Waray people

Warai/Waray-Waray

Total population
3.2 million (4.05% of the Philippine population)
Regions with significant populations
Philippines (Leyte, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Samar, Biliran, some parts of Masbate, Southern Leyte, Surigao del Norte and Sorsogon, Metro Manila) United States Canada Japan Germany elsewhere
Languages
Waray-Waray, also fluent speakers of Cebuano
Related ethnic groups
Cebuano

The Waray are an ethno-liguistic group of people geographically inhabiting in the islands of Samar, Leyte and Biliran - commonly referred to as the Eastern Visayas region of the Philippines. The Waray, speak their native language called Waray-Waray. Waray people inhabit in the whole island of Samar and they are called Samareños while in the island of Leyte they are called Leyteños. In Leyte island, Waray people occupy only in the northern part of the island as it is divided by a mountain range in the middle of the island. Hence, the language division between the Waray-Waray speaking people in the northern part and the Cebuano speaking people in the southern part. In the island of Biliran, Waray-Waray speaking people lives on the eastern part of the island facing the island of Samar. They are commonly referred in Waray-Waray term as Biliranon. In the island of Ticao which belongs to the province of Masbate in the Bicol region, Waray-Waray speaking people lives in most parts of the island. They are commonly referred to as Ticaonon. However, the Ticaonon have their affinity with the Bicolano speaking people of Masbate island as it is their home province. Bicol and Waray-Waray languages have a lot of similarities in vocabularies as compared to Cebuano language.

Area

The Waray-Waray form the majority in the provinces of Samar, Northern Samar, and Eastern Samar, while they form a significant population in Leyte and Sorsogon.

Religion

The Waray people are one of the most religious people in the Philippines. Almost all of them belong to Roman Catholicism, the world's largest Christian denomination. Their religious devotion is very evident in their celebrations like feasts honoring their patron saints, Santacruzans and many more.

Language

The Waray people speak the Waray-Waray language, a major Visayan language. Some people who are of Waray descent also speak Waray-Waray as their second or third language, especially among emigrants to Metro Manila, other parts of the Philippines and in other parts of the world. Other notable foreign languages spoken include Spanish, Chinese and Japanese which is spoken by its community and among others

Traditions

Many Warai traditions can be traced to pre-colonial times. For example, the Kuratsa dance is a very popular traditional dance of the Waray-Waray at many social gatherings, especially weddings. It is very common throughout Samar. The couple who dances the Kuratsa are showered with money by the people around them. The belief is that the more money showered upon them, the more blessings will come their way.

Universities

Tacloban City in Leyte is home to a campus of the University of the Philippines. Leyte Normal University is also located in Tacloban. There are numerous state universities serving the community, including Eastern Visayas State University, Eastern Samar State University, and the largest both in terms of land area and curricular offerings in the whole region, the University of Eastern Philippines located in Catarman, Northern Samar. There are also Universities in Western Samar like Samar State University which is the first University in the province, St. Mary's College of Catbalogan, formerly Sacred Heart College and Samar College. Northwest Samar State University, formerly Tiburcio Tancinco Memorial Institute of Science and Technology and Samar State Collge of Agriculture and Forestry, offer courses that are needed in technology and business community.

Perceptions in other parts of the Philippines

The Waray-Waray are often stereotyped as brave warriors, as popularized in the phrase, "basta ang Waray, hindi uurong sa away" (Waray never back down from a fight.) They are even known as contented people, such that, during the Spanish era, they were often called lazy, due to their sense of contentment, of living in simplicity as farmers, and for making tuba from coconut nectar.

Warays are also known for their love of music, one form of which is the Kuratsa, a courtship dance, with music based on native and Hispanic influences; some local artists tend to create Waray versions of popular songs, such as "An Bahal nga Tuba" which was based on a Mexican song.

Crops

The most important crop and major source of income for many is the coconut. Other major agricultural products include rice and corn, while sugarcane, abaca, and tobacco are also grown. Cassava and camote (yam) are grown as supplementary staple crops. Pineapple, banana, mangoes, and other fruit are grown year round, as are many vegetables and peanuts. In Eastern Samar, a root crop known as palawan is grown. It is not common outside of that area. Leyte is a big producer of bananas.

Farming/Fishing

Farming and fishing provide much of the livelihood of the Waray-Waray. There is an impressive variety of seafood available.

Native Wines

Native wines are produced in the area, as in many places in the Philippines. The most common of these wines are tuba, extracted from the coconut palm, and pangasi, made from fermented rice.

Famous Warays

• Boy Abunda
• Former First Lady of the Philippines Imelda Marcos
• Norberto Romualdez
• Juan Ponce Sumuroy
• Speaker Daniel Romualdez
• Tom Mott
• Ricky Lo
• K Brosas
• Tessie Tomas
• Kareen Kae Naputo - Kabit ni Uly