THE HISTORY OF “OBU MANUVU” TRIBE
One of the oldest tribe in Davao City. The “OBU” means the people and the
“MANUVU” means dialect. They are known for their fine weaponry, jewelry, and their main
livelihood are the cacao and vegetable farming. They are located in MARILOG District in Davao
City. The Manobo are several people groups who inhabit the island of Mindanao in the
Philippines. They speak one of the languages belonging to the Manobo language family. Their
origins can be traced back to the early Malay peoples who came from the surrounding islands of
Southeast Asia. Today, their common cultural language and Malay heritage help to keep them
connected. The Manobo cluster includes eight groups: the Cotabato Manobo, Agusan Manobo,
Dibabawon Manobo, Matig Salug Manobo, Sarangani Manobo, Manobo of Western Bukidnon,
Obo Manobo, and Tagabawa Manobo. The groups are often connected by name with either
political divisions or landforms. The Bukidnons, for example, are located in a province of the
same name. The Agusans, who live near the Agusan River Valley, are named according to their
location. The eight Manobo groups are all very similar, differing only in dialect and in some
aspects of culture. The distinctions have resulted from their geographical separation.
RELIGION
The religious beliefs of the Manobo revolve around the concept of many unseen spirits
interfering in the lives of humans. They believe that these spirits can intrude on human activities
to accomplish their desires. The spirits are also believed to have human characteristics. They are
both good and evil in nature and can be evoked to both anger and pleasure. Known for their
intricate casting, the Ubo fashion fine weaponry and jewelry that they believe possess souls,
making it harder for the maker to part with them. Like the Bagobo, the Ubo believe in multiple
deities headed by a central figure, Diwata (God); they're animist, they also believe in ancestral
spirits and unseen beings inhabiting the animate and inanimate objects found throughout their
environment. In civic matters, the political leader and Datu (Filipino chieftain) of the village
attains his position by virtue of wealth; speaking ability and knowledge of customary law, known
as fendan. The primary obligation consists of settling disputes among members of a family,
neighbors, and the community. When a fine is set and/or imposed by the Datu, the accused has to
pay it to the aggrieved party; if he's unable to, then he will become servant to the one who pays
for him, otherwise known as dok. Pelekumpas is the goddess of valley of dancing where plants
of gold make tinkling music and the soil is made of silver and gold. Music! too! is produce by
the soul6s dancing feet on the ground.
PRACTICES AND RITUALS
Agriculturally, they practice swidden, a slash-and-burn farming, oft planting and
harvesting rice, root crops, and vegetables for consumption. In times of calamities they will
asking for help to there God’s by praying. In marriage the family of the groom is required to pay
bride’s family called dowry. Brother and uncle perform the rite by knocking the bride’s and
groom’s head together. In burial the deceased relatives leave the body in his/her house then
abundant blessing they receive. They also allowed to have many wives as long as they have
enough money or they can support the needs of every individuals. They are not in favor of same
sex marriage or relationship because they believe that only men and women are God created.
SONGS,FOOD, AND DANCE
SONGS
To worship and do the rituals. Gong kulintang and drum commonly used instrument. By
playing these instrument they partner in a dance.
FOODS
The primary food of OBU is root crops such as: cassava, sweet potato, ube also
vegetables, corn, coffee, cacao, rice, fruits, and etc. they have also their especial recipe whiche
they called linukot composed of native chicken that place in bamboo then cook and pastel which
rolled in banana leaves.
PASTEL
LINUKOT
DANCE
Asik is a dance from the Maguindanao Tribe of Mindanao. There is much debate about
the popular belief that the Asik is a dance performed by a slave girl to win the favor of her sultan
master. However, some insist that Asik is a royal dance that started with a princess dancing it to
appease her sultan father. Whatever the real story is, the dance is beautiful. I was only able to
take a shot of the ones kneeling in front of me but the ones on the sides were dancing it upright. I
couldn't get a clear shot of those.
