Dumagat

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http://en.wikipilipinas.org/index.php?title=Dumagat

The term Dumagat may have been derived from the word gubat(forest) and hubad. The
more logical origin of its name is taga-dagat which referred to "sea gypsies".They typify
the outstanding negrito physical traits of dark brown to black color and curly hair. The
few cases of straight hair and light complexion may be chiefly the result of mixture with
lowland Christians.

Culture

The Dumagat people are of the Agta Negrito groups found in Luzon. In the past, these
people lived in coastal areas of Aurora and Quezon provinces and were lords in their own
domain. However, because of the coming of Filipino homesteaders into the Agta area
they were pushed into the mountains, and dispersed in small groups.

Dumagats are semi-nomadic. They move from place to place in search of better
habitation. Recently, they have learned to live permanent settlements. They are reported
found scattered in different locations. They are also divided into six languages.
The Kabulowan are one of the subgroups of the Dumagat (also known as '"Baluga").

Dumagat families are generally simple nuclear family. They live in extended family
groupings. If conflicts arise among themselves, they just move away.

In the past, men wore a cloth of g-string and the women wore wrap around skirts. Now,
they wear used, machine sewed lowland clothes.

Economy

Economically, they are very poor. Their livelihood ranges from hunting and gathering to
having gardens and raising coconuts. These days, hunting and gathering are greatly
reduced due to depletion of forest resources caused by logging operations. Many of them
now work as unskilled laborers for lowland farmers near their location. Most Dumagats
are tied into a patron-client relationship with one or more lowlander families. In this
relationship, the Dumagats gather rattan and trade it with the lowlander or they work for
the lowlander. In turn, the lowlander gives them rice, tobacco, money, or other items. In
many cases, Dumagats are abused, oppressed and are always on the losing end. Most of
them are unable to determine the fair equivalent of goods being exchanged or services
rendered. They depend on their relationship for their daily ration of food.

Politics

Within their culture, much of the behavior is governed by rules between types of
kinsmen. The family itself is the organization that undertakes all roles. Their social
control system is unstructured. If conflicts arise, they just move away some old people.

Religion

The Dumagats are animist. Practices and beliefs differ from person to person. Dumagat
animism has less control over the people's daily lives. In addition, they have adopted
some of the beliefs of their Christian neighbors. Now, they hold to a universal belief in a
single God, maybe a result of Christian influence. Cultish groups are also working in the
area.

Christianity

There has been a lot of mission work done in each of these Dumagat language groups.

• Prayer points

1. Translated Scriptures. Pray for a wide distribution of the Dumagat bible portions
to open the hearts of the Dumagats.
2. Pray that the Aeta believers as well as the Dumagat believers will take the
responsibility to go ahead in the Christian groups with preaching and teaching the
gospel - to reach other Negritos.
3. Praise God for the fruit of the faithful missionary efforts. Praise God for the
Dumagat believers. Pray that the Holy Spirit will make them grow and remain in
the Lord even after the missionaries have left.
4. Praise God for community aid projects done for the Dumagats. Praise God also
that some of them have learned to live in permanent settlements facilitated by
concerned groups. However, many agencies were unsuccessful in their attempts to
help settle the Dumagats because their ways and means conflict with the Dumagat
values and social organization. Pray that if anyone who wishes to help the
Dumagats, assistance be given in a way that agrees with the values and present
limitations of the Dumagat culture.
5. The future of the Dumagats looks bleak. Serious problems include drunkenness,
chronic malnutrition, decimation of wild game, loss of land to lowland
homesteaders and probably ethnic disintegration. Pray that God will show mercy
to these people, providing help to meet their needs.