Negrito, Palawan Batak in Philippines

Introduction / History

The Palawan Batak Negrito people are peaceful, hospitable and shy people, In appearance, they are similar to the Negritos and have been classified as one of the Philippine Aeta groups. Their name "Batak" originated from an old Cuyunon word which means "mountain people". They are referred to by such a name because they live close to nature, having the mountains as their traditional habitat. Settlements are widely distributed in the mountains, river valleys and along the seacoast of the northeastern portion of Palawan Island.

What Are Their Lives Like?

A Palawan Batak Negrito settlement is composed of several bands which may be a hunting or food gathering group of families. Simple dwellings are patterned after those of neighboring groups (Tagbanuas and Cuyunon).

In terms of clothing and ornaments, traditionally Palawan Batak Negrito males wear g-strings and the women wear "tapis" skirts of bark cloth. Recently, they have learned to sue lowland clothes. Adornment in women includes dried grasses, shells and beads to decorate their hair, bands of bamboo and shell on the arms and ankles, and rings of colored rattan strips on the waistband. The men carry a small bamboo or rattan containers on their waistband for their tobacco and betel chew.

The Palawan Batak Negrito are known as traditional hunters and good gatherers. They hunt for wild animals to provide meat in their diet. They also dig wild roots, collect succulent leaves and catch edible insects. These forest items, when available, are included in their meals. Bee larvae and honey is their favorite.

In addition to food items, they also collect forest products such as rattan, resin and honey which they bring to lowland traders to sell for cash or exchange for clothing, rice, salt or metal implements. They have begun to practice growing vegetables, fruits, root crops and rice.

In Batak society, there are only three (3) social groups: the family, band and settlements. Traditional leadership is found in the band. They have a chief called "kapitan" an elder chosen by the adult members based on leadership qualities and hunting or fighting skills. They also have a "masikampo" for each settlement elected from and by the group of elders based on expertise in customary laws. Social control and justice are handled by these leaders. However, since the national government instituted the barangay system of local government, complications and conflicts have arisen in duties and functions. This is because matters related to cultural preservation, protection of rights, and their ancestral domain have been placed under the jurisdiction of government agencies concerned with the Batak.

During the past three decades, the Palawan Batak Negrito population and culture were critically influenced and affected by contact with the outsiders. There has been a continuing influx of settlers into the Batak area. Capitalists and politicians were also able to open the mountains of northern Palawan to logging operations. This has brought changes in customary attitudes and ways of some members of their group. Much of the Batak traditional culture is lost.

In addition, because of their very poor situation, they suffer from malnutrition and are severely affected by diseases. These factors have caused the Palawan Batak Negrito population to progressively decrease. This group is now considered as one of the "vanishing cultural minorities" in the country.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Batak are an animistic group. They believe in nature spirits—good and bad, who dwell in trees, rocks and mountains. They fear and avoid these spirits. When favorable things happen, they feel indebted or obliged to be grateful to the spirits. They perform various rituals and ceremonies to maintain links between them and the world of spirits or gods. The babaylan functions as both medium and shaman.

What Are Their Needs?

The Palawan Batak Negrito community needs freedom from the fear of the spirits through the liberating power of the Lord Jesus.

Being considered one of the "vanishing minorities", there is a great need for Christian holistic ministries to preserve them. If they vanish, may they vanish into eternity with the Lord Jesus!

Prayer Points

Pray that Tagbanua believers (who live close to the Batak) reach this people for God.
Pray for the Holy Spirit to bring them healings, both physical and spiritual, that will draw them to the Lord of lords.
Pray for a soon coming time when there will be Palawan Batak Negrito disciples making disciples of many others.

Text Source:   Joshua Project