Matigsalug
Encyclopedia
The Matigsalug are the Bukidnon groups who are found in the Tigwa-Salug Valley in San Fernando
in Bukidnon
province, Philippines
. "Matigsalug" is a term, which means "people along the Salug River (now called the Davao River
)". Although often classified under the Manobo tribe, the Matigsalug is a distinct sub-group of indigenous peoples from the Manobos.
The Matigsalug of Bukidnon have an approximate population of 146,500.
There are 50,000 Matigsalugs in these ranges. An area of 77,134 hectares has been awarded to them as their Ancestral Domain certified by the Philippine Government, within 24,045 population.
Oral tradition has said that their original settlement was at the mouth of Salug River, which is now Davao City
. They are the splinter group of the Manobo immigrants (Malayo-Polynesian origin) whose last jump off area to the mainland is the Sulu archipelago
.
Pressures from inland pirates caused the Matigsalug to move further up the Salug River, and even further inland also when the Muslims and others of Indonesian origin came and harassed them in their lowland and mid-latitude habitation. At present, the Matigsalug are around 100 kilometers from their original coastal location.
What remains of their earlier lifestyle is now found in their cultural and artistic expression. This is evidenced by their costume of bright colored mid-rib blouses and short skirt, and with skillful hunting and gathering techniques. This early lifestyle is also shown in their music, songs, dances, poetry, epic, and spiritual expressions.
has worked in the Matigsalug community for many decades and published a grammatical description of the language.
San Fernando, Bukidnon
San Fernando is a 2nd class municipality in the province of Bukidnon, Philippines. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 44,959 people.-History:...
in Bukidnon
Bukidnon
Bukidnon is a landlocked province of the Philippines located in the Northern Mindanao region. Its capital is Malaybalay City. The province borders, clockwise starting from the north, Misamis Oriental, Agusan del Sur, Davao del Norte, Cotabato, Lanao del Sur, and Lanao del Norte.Bukidnon is...
province, Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
. "Matigsalug" is a term, which means "people along the Salug River (now called the Davao River
Davao River
The Davao River catchment is the third largest river catchment on the Southern Philippines Island of Mindanao. It drains an area of over 1700 km² with a river length of 160 km. Most of the area is uplands. Average flows within the river near to the mouth are estimated at 70-80 cubic...
)". Although often classified under the Manobo tribe, the Matigsalug is a distinct sub-group of indigenous peoples from the Manobos.
The Matigsalug of Bukidnon have an approximate population of 146,500.
Distribution
They are presently inhabiting the ranges of Central Mindanao, Philippines.There are 50,000 Matigsalugs in these ranges. An area of 77,134 hectares has been awarded to them as their Ancestral Domain certified by the Philippine Government, within 24,045 population.
Oral tradition has said that their original settlement was at the mouth of Salug River, which is now Davao City
Davao City
The City of Davao is the largest city in the island of Mindanao in the Philippines. Its international airport and seaports are among the busiest cargo hubs in the Philippines....
. They are the splinter group of the Manobo immigrants (Malayo-Polynesian origin) whose last jump off area to the mainland is the Sulu archipelago
Sulu Archipelago
The Sulu Archipelago is a chain of islands in the southwestern Philippines. This archipelago is considered to be part of the Moroland by the local rebel independence movement. This island group forms the northern limit of the Celebes Sea....
.
Pressures from inland pirates caused the Matigsalug to move further up the Salug River, and even further inland also when the Muslims and others of Indonesian origin came and harassed them in their lowland and mid-latitude habitation. At present, the Matigsalug are around 100 kilometers from their original coastal location.
Way of Life
The Matigsalug, in earlier years, practiced a hunting-and-gathering lifestyle with minimal agriculture efforts. Very recently, by the influence of migrant farmers and businessmen from northern Philippines and the island provinces, the Matigsalug shifted to sedentary land cultivation with more or less permanent villages.What remains of their earlier lifestyle is now found in their cultural and artistic expression. This is evidenced by their costume of bright colored mid-rib blouses and short skirt, and with skillful hunting and gathering techniques. This early lifestyle is also shown in their music, songs, dances, poetry, epic, and spiritual expressions.
Clothing
The Matigsalug men wear short tight-fitting pants that are of knee length and are hem and turbans for the head decorated with beads and fringed with goat's/horse's hair.Language
SIL InternationalSIL International
SIL International is a U.S.-based, worldwide, Christian non-profit organization, whose main purpose is to study, develop and document languages, especially those that are lesser-known, in order to expand linguistic knowledge, promote literacy, translate the Christian Bible into local languages,...
has worked in the Matigsalug community for many decades and published a grammatical description of the language.