The Tagbanwa, located in
north and central Palawan, are the dominant ethnic group of that island.
There are concentrations in Coron, Aborlan, and Puerto Princesa. The Tagbanwa
are noted for the complicated
Pagdiwata ritual, held to celebrate
various occasions including bountiful harvests and weddings. The ritual
involves the drinking of rice wine from Chinese stoneware jars through bamboo
straws. Like some of the
Mangyan, the Tagbanwa
have created their own syllabic script based on an ancient Hindic model.
As elsewhere, rice is a ritual food and a divine gift from which the ritual
wine is fermented. The Tagbanwa exploit forest resources including copal,
rattan, and wax for income; they also craft iron with the double-bellows
forge. They are one of the few remaining peoples still using the blowgun.
Kinship is reckoned bilaterally, although there is a bias towards matriocality
after marriage. Affinal relations are tenuous, and "in-law avoidance" is
practiced.
AKA:
Tagbanuwa, Apurahuano, Tagbanua, Kalamian, Calamiano,
Kalamianon, Kalamianen, Tangdula’nen, Silanga’nen, Tagbanoua
Location:
Palawan and outlying islands
Languages:
Supergroup:
Subgroups:
Apurahuan, Inagauan, Tandula'nen, Silanga'nen.
Also Kalamianen of Calamian islands
Subsistence:
Swidden rice, corn, taro, sweet potato, cassava
(preferred). Hunting; fishing, especially among the Kalamianen.
Population:
13,643 (1990)