Culture The name means "the people who live upriver". They are also considered to belong to the Manobo group. They stand out among the others because of their sharp Spanish features. They are generally good looking and known to be peace-loving and honorable people. The "Christianized" portion of the Mandayas are considered to be the original "Dabawenos".
Their house is a poorly constructed one-room hut. Clothes and tools can be found hanging from the rafters. They lavishly use gold as adornments. The design depicts the people's folklore. Children are matched for marriage by their parents quite young. Men are allowed to have more than one wife but the women must have only one husband. A "bagani" (datu) with his "Likid" (advisory council) heads the tribe. An adjutant is tasked to make the announcements and summons.
Economy Like other tribes they also rely on Kaingin/slash and burn farming for livelihood.
Politics They are not politically cohesive and have integrated much with the non-tribal people.
Religion They celebrate festivals to invite "diwatas" or spirits and ask for good health and healing for those who are sick. They use an assortment of bamboo musical instruments. The dead are buried with the coffin upright along with some food for the "journey".
Their religion is animistic, believing in anitos, but they consider "Magbabayo" (God) as the Supreme Being. A festival for Tagbanwa (the owner of the land) is made every harvest season for thanksgiving. A carved image of this deity can also be found in their homes. Women priestesses (Bailans) mediate during the rituals.
Christianity Missionary activity started way back in the sixteenth century by the Jesuits and Augustinian Recollects. Many Mandayas in the Caraga Region were baptized. However, observers say that even "Christianized" Mandayas still adhere to their pagan ways.
Prayer Points 1. That church planters receive adequate and regular support (around US$50 monthly.)
2. For effective community development projects that will empower the poor to afford and have access to basic services.
3. That livelihood enhancement programs be introduced that are economically viable and technically feasible.
4. That scripture and the Jesus Film be made available in their language and in audio/video formats.
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Significant effort is made to match photos with people groups. In most cases the photo source has identified the people group. However, in some instances when the exact people group is not identified Joshua Project has made educated attempts at matching. As a result some photos may be representative of the people cluster rather than the specific people group. Mismatches are the fault of Joshua Project, not the photographer. Please contact us if you believe a photo is not matched with the correct people group.
Percentages may be printed as '0.00%' because of space limitations, but some are slightly greater than zero.
The exactness of the above numbers can be misleading. Numbers can vary by several percentage points or more.
People group population figures are now maintained as a percentage of the national population. Click here for details.
Joshua Project does not have specific ministry activity data supporting the "Other Progress Indicators."
Discrepancies may exist between "Other Progress Indicators" because of the varying sources of information.
Joshua Project does not know the exact content of web audio recordings. In general they are Bible reading and teaching.
As on-site realities are understood, barriers of acceptance may be found in many of the larger people groups that will require multiple distinct church planting efforts.
This data may contain errors and needs continual correcting and updating. Click here to send feedback.
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