Philippine Culture

A Cultural Anthropology Perspective

Prof. Emily Comedis
for DLSAU Culture and Arts Week
Feb. 22, 2013 1330
at Osmea Hall







Figure 1-1
The Subdivisions of Anthropology
The four major subdisciplines of anthropology (in
bold letters) may be classified according to subject
matter (physical or cultural) hand according to the
period with which each is concerned (distant past
versus recent past and present). There are applications
of anthropology in all four subdisciplines.
Fields of Anthropology
The Anthropological Perspective
To make the strange familiar, and the familiar
strange
( Strangeness, the unfamiliar is scary and can lead
to misguided feelings of anger and hate, which
may eventually lead to warfare and death.)
Most interpersonal or inter-group conflicts are caused
by a lack of understanding.
Discovering similarities between ones own culture and
that of others leads to more harmonious relationships.
Kan Ghu Ru = We dont understand!

4
Some anthropological findings are funny only in
retrospect because when cultures first interact, there
are bound to be mistakes.
One of the earliest and most famous mistakes was when Christopher
Columbus named Native Americans Indians because he thought he
had come to India. These two photos illustrate one of many cultural
differences even 500 years later.
5
How Baguio City got its name?
Legend has it that when the
Americans reached Kafagway
(Baguio City) they asked the
natives for the name of the
place while pointing to the
soil. Not understanding what
they were saying, the Ibalois
gave the name of the mossy
flowering plant that covered
the ground "bag-iw, which
the Americans pronounced
"bag-i-yo."




Iow, language is essential.
In the Philippines, there are
between 120 and 175 dialects,
depending on the method of
classification. Four dialects
no longer have any known
speakers. Almost all the
Philippine dialects belong to
the Austronesian language
family. Of all of these , only 2
are considered official
languages in the country
while (as of 2010) about 12
are considered official
auxiliary.
In Asian Am. communities,
the most common slurs
are not such terms as
Chink or Jap, but FOB
(Fresh Off the Boat) or
white-washed, meaning
too assimilated.

In Philippines, we have
amboy, Chinoy.
A Twinkie is a person
yellow on the outside,
white on the inside.
Native Americans call
other Indians Apples if
they are red on the outside
but white on the inside.
African Americans call
other Blacks Oreos if they
judge them to be brown on
the outside but white on
the inside.
8
Common Ethnic Metaphors Based on the Colors of
RED, YELLOW, and BROWN.
Cultural Anthropology
Cultural anthropology is concerned with
how and why cultures vary or are similar
in the past and present.

The Three Branches of Cultural Anthropology are:
Archaeology
Linguistics
Ethnology
Cultural Anthropology
Sometimes known as ethnology, cultural
anthropology examines contemporary
societies and cultures throughout the
world.
Participant observation:
Ethnography
Ethnographic data
Scattered thoughts about
Cultural Anthropology
Its holistic (as opposed to atomistic or
narrow)
Its comparative
Etic (from outsiders vantage point)
Emic (from an insiders vantage point
Perspectives run the gamut from
relativism to ethnocentrism
You will get your hands dirty (fieldwork)
Culture consists of
1. Learned concepts and behavior
2. Underlying perspectives (worldview)
3. Resulting products
nonmaterial (customs and rituals)
material (artifacts)

Chuck Krafts definition
complex, integrated
coping mechanism.
Value of Anthropology
Individual
The study of different cultures provides a
better understanding of ones own culture
and develops valuable leadership skills.
Societal
Understanding different cultures can
contribute to the solution of pressing
societal problems.


The Relevance of Anthropology
In order to understand humans, it
is essential that we study humans
in all times and places.
Anthropological studies can
illustrate why other people are the
way they are, both culturally and
physically.


Goals of Anthropology
To eliminate ethnocentrism.
To promote socio-cultural change.
To give people a voice.
To educate non-indigenous people.



Ethnocentrism
Ethnocentrism is the idea that one
persons culture is superior to other
cultures.
Eliminating these attitudes is one of the
primary goals of anthropology in
general.

Sociocultural change
Cultural Change
To educate non-indigenous people of
indigenous culture.
A Kayapo chieftain wears the traditional
botoque through his lower lip. The plate is
made out of balsa wood, and is a sign of
courage meant to frighten the enemy.

An Igorot chieftain wears the
traditional Igorot clothes.
Defining culture
1. Philip Bock What makes you a
stranger when youre away from home
2. Ruth Benedict learned patterns
3. Charles Kraft Complex, integrated
coping mechanism
4. Bob Sjogren -- What makes us us
and them them
Culture is
what makes
you a
stranger
when you are
away from
home
Viewing culture as successive levels
Diagram by Lloyd Kwast
What makes up a culture?
What are those learned patterns and
behaviors?
Cultural Universals

George Murdocks 70 cultural universals
1. Place and time
2. Family life
3. Economics
4. Food, clothing, shelter and
transportation
See note
Note: Drives vs. culture
Hunger is a basic human psycho-
biological drive.
How that hunger is satisfied involves all
kinds of cultural things (what is eaten,
how it is prepared, how it is eaten . . .).
5. Communication
6. Government
7. Arts and recreation
8. Education
9. Quest for the supernatural
Indigenous Group : Luzon
Photo by: Jacob Maentz Agta; Aeta; Ayta
Aeta
Culture
Aeta in hunting. Photo by Sammy de Leon
Luzon
Agta; Ayta; Aeta
Agta Cagayan
Agta Casiguran
Aeta
Pakkak Gadang
Pugot
Negritos (Pinatubo)
Who?
The Aeta people in the
Philippines are Australo-
Melanesians. Today other
groups of Australo-
Melanesians are the
Aborigines in Australia,
Papuans and the
Melanesians of the
Solomon Islands,
Vanuatu, Fiji, New
Caledonia etc.
Agta
Art
A traditional form of
visual art is body
scarification. The Aetas
intentionally wound the
skin on their back, arms,
breast, legs, hands,
calves and abdomen, and
then they irritate the
wounds with fire, lime and
other means to form
scars.
Clothing
Today most Aeta who
have been in contact with
lowlanders have adopted
the T-shirts, pants and
rubber sandals commonly
used by the latter.
Cordillera-Igorot
Bontoc Bontoc
Cordillera-Igorot
Isneg Bontoc
Banawe Rice Terreces
Igorots






Northern Cordilleran
Ilocano (Ilocos Norte and
Ilocos Sur)
Isneg (northern Apayao
Province)
Gaddang (Nueva Vizcaya
and Isabela)
Ibanagic
Ibanag (Cagayan and
Isabela)
Itawis (Southern Cagayan)
Yogad (Isabela)

Central Cordilleran
KalingaItneg
Kalinga (Kalinga Province)
Itneg (Abra Province)
Nuclear
Balangao (eastern
Mountain Province)
Bontok (central Mountain
Province)
Kankanaey (western
Mountain Province,
northern Benguet
Cordillera-Igorot
Southern Cordilleran
Ilongot (eastern Nueva
Vizcaya, western Quirino)
Pangasinan (Pangasinan)
Ibaloi (southern Benguet
Province)
Igorot
Igorot is the collective
name of several
Austronesian ethnic
groups from the
Cordillera, Northern
Luzon. They inhabit the
six provinces of Abra,
Apayao, Benguet,
Kalinga, Ifugao, Mt.
Province; plus the lone
city of Baguio.
Culture
Tattoos
They formerly practiced
head-hunting and had
distinctive body tattoos.
The Bontoc describe
three types of tattoos:
Tattoos
The chak-lag, the
tattooed chest of the
head taker; pong-o, the
tattooed arms of men and
women; and fa-tk, for all
other tattoos of both
sexes. Women were
tattooed on the arms
only.

Igorot
Igorot in Tattoo Igorot in tattoo
Mindoro and Palawan
Mindoro
Alangan
Buhid
Hanunoo
Tadyawan
Taubuid
Iraya
Ratagnon
Palawan
Batak
Palawan
Tagbanwa
Tautbatu
Mangyan
Mindoro
Mangyan is the generic
name for the eight
indigenous groups found
in the Philippine island of
Mindoro, each with its
own tribal name,
language, and customs.
Mangyan
The ethnic groups from
north to south of the
island are: Iraya,
Alangan, Tadyawan,
Tawbuid (called
Batangan by lowlanders),
Buhid, Hanunoo. An
additional group on the
south coast is labelled
Ratagnon.
Mindoro and Palawan (Mangyan)
Mindoro Palawan
Mangyan
Mangyan Mangyan

A member of the
Mangyan tribe aims his
spear during a "Sibat"
throwing
Mangyan
Mangyan Mangyan
Palawan-Tagbanua
Palawan
The Tagbanwa or
Tagbanua, one of the
oldest ethnic groups in
the Philippines, can be
mainly found in the
central and northern
Palawan. Tagbanwa are
possible descendants of
the Tabon Man.
Central Tagbanua
are found in the western
and eastern coastal areas
of central Palawan. They
are concentrated in the
municipalities of Aborlan,
Quezon, Puerto Princesa.
Palawan- Tagbanua
Tagbanua
Calamian Tagbanwa, on
the other hand, are found
in Baras coast, Busuanga
Island, Coron Island and
in some parts of El Nido.

Arts and Crafts
The traditional costumes
of the Tagbanwa were
fashioned from the bark
of trees, particularly the
salugin. The preparation
of this bark was unique.
Palawan: Tagbanua
Tagbanua Tagbanua
Tagbanua
Tagbanua Tagbanua
Tagbanua
Visayas- Ati
Ati
Ati are scattered in
Western Visayas in the
provinces of Aklan,
Capiz, Antique, Iloilo,
Guimara, Negros
Occidental and Negros
Oriental.
Ati
The biggest population
settled in Nagpana,
barangay Lipata, Barutac
Viejo (lloilo). Other bigger
groups are found in Hanti
(Antique), Malay (Aklan),
and Lambunao (lloilo).
The total population is
63,654 (OSCC, 1987)
Visayas-Ati
Ati
Atis practices animism.
They believe in the
existence of Kalosonin
(spirit of the forest) and
the aswang(witch). They
hold a unique wedding
rite on top of a hill. The
bride is made to run fast
one hundred meters
away from the groom.
Ati
They have retained their
dialect with traces of the
ancient terms of
"Kinaray-a" and dialects
of the present time
"Hiligaynon".
Visayas
Ati Ati
Visayas
Ati Ati
Visayas-Hamtikanon
Hamtikanon
Hamtikanon/Kiniray-a
known also as Antiqueo,
Hantik, and Hantikanon,
they are concentrated in
the municipalities of San
Jose (36,902), T. Fornier
(24,254), Culasi (27,915),
and Bugasong (23,767).
Hamtikanon
In the province of
Antique, they number
some 369,872. The total
national population is
about 529,285 (NSO
1990).
Visayas
Hamtikanon Hamtikanon
Visayas-Magahat
Magahat
The Magahats are also
known as the Ati-Man
and Bukidnon. There are
concentrations of
Magahats found in
southwestern Negros,
Santa Catalina, Bayawan,
and Siaton in Negros
Oriental; and in Negros
Occidental.
Magahat
Their language is a
mixture of Hiligaynon and
Sugbuhanon.
Magahats practice
swidden agriculture,
because their settlements
are in mountainous
areas. They are food
gatherers and good
hunters as well.
Visayas
Magahat Magahat
Visayas
Sulod Sulod
the term "sulod" meaning
"interior" or "closed
place". They are also
called "montesses" by
lowlanders, meaning
literally "mountain
dwellers." To distinguish
them from the Ati who live
in the foothills.
Visayas
Molbog Molbog
The Molbogs probably
migrated from North
Borneo. They might be
related to the Orang
Tidung pr Tirum, an
Islamized indigenous
group found in the
northeastcoast of Sabah
since they have similar
dialect and socio-cultural
practices.
Visayas-Molbog
Molbog
However, some Sama
and Tausug words are
incorporated in the
Molbog dialect. There are
also differences in their
socio-cultural life that
separates them from the
Orang Tidung.
Molbog
The Molbog's livelihood is
composed of farming and
fishing. They also barter
with the nearby Sulu
Bangsamoro and Sabah.
Visayas
Bagobo tribe Molbog tribe
Mindanao - Mangwanga
Mangwanga
The Mandaya are a complex
group (Mangwanga,
Mangrangan, Managosan,
Magosan, Pagsupan,
Divavaonon, Dibabaon,
Mansaka) and can be found in
Davao Oriental province where
there is a population of some
22,000 (NSO 1980).
Traditionally, each domain has
a headman, bagani, whose word
is considered law and who wears
distinctive clothing. His rule is
tempered by an advisory council,
angtutukay, usually composed of
elders in the community. With the
disappearance of the bagani
structure at present the civil
structures of the barangay
prevails.




Mindanao
Mangwanga Bagobo tribe
Mindanao-Mandaya
The
Mandaya/Mansaka
are famous for their
distinctive dress
and ornamentation.
Mindanao
Mindanao- Manobo
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.
Social life for the Manobo is
patriarchal, or male-dominated.
The head of the family is the
husband. Polygyny (having more
than one wife at a time) is
common, and is allowed
according to a man's wealth.
However, among the Bukidnon,
most marriages are
monogamous. The only exception
is that of the powerful datus, or
headmen.


Mindanao
Mindanao - Badjao
The Badjao are popularly known
as "Sea Gypsies" of the Sulu and
Celebes Sea. The name "Badjao"
is a Malay-Bornean word which
connotes "man of the seas" or
Orang-Laut in Bahasa Malayo.
Their Sama and Tausug
neighbors call them by pejorative
names such as Samal Palau
(outcast Samal).
The Badjaos are oppressed tribe.
They are referred to as palao or
lumaan (God forsaken) by the
Tausugs. Badjaos developed an
inferiority attitude towards the
Tausugs and the Samals who
always look down on them.
Badjao
Thought for the day:
I personally prepared
this for my Anthropology
Class, hoping that they
will learn to cherish the
moment I shared them
indigenous culture.
Emily Comedis
As you age naturally,
your family shows more
and more on your face. If
you deny that, you deny
your heritage.

Frances Conroy




Howard Culbertson, Southern Nazarene University
Pearson Education 2011
Indigenous People in the Philippines ( Comm. On
Ind. People)




Reference