Bukidnon's Tribes

In less than a month, Bukidnon will be celebrating it's annual Kaamulan Festival -- the coming together of the seven native tribes of Bukidnon.  These tribes are the Bukidnon, Manobo, Matigsalug, Talaandig, Higa-onon, Umayamnon, and Tigwahanon.  Each of these groups has it's own signature mark, as follows (taken from http://kleomarlo.multiply.com/journal/item/25):

1.  Bukidnon - Contrary to what their name implies, these are actually lowland people, those who have adapted to Christian ways and modern living.

2.  Manobo - The most widespread of all Bukidnon tribes, they can be found mainly in the municipalities of Pangantucan, Kalilangan and Kadilingan, with roots in Don Carlos, Kitaotao, Kibawe, Quezon and Damulog.  They have developed their own archaic language which cannot be understood by the other tribes.

3.  Matigsalug - Basically river people, they live along the Salug River in San Fernando.

4.  Talaandig - The tribe's women are expert embroiderers and patchwork-makers, producing beautifully colored bead jewelry and materials.  The people are semi-sedentary, living mostly on the sale of their handmade products and agriculture.  They are found in Talakag.

5.  Higa-onon - Identified as the most common tribe, the people have migrated as far as Misamis Oriental and  Agusan del Sur, but have remained peaceful with agriculture as their main source of income.  They still practice their traditional dances and rituals wherever they are.

6.  Umayamnon - The nomadic branch of the Manobo tribe, they live near the Umayam River and specialize in beadwork and brass jewelry.

7.  Tigwahanon - They live along the Tigwa River and in the Tigwa-salug Valley and are known as the traders among the ethnic groups.

The Kaamulan Festival will showcase Tribal Culture and Arts (February 27) and will highlight their Ethnic Dances (March 6) and Ethnic Sports (March 8).  The festival itself will open on February 18 and will close on March 10, the day Bukidnon became a province in 1917.  (see also Kaamulan 2010 Activities at BukidnonOnline)

Cultural immersion anyone?