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To give a sample of all the various aspects of the home life within a Mangyan settlement would be next to impossible. However, an attempt to draw a general outline will be undertaken here. Two great themes can be considered of importance in the life-cycle of a Mangyan: 1) His struggle for life in and around his house, to keep hunger and sickness away; and, 2) His unbelievable ability to relax, be happy and unconcerned, often by escaping from his immediate surroundings.

What does a Mangyan home look like? His house is not as important as a house is to his countrymen of modern culture. A Mangyan will be the first to admit that his house is of poor construction and just a temporary dwelling.

1. Magkunkuno ti tawo

2. Kang di nga liyo duyan

3. Kang di nga agwad sangdan

4. Urog kanmo pag-uman

5. Kawo taga-baybayan

6. Nakan taga-baybayan

7. Magbat-angan rangiran

8. Magsalog tinapian

9. Kami taga-indungan

10. Nakan taga-indungan

11. Mi dinman misugalyan

12. Salog patay aynayan

13. Atpan pudo garaban

14. Tagik pudo inwagan

15. Dapat kang di nga duyan

16. Ka ud aw magdamguhan

17. Sag-uban bala-uyan

18. Taasan kurokod wan

19. Marumpauy batyagan

Says the Mangyan from the woods:

What I like to say to you,

an expression of my thoughts,

your condition is not bad,

you, a man from the lowlands!

Because when you are from there,

all your house beams are the best

and the flooring square-cut wood.

But we, from the mountain slopes,

because we are living here

our ways are not like yours

The floor: flattened bamboo strips.

The roof: made of kogon grass,

And the ties are made of vines.

But this I have still to add:

please, don't forget that we live

at the water source, high up,

where the birds are used to drink,

a poor place and hard to stay!

Introduction to Ambahan
Origin of Ambahan
Ambahan and Its Uses
Birth and Infancy
Childhood
Adolescence
Courtship
Home
Problems
Sickness
Food and work
Traveling
Hospitality and Friendship
Marriage
Old Age
Death


©Copyright Mangyan Heritage Center 2008©