🇵🇭 MANABO • Cultural Experience with the Ammutan/Muyadan Tribe of Manabo

"There was a language barrier but the mere fact that I am witnessing a portion of their culture has made me think that these people are simply unique and blessed!"

Being able to witness a small portion of the cultural beauty of the Ammutan Tribe is already enough to give me chills and fascination. It made me think how meager my exposure is to the indigenous people (IP) of our country; and how little my knowledge is about the original Filipinos (pre-colonial natives, also called as Austronesians, a general term for this original Pacific islanders. "Filipino" is coined after the Spanish regime's King Philip). I have been preoccupied so much with lowland living, and lately, city lifestyle which has changed my view to how should I look the Philippines as a nation.

A young generation of the Ammutan Tribe, to continue the legacy

Then upon seeing and experiencing a dose of the culture of the 4 Tinguian sub-tribes of Abra, my point of view changed instantly. Actually there are 12 sub-tribes, I have seen 4 of them  as of this writing. But for now, I want to take it slow and feature one tribe at a time. Of course, I am on my way of seeing and experiencing more of this Indigenous People and hoping to see all the 12 Tinguian sub-tribes.

With this experience, it would be safe to say that the Philippines is already a thriving civilization before the Westerners came to colonize our beautiful country. We have our own identity as a nation and this is evident by the culture and traditions of our mountain tribes being uninfluenced much by the Westerners.

Smile of an Ammutan Girl

Ammutan Tribe is said to be the descendants of a certain man called Ammut. But now, the Ammutan tribe is called as Muyadan tribe. Ammutan Tribe a.k.a. Muyadan Tribe inhabit the town of Manabo in Abra.

In a barangay called Catacdegan (subdivided into Catacdegan Viejo and Nuevo), members of the Ammutan tribes (and some non-Ammutan people) gathered to celebrate an occasion.

Suddenly, male kids in G-strings and girls in their Tinguian clothes came. Then they danced their traditional Tadek with pride. The music playing sounds familiar but the words... the words were not. It was sung in their Ammutan dialect. There was a language barrier but the mere fact that I am witnessing a portion of their culture has made me think that these people are simply unique and blessed! They can understand my language but I can't understand theirs. They continued their tribal dancing that served as a cultural feast before my eyes.

Kids in G-String

Following the beat

Pretty Ammutan Girl

Young boys of the tribe

Love and Pride

Beautiful gesture

Colorful Itneg Clothes and Accessories

In sync

Ammutan/Muyadan kids

As I am making a research more about these Tinguian tribes, I found out that they are considered as pagans, in a Christian point of view. These pagans worship the nature, have rituals and traditions that give honor to the elements of nature.

But as I witness the Ammutan tribes, it was not an absolute paganistic tribe maybe because some members of the tribe have gained exposure to the outside world of Christianity.

As they danced, I was hearing a familiar music at the background that I used to sing when I was a kid (and until now) in our church. The song tells about the great love of Jesus Christ to all children in the world whatever race and nation they belong.

But the music playing has different words. It was studio-recorded in their tribal dialect. I can't understand the words but at least, as a Christian, I am looking forward that paganistic rites and rituals can be modified to a Christian point of view without sacrificing their intangible cultural heritage. It's complicated because most tribal rituals and rites are mainly an-anito-worship. So, the introduction of the gospel would mean stopping nature-worship, hence their traditions. But of course, as I witness the Ammutan tribes of Manabo, they can embrace Christianity without leaving the good traditions of their tribal bloodline.

...to the tune of a kiddie song, "Jesus Loves the Little Children" 

tadek... tadek... tadek...

Proud kid of the Ammutan Tribe

Our society is too complex, and our opinions too. So whatever race or tribe we belong, we need to respect each other. In the long run, the world can be a better place to live if there is unity in diversity.

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You are reading the Part 1 of my Manabo #TownExploration Series

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | 

Tags: Ammutan Tribe | Muyadan Tribe | Tribes of Manabo, Abra | Cordillera Tribes |