The Seven (7) Tribes of Bukidnon
The typical Indigenous People of this Province are broadly identified into two ethnical origins namely: the Bukidnon and the Manobo.
The Bukidnons have distinct physical characteristics whom may be describe as with slight build bodies, slanting eyelets, relatively high noses with lips that ranges from medium and brown to light skin color. They speak binukid, which is distinctive with up and down tone unlike other dialects.
While the Manobo is a Negrito mixture and resembles to have small bodies, dark skin, curly hair with broad to flat noses. Socially, the so called Bukidnon live in the relative flatlands of the Bukidnon plateau and have already adopted Christian ways and utilized modern technology while the Manobos live in the mountains and do not want to mingle with the Christians and other people. It is believed that Bukidnon have a more advanced stage of development and who have developed their own culture and traditions.
The Bukidnon tribes were classified as lowlands and socially acculturated Christians adopting modern technology through educational enhancement. These are the following:
1. BUKIDNONS. The lowlanders. Acculturated Bukidnons who have adapted Christian ways and utilized modern technology living in the lowlands among Christians.
2. MATIGSALUGS. People of Salug River specifically in Kalangangan, San Fernando, Bukidnon and some in Simod.
3. TIGWAHANONS. People along the watershed of Tigwa River and in the Tigwa-salug Valley. They are loud spoken people and the traders among the hinterland ethnic groups.
4. UMAYAMNONS. Highly nomadic Bukidnon Manobo with fine skills in beadwork and brass jewelry. These people live along the watershed of Umayam River. They are reserved and quiet, fair skinned with prominent checkbones and wear beaded turban without hair.
5. TALAANDIGS. People from Talakag who choose to call themselves as such when Panamin took custody of them since September 18, 1975. the women of this tribe are expert embroiderers and patchwork makers. They are semi-sedentary in moods of living.
6. HIGAONONS. Are situated in the provinces of Agusan del Sur, Misamis Oriental and Bukidnon. Planting of Rice, corn and vegetables are their means of living.
7. MANOBOS. These people are natives of the municipalities of Pangantucan, Kalilangan and Kadingilan. These speak a quaint archaic language of their own which cannot be understood by the lowland Bukidnon and other ethnic groups in the province. Others lived in the municipalities of Don Carlos, Kitaotao, Kibawe, Quezon and Damulog.
