Subanon

The Subanon, also spelled Subanen, are an indigenous ethnolinguistic group native to the Zamboanga Peninsula in the southern Philippines. They are concentrated in the provinces of Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, and Zamboanga Sibugay, with smaller communities in Misamis Occidental and nearby areas. Estimates place the Subanon population in the hundreds of thousands, making them one of the larger indigenous groups in Mindanao. They speak Subanen languages, part of the Austronesian language family, with several dialects such as Northern Subanen, Central Subanen, and Western Subanen; many Subanon are bilingual in Filipino/Tagalog and Cebuano.

Traditional social organization centers on kin-based communities governed by customary law. Leadership is typically familial and elder-led, with community councils addressing local matters.

Economic life historically based on swidden agriculture (slash-and-burn), root crops, rice, fishing, and forest resources. Weaving and beadwork are important crafts; many Subanon communities maintain a rich oral tradition and perform dances and music during rites.

Religion reflects a syncretism of Catholic Christianity and indigenous beliefs. Missionaries introduced Christianity in the Spanish era; today many Subanon are Roman Catholic or Protestant, while some continue ancestral rites and practices dedicated to spirits and ancestors.

Legal recognition: Under the Indigenous Peoples' Rights Act of 1997 (IPRA), Subanon communities pursue recognition of ancestral domains; several CADTs have been established, enabling land rights and self-governance within defined areas.