Kalinga, Southern in Philippines
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Map Source:
Bethany World Prayer Center
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| People Name: | Kalinga, Southern |
| Country: | Philippines |
| 10/40 Window: | No |
| Population: | 20,000 |
| World Population: | 20,000 |
| Primary Language: | Kalinga, Southern |
| Primary Religion: | Ethnic Religions |
| Christian Adherents: | 8.00 % |
| Evangelicals: | 4.00 % |
| Scripture: | New Testament |
| Ministry Resources: | Yes |
| Jesus Film: | No |
| Audio Recordings: | Yes |
| People Cluster: | Filipino, Tribal |
| Affinity Bloc: | Malay Peoples |
| Progress Level: |
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Introduction / History
Although the various people groups that live in the Philippines have similar cultures, there are many small language groups. These are scattered primarily on the islands of Luzon and Mindanao and are primarily tribal. For the most part, they have remained isolated from modernization and still live a lifestyle based on survival.
Like most tribal groups, language is the chief distinguishing feature within their culture. This is true of the Kalinga peoples. The Kalingas have a subgroup that speaks Southern Kalinga, a different dialect than the others.
What Are Their Lives Like?
Some Southern Kalinga people work on coffee plantations. Others live independently.
The Southern Kalinga have a set of taboos. For example, pregnant women and their husbands are not allowed to drink milk, eat beef or dog meat during the pregnancy. They believe that going near a stream during pregnancy will harm the unborn child. They are often betrothed to marry a particular person as early as birth, but either gender can stop the marriage from happening.
Southern Kalinga men wear a loin cloth while the women wear a saya, a colorful garment that covers her from the waist to the ground. She also wears many kinds of jewelry. The Southern Kalinga are known for their elaborate tattoos. They use the same tattoo motifs on ax blades, pottery and textiles. They have their own kinds of ax heads, spears, bags, and backpacks.
What Are Their Beliefs?
The Southern Kalinga believe in a creator god named Kabuniya, who once lived among them. They also believe in spirits and deities associated with nature and their ancestors. They have a priestess who interfaces with these spirits.
Ethnic religion holds the hearts of most of Southern Kalinga, but there are vibrant Christians among them who can take the life-changing gospel to others.
What Are Their Needs?
The modern world is catching up with tribal peoples like the Southern Kalinga. They need ways to enter an unfamiliar workforce when their land is taken from them.
Prayer Points
Pray for loving Christians to reach the Southern Kalinga people through job and language training.
Pray for God to give them a record-high harvest as a testimony of his goodness and power.
Pray for the right strategies to reach the Southern Kalinga people to Christ.
Pray for the Lord to give Kalinga family leaders the spiritual hunger it takes to seek and find the Lord.
Ask God to strengthen, encourage, and protect the small number of Christians living among them.