tungimatut

Tungimatut is a term used to refer to a concept originated in the Philippines.

The word is derived from the Cebuano language, in which "tungit" means "sand" and "matut" means "left" or "past". It is often translated to mean "the place left behind" or "the back part".

Tungimatut refers to a geographical area or location situated to the rear or backside of a settlement, a town, or a community. This concept was of significance to the pre-colonial Filipino community, who constructed their villages and communities in a way that prioritized accessibility to the sea and most fertile agricultural lands.

The rear or back part of a settlement referred to in tungimatut would typically include marginal areas such as swamps, marshlands, and beaches, which were less desirable for living and agricultural purposes. However, despite their seemingly adverse conditions, these rear sections sometimes possessed natural resources like sources of fresh water, abundant supplies of firewood, and edges for fish nets and fishing traps.

Significance can also be attached to the historical and cultural context surrounding the use of tungimatut. In pre-colonial communities, social structures and power dynamics might also determine how certain sections of a village or town were arbitrarily allocated, with oversheltered lands belonging to ruling kin groups or foreign populations. While a generally accurate meaning can be gained from the words "tungimatut," understanding its historical and linguistic background presents a more nuanced understanding of what this term signified in a social and geographical context.