Ivatan

The Ivatan are an indigenous Austronesian ethnolinguistic group native to the Batanes Islands, the northernmost province of the Philippines. They form the core of the population in Batanes, with communities on Batan, Itbayat, Sabtang and surrounding islets.

The Ivatan language, part of the Northern Luzon branch of the Austronesian family, has several dialects, including Basco Ivatan and Itbayat Ivatan. Most Ivatan are bilingual, commonly speaking Filipino or English in addition to their native language.

Culturally, the Ivatan have adapted to a typhoon-prone environment. A distinctive feature is their stone houses with thick limestone walls and thatched roofs, designed to endure strong winds. Traditional livelihoods center on farming and fishing, with crops such as rice and various root crops cultivated in the local environments, complemented by maritime activities. Craft traditions, including weaving and mat making, are also practiced by some communities.

Religiously, the majority of Ivatan people are Roman Catholic, a legacy of Spanish colonial influence. While Catholicism is predominant, elements of traditional belief and ancestral practices persist in some communities, contributing to a layered religious landscape.

Historically, the Ivatan are believed to have inhabited Batanes long before extensive European contact, developing a culture shaped by maritime activity and island isolation. Spanish colonization introduced Christianity and administrative changes, and the province’s geographic separation helped preserve many aspects of Ivatan language and culture.