Casiguran Dumagat Agta in Philippines

The Casiguran Dumagat Agta have only been reported in Philippines
Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The Dumagat people are of the Agta Negrito groups found in Luzon. In the past, these people lived in coastal areas of Aurora and Quezon provinces and were lords in their own domain. However, because of the coming of Filipino homesteaders into the Agta area they were pushed into the mountains and dispersed in small groups.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Dumagats are semi-nomadic. They move from place to place in search of better habitation. Recently, they have learned to live permanent settlements. They are reported found scattered in different locations. They are also divided into six languages.
The Kabulowan are one of the subgroups of the Dumagat (also known as "Baluga").
Dumagat families are generally simple nuclear family. They live in extended family groupings. If conflicts arise among themselves, they just move away.
In the past, men wore a cloth of g-string and the women wore wrap around skirts. Now, they wear used, machine sewed lowland clothes.
Economically, they are very poor. Their livelihood ranges from hunting and gathering to having gardens and raising coconuts. These days, hunting and gathering are greatly reduced due to depletion of forest resources caused by logging operations. Many of them now work as unskilled laborers for lowland farmers near their location. Most Dumagats are tied into a patron-client relationship with one or more lowlander families. In this relationship, the Dumagats gather rattan and trade it with the lowlander or they work for the lowlander. In turn, the lowlander gives them rice, tobacco, money, or other items. In many cases, Dumagats are abused, oppressed and are always on the losing end. Most of them are unable to determine the fair equivalent of goods being exchanged or services rendered. They depend on their relationship for their daily ration of food.
Within their culture, much of the behavior is governed by rules between types of kinsmen. The family itself is the organization that undertakes all roles. Their social control system is unstructured. If conflicts arise, they just move away some old people.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Dumagats are animist. Practices and beliefs differ from person to person. Dumagat animism has less control over the people's daily lives. In addition, they have adopted some of the beliefs of their Christian neighbors. Now, they hold to a universal belief in a single God, maybe a result of Christian influence. Cultish groups are also working in the area.


What Are Their Needs?

There has been a lot of mission work done in each of these Dumagat language groups. The need now is for spiritual opening, leading to a great harvest.


Prayer Points

Pray that the Aeta believers as well as the Dumagat believers will take the responsibility to go ahead in the Christian groups with preaching and teaching the gospel - to reach other Negritos.
Praise God for the fruit of the faithful missionary efforts. Praise God for the Dumagat believers. Pray that the Holy Spirit will make them grow and remain in the Lord even after the missionaries have left.
Praise God for community aid projects done for the Dumagats. Praise God also that some of them have learned to live in permanent settlements facilitated by concerned groups. However, many agencies were unsuccessful in their attempts to help settle the Dumagats because their ways and means conflict with the Dumagat values and social organization. Pray that if anyone who wishes to help the Dumagats, assistance be given in a way that agrees with the values and present limitations of the Dumagat culture.
The future of the Dumagats looks bleak. Serious problems include drunkenness, chronic malnutrition, decimation of wild game, loss of land to lowland homesteaders and probably ethnic disintegration. Pray that God will show mercy to these people, providing help to meet their needs.


Scripture Prayers for the Agta, Casiguran Dumagat in Philippines.


References

Asia Missions (AMNET)


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Agta, Casiguran Dumagat
People Name in Country Agta, Casiguran Dumagat
Natural Name Casiguran Dumagat Agta
Pronunciation kah-see-GOO-rahn doo-mah-GAHT AHG-tah
Alternate Names
Population this Country 900
Population all Countries 900
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 4  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
PeopleID3 12392
ROP3 Code 104350
Country Philippines
Region Asia, Southeast
Continent Asia
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Central Luzon, east coast; Isabela Province, Dinapigue municipality; down coast, Aurora Province, past Casiguran city as far as Dipaculao municipality; Quirino Province, thin border strip.   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Country Philippines
Region Asia, Southeast
Continent Asia
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Central Luzon, east coast; Isabela Province, Dinapigue municipality; down coast, Aurora Province, past Casiguran city as far as Dipaculao municipality; Quirino Province, thin border strip..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Map of Agta, Casiguran Dumagat in Philippines
Primary Religion: Ethnic Religions
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 1.00 %)
4.00 %
Ethnic Religions
96.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Agta, Casiguran Dumagat (900 speakers)
Language Code dgc   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Agta, Casiguran Dumagat (900 speakers)
Language Code dgc   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Agta, Casiguran Dumagat
Photo Source Anonymous 
Map Source People Group location: WLMS / Tribal Ministry Team. Map geography: ESRI / GMI. Map design: Joshua Project.  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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