Competition and Guardian Spirits: Musical Behaviour Among the Bukidnon of Mindanao, Philippines

The Bukidnon people are one of the animistic ethnic groups living in the north-eastern part of Mindanao, the second largest island in the southern Philippines. In the province of Bukidnon and in parts of the surrounding provinces, they inhabit the remote mountainous regions covered by rain forests. Subgroups of this people are known by the names Higaunen, Talaandig and Banuwaen. Their language which is called Binukid belongs to the Manobo family of languages which itself is part of the larger Austronesian family of languages. The Bukidnon still inhabit their traditional houses on piles made out of wood and bamboo. They cultivate corn, sweet potatoes, squash, beans, taro, coffee, and other useful plants in slash and burn agriculture. Besides that, men go hunting for wild pigs and birds.