BAKGROUND OF THE SUBANEN
Answer (1)
The Subanen are one of the indigenous groups in the Philippines, mainly found in the Zamboanga Peninsula, particularly in the provinces of Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, and parts of Misamis Occidental.Name meaning: "Subanen" comes from the word "suba" meaning river. So, Subanen means "people of the river" because they originally lived near rivers.Culture & Beliefs:The Subanen practice a mix of traditional animist beliefs and Christianity (some converted during Spanish colonization).They believe in nature spirits and ancestral spirits.Music, especially gongs and flutes, and dance rituals are important during ceremonies.Traditions:They wear colorful woven clothes. Women often wear embroidered skirts and blouses, and men wear traditional shirts with tribal patterns.They eat local foods like cassava, rice, corn, and root crops.Traditional houses are made of bamboo and nipa palm, often built on stilts.Jobs: They are mostly farmers, fisherfolk, and weavers. Some also engage in small-scale trading or crafts.Society & Leadership: They have a traditional leader called a Timuay, who serves as the judge, peacekeeper, and community leader. The Timuay system is based on customary law.Challenges:Loss of ancestral land due to mining, logging, and developmentLimited access to education and health servicesDiscrimination and lack of political representation
