remnants of migrant waves that have settled in the country.