The People in General

THE PEOPLE IN GENERAL

Speaking of people, Davao City is.composed of many ethnico-cultural groups of diverse background, customs and dialects that co-exist. Ethnic groups and cultures are varied as their customs and believes. The varied cultures in Davao City are Spanish, American, Chinese, Japanese and Muslim combined with the culture of the indigenous ethnic tribes and those of other Filipino migrants from Luzon and Visayas. The indigenous ethnic groups referred to are the Atas, Bagobos, (Guiangas, Obo, Tagabawa), Mandayas, Mansakas, Kalagans, and Manobos.

The city of Davao is a microcosm of Philippine culture and society because it is a community where the three community patterns that somehow affected Philippine History are present. The three community patterns in tthe city are the communities of the.indigenouse ethnic tribe (generally are pagans); the Moro or Muslim communities and the communities of the Christian Filipinos and foreigns. Pagan, Muslim and Christian Filipinos generally belong to the same race of mixed Malay and Indonesian stock except the Negritos aborigines. The Christian group occupies a place of dominance that it forms the majority while the Muslims and the indiginous ethnic tribes forn the minority.

Characteristics of the present population is the result of the unusual blending. Of the contradictory qualities of the early people that inhabited Davao and the migrant Christian Filipinos from Luzon and the Visayas and foreigners from far places. The cultural background of the people are diverse that there exist different refional social groups and organizations.

The Bagobo tribe of Davao City is considered one of the most peaceful tribes. Most of them now live in the hinterlands of Guianga, Baracatan, Baguio, and Calinan. Many of them are also found in the other parts of the city. They are considered the most educated and most advanced among the indiginous tribes in Davao city. Statistics shows that these people have successfully sent their children to school and have produced many professionals.

The Atas consideredvthe earliest indigenous tribe tobsettle in Davao, are still existing although small in number. They are found.living in the jungle of the unexplored areas beyond the hills of.Little Baguio in Calinan and Lacson in Davao City.

The Mandayas are considered bynother non-christian tribes as the oldest and most illutrious of the peoples. They are the.offsprings of the Malay-Manobo union. Some researchersvsay that the.Mandayas are thw greatest and best tribe in Eastern Mindanao.

The Muslim groups that are found in Davao City came fromother parts of Mindanao. They are the Tausug, Maguindanaons, Maranaos and Kalagans. The Kalagan Muslims belong to the bigger group of minorities living in Davao City.