L I V I N G I N H A R M O N Y W I T H N A T U R E : E X P L O R I N G T H E C U L T U R E A N D A R T S O F T H E M A M A N W A T R I B E B Y : J U A N A A B E L L A , J A S C H A A M A T O N G , F R A N Z N E L M I D A
mAMANWA TRIBE MAMANWA TRIBE
TABLE OF INTRODUCTION BACKGROUND CULTURE AND TRADITION PRESENT TIMES 03 04 08 05 REFERENCES 09
Renowned for its rich culture and distinctive way of life, the Mamanwa tribe is one of the oldest indigenous communities in the Philippin
es enowned for its rich culture and distinctive way of life, the Mamanwa tribe is one of the oldest indigenous communities in the Philippines with a history spanning more than 1,000 years. Despite the hurdles of modernization, they have maintained their traditional traditions and beliefs for centuries amid the lush forests of the Caraga region. Their long-standing cultural traditions, strong connection to nature, and tenacity in the face of modernization show the necessity of protecting indigenous cultures and knowledge for a sustainable future.
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The Mamanwa tribe can be found in the Mindanao region of the Philippines. They are considered to be direct descendants of Africa’s Mambuti tribe and are known as the ‘first forest dwellers ’ Unlike other tribes in the area, the Mamanwa tribe are nomadic and survive by hunting and gathering resources. They may be seen growing little crops like yam to fuel their journeys, and because they are frequently exposed to the sun, they have dark skin.
The tribe of Mamanwa has reduced statures as a result of the disappearing hunting culture. However, their traditions and rituals continue to be practiced today and will be discussed more.
The Mamanwa tribe, like the other negrito groups in the Philippines, is descended from the first human people to arrive on foot in the country 50,000 years ago. They are among the country's first and real indigenous people, and along with other 'Australoids' communities, they represent a particular subrace of Homo sapiens that originated in the Indo-Malaysian archipelago.
BACKGROUND
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CULTURE AND TRADITION
Language
The Mamanwa tribe's language is known as "Mamanwa" or "Minamanwa," and it is part of the Austronesian language family. It is classified as a member of the Greater Central Philippine subgroup, which includes languages such as Cebuano, Waray, and Hiligaynon. Moreover, the language is separate and exclusive to the people of their tribe, having its own set of grammar rules, vocabulary, and phonetics
Clothing and food
Traditionally, the Mamanwa tribe wore garments made of forest materials such as bark cloth, abaca, and bamboo. Along with ornaments made of beads, they also have headdresses made of fabric. They rely largely on hunting, fishing, and foraging in the forest for their food. They eat a range of vegetation and hunt a variety of wild creatures, including wild pigs and birds. Today, some of them continue to dress and source food in traditional ways, while others have adapted modern culinary practices and types of clothing, such as shirts and pants.
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PRACTICES / BELIEFS
The extensive spiritual traditions and practices of the Mamanwa tribe, which are represented in their rites and ceremonies, are another noteworthy feature of this group.
The Tephage is one of their rituals. It is a ceremony in which the community expresses gratitude to the ultimate creator Magbabaya for the rich harvest on the land as well as the village's overall oneness. Their rituals reveal two themes: first, respect for tradition; and second, environmentally sound use that preserves the environment for future generations. On the other hand, their belief in the spirit realm is among their most well-known beliefs. They believe that everything in nature has a spirit and that their ancestors and other spirits can speak with them through dreams, visions, and other types of spiritual experience
Living conditions
Currently, Mamanwa tribe communities are typically small, with three to twenty households located in high peaks or valleys. In pursuit of resources and food, they go from one place to another. According to the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, the tribe's traditional houses are constructed of bamboo, wood, and thatch and are intended to be lightweight so that the tribe can migrate from place to place more easily
ART
Along with having distinctive cultural practices and rituals, Mamanwas are recognized for their extraordinary workmanship, demonstrated through their jewelry, tattoos, chants, and traditional dishes and traditional crafts, such as basketry, pangutob, woven rattan bags. Their elaborate weaving and beadwork, in which they incorporate vivid patterns and designs utilizing conventional techniques, is one of their distinctive arts. These items provide information about the ancestry, background, and culture of the tribe, and as a result, is what sustains the widespread custom.
Their cultural traditions, particularly their art, are passed down through oral tradition and are preserved through seminars, exhibitions, and festivals Moreover, ancient art forms are preserved by elders and community members, who also transmit them on to new generations through songs, chants, and stories
In addition, they have their own songs and chants for ceremonies, as well as graceful, fluid dances that express their spiritual beliefs and relationship to nature. These dances are accompanied by rhythmic music played on bamboo instruments
Perhaps their most amazing quality is their ongoing defense of their cultural identity through the preservation of their land. Mamanwa village is one of the places where culture, customs, arts, and rituals have been most successfully preserved The village has demonstrated its belonging to Filipino culture and its originality They take care to pass on their traditions and cultural norms to the following generation in order to preserve their culture They have been making a concerted effort to protect the arts and crafts as a component of the Philippines' cultural heritage for future generations.
The impeccably preserved Mamanwa indigenous leadership structure demonstrated their determination to conserve the priceless knowledge and cultural heritage of these communal organizations
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PRESENT TIME
CONDITIONS
At the present time, the Mamanwa tribe still exists and practices their cultural traditions, upholding their rituals and beliefs. However, like many indigenous communities in the country and around the world, they are limited to almost all aspects needed for living. Because of this, they face various challenges such as poverty, little to no access to basic necessities, and lack of educational opportunities.The Mamanwa tribe faces threats to their ancestral lands and resources due to modernization, but they remain resilient and committed to preserving their cultural heritage to protect their identity.
The Mamanwa tribe highlights the importance of protecting communities that preserve and maintain the country’s diverse cultural heritage and their art promotes the creativity and significance of indigenous artisans in the Philippines.
REFERENCES
(n.d.) Mamanwa. https://www.csueastbay.edu/museum/virtualmuseum/the-philippines/peoples/mamanwa.html
(n.d.). The Case of the Binantazan nga Banwa / Binantajan nu Bubungan ICCA of the Mamanwa-Manobo. The Case of the Binantazan nga Banwa / Binantajan nu Bubungan ICCA of the Mamanwa-Manobo
Malong, R. T. (2018, December). Village Institution and Leadership Practices of the Mamanwa in Tandag, Surigao del Sur. Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies.
https://multidisciplinaryjournal.com/pdf/173.pdf
Malong, R. T. (2019, July 17). Village Institutions and Rituals of the Mamanwas and its Development Implications. Asia Pacific Journal of Multidisciplinary Research,, 7.
http://www.apjmr.com/wpcontent/uploads/2019/07/APJMR-2019.7.03.04.pdf
Mamanwa tribe. (2011, September 28). Kitcharao, Ato Kini. . . https://kitcharao.wordpress.com/municipality-of-kitcharaoagusan-del-norte/mamanwa/
Tomaquin, R. D. (2013). INDIGENOUS RELIGION, INSTITUTIONS AND RITUALS OF THE MAMANWAS OF CARAGA REGION, PHILIPPINES. Asian Journal of Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities, 1.
http://lib.mainit.org/88/1/INDIGENOUS-RELIGION-INSTITUTIONSAND-RITUALS-OF-THE-MAMANWAS-OF-CARAGA-REGION-
PHILIPPINES-.pdf
