There is an ancient Manobo legend which tells of how a god created man to be immortal. The legend says that immortality was lost when a bird exchanged man's "life breath" for a mere peice of kemp string. For generations the Manobo have learned from childhood that no one has been raised to heaven. Still they hope to leave this world of poverty, sickness, hunger and death for the bliss of heaven. Today some villages are experiencing the joy of knowing Jesus who was raised to heaven by the power of the true and living God.
Ethnicity
There are about 25 tribal groups, linguistically grouped under the "Manobo" family.
Language
The Manobo have 24 main dialects. The following six groups are more closely related than others since their dialects are related. They include the Ata or Langilan Manobo, Talaingod, Matig-Salug, Tigwa, Dibabawon and Umayamnon.
Population
The population of the combined groups totals over 100,000.
Location
The island of Mindanao is the second largest of the Philippines archipelago with a land area of 36,505 square miles and the most recent of the major islands to be developed. It is often referred to as the "Land of Promise." The majority of the Manobo are located in the Central Mountains of the island and are seldom found in lowland towns except for going there to trade. Recently, however, many young people have made their way to the urban centers in search of work.
Culture
For hundreds of years these tribes roamed the valleys and mountains, doing slash-and-burn agriculture and having little or no contact with the outside world. From birth they have heard the oral traditions, myths and ballads, and have practiced the ways that made them distinctly Manobo - different from the lowland Filipino and neighboring tribal groups. Perhaps the strongest of their beliefs is that a person cannto leave the traditional spirits and ways and still be a true