lumad

Lumad is a Philippine term used to refer to the indigenous peoples of Mindanao who are not primarily associated with Christianity or Islam. It is an umbrella label for dozens of ethnolinguistic groups, not a single ethnicity. Many communities prefer to identify by their own names, such as Manobo, Higaonon, Talaandig, Bagobo, Subanen, Blaan, Mamanwa, and others. Despite the shared geographic region, Lumad groups have diverse languages, cultures, and social structures, though many maintain customary laws and traditional governance alongside modern political systems.

Geographically, Lumad communities are concentrated in Mindanao’s mountains, highlands, plateaus, and coastal areas, spanning regions including Davao, Caraga, Northern Mindanao, Zamboanga Peninsula, and Soccsksargen. While each group has its own cultural practices and social organization, common elements include varied traditional livelihoods such as farming, hunting, and fishing, with ongoing efforts to preserve languages and cultural heritage amid changing circumstances.

Legal framework and contemporary issues are shaped by the Indigenous Peoples' Rights Act (IPRA) of 1997, which provides mechanisms for recognizing ancestral domains and self-governance through Certificates of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT) and related rights. Despite this framework, land and resource disputes persist due to mining, logging, agribusiness, and infrastructure development. Lumad communities have also faced militarization, displacement, and violence in some areas, prompting advocacy from human rights and indigenous-rights organizations. Education has included community-based programs and Lumad schools supported by NGOs, aiming to preserve languages and cultures while addressing development needs.