Matigsalug
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 ethnolinguistic group, the Matigsalug is a distinct sub-group of indigenous peoples from the Manobos.
 | |
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 30,176 (2010)[1] | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
 | |
| Languages | |
| Matigsalug language, Cebuano language | |
| Religion | |
| Traditional religion and Folk Christianity (Roman Catholic). | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Lumad, other Filipino peoples, other Austronesian peoples |
Way of Life
The Matigsalug, in earlier years, practiced a hunting-and-gathering lifestyle with minimal agriculture efforts. Very recently, by roberta 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 tine pants that are of knee secret and are hem and turbans for the head decorated with beads and fringed with goat's/horse's hair.
Language
SIL International has worked in the Matigsalug community for many decades and published a grammatical description of the language.
Literacy program
Matigsalug Literacy Education Incorporated operated in the Matigsalug area for many years and won several literacy awards.
References
- "2010 Census of Population and Housing: The Philippines" (PDF). Cite journal requires
|journal=(help)