Who Are the Mangyan?

The Mangyan are the indigenous peoples of Mindoro, an island in the southern part of Luzon in the Philippines. They are not a single homogeneous group but a collective name for several distinct ethnic communities that share certain cultural traits while maintaining their own languages, customs, and identities. Traditionally living in the upland and interior regions of Mindoro, the Mangyan have long practiced subsistence agriculture and maintained a close relationship with the land and forest.

Despite centuries of outside influence, the Mangyan have preserved many aspects of their ancestral culture, including oral traditions, ritual practices, and, in some groups, a unique written script. At the same time, they are navigating complex challenges brought by social change, modernization, and integration into the broader Philippine society.

The Eight Major Mangyan Groups

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