Manobo, Matigsalug in Philippines

Introduction / History

The Manobo comprise several people groups who inhabit the island of Mindanao in the Philippines. They speak one of the languages belonging to the Manobo language family. One of these languages is Matigsalug, which distinguishes them from the others.

Early Malay tribespeople groups trace their origins to the surrounding islands of Southeast Asia. Today, their common cultural language and Malay heritage help preserve their interconnectedness despite their physical lack of physical proximity.

The Manobo cluster includes eight groups: the Cotabato Manobo, Agusan Manobo, Dibabawon Manobo, Matigsalug Manobo, Sarangani Manobo, Manobo of Western Bukidnon, Obo Manobo and Tagabawa Manobo. The groups remain connected by name with either political divisions or landforms. These eight Manobo groups remain very similar, differing only in dialect and with some aspects of culture. The distinctions occur because of their geographical separation.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Agriculture remains the most common lifestyle work among the Matigsalug Manobo.

Social life for the Matigsalug Manobo is patriarchal (male-dominated). The husband serves as the head of the family. Polygyny (having more than one wife at a time) constructs the family units and determines a man's wealth.

The political structures of Manobo groups appear similar. The sultan, a ruler, is considered the head of the group, with the royal and non-royal classes beneath him in status. Only those people belonging to the royal classes can aspire towards obtaining the throne. Those belonging to the non-royal classes remain suppressed under the power and authority of the royal classes. Each class functions interdependently from the others.

The group’s political aspects of life often integrate within 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.

The eight Manobo groups comprise of varying population numbers. Many of the groups are struggling with a changing world. Outside pressures greatly affected these respective cultures.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The religious beliefs of the Matigsalug Manobo revolve around many unseen spirits interfering in the lives of humans. They believe these spirits can intrude on human activities to accomplish their desires. The people groups believe spirits demonstrate human characteristics; thus, these spirits possess good and evil attributes.

While the religious practices of the Manobo vary slightly, there seems to be at least one common thread linking them together. Each culture believes in one "great spirit," usually viewed as the creator figure, which can benefit the gospel from being accepted.

As the various Manobo groups separate, the religious beliefs of other people groups influence them. However, the Matigsalug Manobo often incorporate these new practices into their belief system rather than abandoning their practices and converting toward belief in new religions.

What Are Their Needs?

The farming techniques used by many of the Manobo groups remain inefficient. Inefficiency of labor hinders economic growth within their communities. Crop rotation becomes a vital agricultural development project among the people group. Such training would not only enhance their efforts but also provide open doors through which missionaries may enter.

Prayer Points

Ask God to encourage and protect the small number of Matigsalug Manobo Christians and equip them to disciple their people.
Ask the Lord to call people to share Christ with the Matigsalug Manobo.
Pray that God will raise up Christian workers to live among them and teach them agricultural skills.
Pray for the Lord to give the Matigsalug Manobo a record-breaking harvest as a testimony of his power and goodness.

Text Source:   Joshua Project