Manobo, Agusan in Philippines

Introduction / History

The Manobo are several people groups who inhabit the island of Mindanao in the southern Philippines. They speak one of the languages belonging to the Manobo language family. Their origins harken back to the early Malay peoples who came from the surrounding islands of Southeast Asia. Today, their common cultural language and Malay heritage help to keep them connected.

Manobo groups are often connected by name with either political divisions or landforms. The eight Manobo groups are all very similar, differing only in dialect and in some aspects of culture. Often the distinctions have resulted from their geographical separation. In other cases, their name indicates their language. For example, the Agusan Manobo have that name because their language is Agusan.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Most Manobo people, including the Agusan Manobo, lead an agricultural lifestyle. Their yields are limited by outdated farming practices and methods. Some use “slash and burn” agricultural methods, and they are running out of spare land to do this. Others use the same farmland year after year. They are highly dependent on rice, but they also grow sweet potatoes, corn and coconuts. They supplement their diet by fishing and hunting.

Social life for the Manobo is patriarchal (male-dominated). The head of the family is the husband. Polygyny (having more than one wife at a time) is common and is allowed according to a man's wealth.

The political aspects of life are often integrated with the social aspects. For example, many social events, such as weddings, require political leaders. Whenever there is a negotiation for marriage, both the bride and the groom must use the local datu (headman) to make all of the arrangements.

Their homes are usually rectangular. They have one room, which includes sections for cooking, sleeping, and socializing. They use bamboo and wood for most of the building. They build these to last for three to five years. Those who have to move to a new location because they use slash-and-burn agricultural techniques and take whatever they can to build a new home.

Both genders pierce their ears and many have tattoos.

Some of the Agusan Manobo are struggling with adapting to the outside world, while others have migrated to cities and embraced change. Their culture is in the process of undergoing change.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The religious beliefs of the Agusan Manobo center on numerous unseen spirits that interfere with human lives. They believe these spirits possess human characteristics. Depending on how one treats these spirits, they can either benefit or oppose you.

While the religious practices of the Manobo vary slightly, there appears to be at least one common thread that connects them. Each Manobo culture believes in one "great spirit," which is generally regarded as the creator. They do not, however, offer rituals to the creator like they do for the unseen spirits.

The Manobo people have been influenced by external religious beliefs, such as Christianity. Unfortunately, they often blend their faith in Christ with traditional beliefs. There are also strong Christians among them.

What Are Their Needs?

There is always the temptation to blend faith in Christ with faith in the spirit world.

They must give all their devotion to the loving God who longs to make them a part of his family.

The Agusan Manobo need help to increase their crop yields. Their old ways of doing things will not allow them to have enough of a buffer crop.

Prayer Points

Pray for the Lord to thrust out loving Christians with agricultural skills to help them produce an abundant harvest.
Pray for the Agusan Manobo to have the spiritual hunger it takes to put all their faith in Jesus Christ rather than traditional spirits.
Pray there will soon come a day when Agusan Manobo disciples will be discipling others.

Text Source:   Joshua Project