Kalagan people

The Kagan people (also spelled as Kaagan, Kalagan), are the ethnic group of the southeastern part of the Philippines known as Davao Region. They are one of the Muslim minority groups in Mindanao and belong to the 13 Muslim Moro tribes of the Bangsamoro family. They are thought to be one of the various groups of lowland Filipinos who came to the islands from Asia's southwestern mainland several thousand years ago.

The Kagans are the people living in the river keys and coastline of the Davao Gulf and believed to be mainly of the Kalagan Tagakaolo branch. They have been Islamised since the 15th century through intermarriage and through contacts with their close neighbours, the Maguindanao and the Tausugs.

Etymology

Kagan came from the word kaag which means to inform, to secure or secrecy. It is a native word used by the tribe earlier when they have to inform the people in the tribe and also on their neighbouring tribes, the Mandayas and Mansakas about something happen since they are living in the river keys and coastal areas of Davao. The other term also is Ka – allagan which means shining light referring from to the sun due as they are believed to be more advanced in lifestyle and society than their neighbouring tribes which live on the highlands of the mountains of Davao.

History

Pre-Islamic era

The Kagans lived in the communities called Banwa. They're Banwas are usually located in the rivers and the river keys of the Davao. Each Banwa has its own leader called "Datu". The Datu is usually a man with a strong political and physical leadership among the community folks.

Before the Islam came in the Mindanao, Philippines early Kagans is believed to be an animist and they believed that there is a one supreme God called Tagallang" means "Creator". They also believe that all of nature like trees, stone, mountains, river and ocean has a spirit they called maguya and they respect it by performing ceremonial rituals as a sign of respect. The ones who performs the rituals are priests called balyans which means shaman or healer or the one who can contact the spirits by asking cure for the sick, for the guidance and security of the tribe, and even fortune-telling. The balyans may either be a man or woman, and they are specialized in contacting the spiritual realm. Same as Mandayas, they contacting the spiritual realm by performing a kulintang and a ritual dance holding a "Kasag", a native shield with bells surrounding it and while the balyans are dancing, the bells creating a sound as an activation of the spirits to enter the body of the balyan.

Islamic era

It is believed that Kagans were Islamized due the efforts of the Muslim missionaries from their neighbouring tribes the Maguindanaon and Tausugs in the western Mindanao on the 15th century. They are either intermarriages and sharing the culture to the Kagans and bring the 4 Korans to them for the guidance of the faith. These 4 Korans still exist until today owned by prominent families of the tribe. They follow the traditional Sunni Shafié of Islam, however many of them remained animist and believe the traditions and religions of their ancestors, practicing a mix of Islam and Animism in their Adat.

Language

The Kagan language called "Kinagan" is the native language of the tribe. It is related to the Mandayan language as well as Maguindanaon, Tausug, Tagalog and Visayan language. Kinagan is also related to Indonesian which some of the words are similar to the Bahasa language. Other words are also influenced by the Arabic language. The Kagan are also known as multi-lingual people since they can speak 3 or more languages used in communication to their neighbouring tribes.

Their lives and their culture

The Kagans are self-sufficient farmers, producing nearly all of their own food. Wet-rice is grown in the lowlands, and dry-rice and corn are farmed in the upland areas. Yams and sweet potatoes are also staple crops. Vegetables such as tomatoes, squash, and beans are grown; coconuts abound and many kinds of fruit are available. Goats are raised for meat, and chickens are raised for both eggs and meat. In addition to farming, the Kagans catch fish and obtain wild foods and other various materials from the marshes around them.

Those of highest rank in their society do not perform manual labor. Among the rest of the population, male/female division of labor is not very pronounced. Generally, men do the plowing, tilling, and other heavy farm work. The women do most of the domestic work, often assisted by their older children.

The Kagan Art is confined mostly to weaving, basket making, and producing certain ornaments. Personal adornment in the form of bright clothing, beaded jewelry, and other accessories is distinctive and colorful. On special occasions, graceful dances are performed to the rhythmic music of gongs and other instruments.

The Kagan social structure is unusual because it is modified by a system of social rank, certain rules of descent, and distinctive marriage patterns. For most purposes, social rank is less important than blood ties. Higher-ranking families maintain elaborate genealogies to prove their claims of descent.

There is a strong preference for marriage between related families, especially marriage to second cousins. After marriage, the couple usually resides in the husband's community. Today, however, many young couples form their own independent households.

Little research has been dedicated to this cultural group, according to the Philippines National Commission for Culture and the Arts. The total Kalagan population is estimated at 87,270 (1994). Historically, these were composed of small, warring groups.