Who are the Indigenous People?

Indigenous people are people who share common language, customs and traditions and cultural traits. They are still living in isolated and self-sufficient communities for them to preserve the culture of their tribe. The exact number of Indigenous People in the Philippines is still unknown, but it is estimated between 10% and 20% of the country’s population. Indigenous people can be found in Luzon, some in Visayas, and in Mindanao.

There are various Indigenous Filipino ethnic groups and Tribes in The Philippines.

Indigenous People in Cordillera Administrative Region mountains are called “Igorots.” The CAR region is composed of six provinces: Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga and Mountain Province.

The word “Igorot” is derived from Austronesian term for “mountain people” I-means “dweller of” and golot means “mountain range.” The Igorots are known for their hardworking, sturdy, and loyal to their origin. They are rich in culture and beliefs that they possessed up until today. Lands are important to them because it is their main source of their livelihood. One proof of it, is the Banaue Rice Terraces located in a tribe of Ifugao. There are eight ethno-linguistic groups in the Cordillera, namely, Bontoc, Isneg, Kalinga, Kankanaey, Tingguian, and Yapayao, Ibaloi, and Ifugao Bontoc Ibaloi.

The Aeta