THE AETA

The Aetas, Agta or Ayta  are the original black race (Africans) that

live in scattered, isolated mountainous northern part of The Philippines on the island of Luzon

before the Austronesian (Malays and Asian groups) migrations.

The different names referring to Aeta like "Ayta", "Agta", "Atta"/"Ata", "Ati" and "Ita" were

probably derived from the root word "it", which in many Philippine languages means "black“.

indigenous people scattered widely over 7,000 square kilometers of dense rain

forest in eastern Luzon in the Philippines.

They are thought to be among the earliest

inhabitants of the Philippines

Shortness

Stature (1.35-

1.5 meters)

Dark Skin

Kinky Hair

Broad Nose

Physical Characteristics

Agta or Aeta

The Agtas grow root crops, rice and vegetables in their farms. Rice takes time to harvest, so they substitute it with a boiled root crop called “dugma,” which gives them a shorter harvest time.

Hunting is another means of subsistence for the Agtas.

They catch running game by spearing them with pointed sticks called “galud” or by means of pit-traps. Birds are caught by using slingshots locally known as “labtik” and traps made from a glue-like sap called “dikit.”

CULTURELA

NGUA

GE • Mag-indi• Mag-antsi• Abellen• Ambala• Mariveleño

CLOT

HING • Young Women wear

wraparound skirt.• Elder women wear

bark cloth.• Elder men wear

loincloths• The old women of

the Agta wear a bark cloth strip which passes between the legs, and is attached to a string around the waist.

SKIL

LS • Women weave winnows and mats.

• Men make armlets.• Plaiting• Aeta women are

known around the country as experts of the herbal medicines.

• Fishing and catching crabs are other means of livelihood for the Agtas.

Terms Baslay- a bow and arrow used for fishing

Banwit-a set of fishing instrument

Boro- a slender bamboo with a few meters of nylon at one end that has a hook where bait is placed

Sulo-a small torch used to attract the fishes and crabs during night-time fishing

Agahid- a net used for catching fishes and crabs

Kawit- a hooked wire used to dislodge crabs from their hiding places

Sagad-a rattan basket where the catch is placed

Bobo- a trap made from split bamboo fastened together with rattan

Alawa- a fishnet for shallow waters during low tide

CULTUREA traditional form of visual art is body scarification. Other "decorative disfigurements" include the chipping of the teeth.

The Aetas intentionally wound the skin on their back, arms, breast, legs, hands, calves and abdomen, and then they irritate the wounds with fire, lime and other means to form scars.Flowers and leaves are used as earplugs for certain occasions. Girdles, necklaces, and neckbands of braided rattan incorporated with wild pig bristles are frequently worn.

ArtThe Aeta have a musical heritage consisting of various types of agung ensembles– ensembles composed of large hanging, suspended or held, bossed/knobbed gongs which act as drone without any accompanying melodic instrument.

Music

Religious Practices

Monotheistic

Believing in one all-powerful character who rules over the lower entities

The Pinatubo Aeta of Mt. Pinatuba worship a god called Apo Namalyari.

The Aeta are animists, believing that non-human forms are spiritual enitities

THE MALAWEG

•25,000Population

•ItawitPrimary language

•MalawegPrimary Dialect

•ChristianityPrimary Religion

Malaweg

They are located in sections of Cagayan Valley and Kalinga-apayao provinces and in the town of Rizal.

Physically, Malauegs have dark complexion, of medium height and with big body built.

They are known to be quiet, humble, modest, and loyal people.

Agriculture and fishing serves their main economic activities.

are monogamous and still practice the old customs in their way of courtship and marriage.

Giving birth for a Malaueg mother is also replete with ritual practices. Upon birth, the child will be wrapped in a clean cloth and placed in a biga-o, thereafter, it will be pushed towards the door and then the child will be given a name. Afterwards, the child will be laid beside the mother who is then is given ampalaya leaf extracts so that the blood sucked inside the mothers womb is spewed.

Their main crops are lowland rice and corn.