Presented By:

Michell Pearl Malones

Hanniah Morohomsalic

 The word "Iraya" is derived from the prefix "i" - denoting

people, and "raya", a variation of "laya" which means "upstream," "upriver" or "upland" The Iraya is one of the six of the indigenous cultural communities inhabiting the highlands of Mindoro and these six groups are collectively referred to as the Mangyans They live in the beaches of Puerto Galera, San Teodoro and Baco in Oriental Mindoro. However, most of them live in Occidental Mindoro, in the towns of Mamburao, Sta. Cruz, Abra de Ilog and Paluan. The estimated population of the Iraya-Mangyan is 10, 689 distributed around 141 settlements in the Municipalities of Abra de Ilog, Mamburao and Paluan.

 Swidden Agriculture- It is an important activity with

numerous crops following one after the other. Most of them rely on planting rice, corn, vegetables corn and rice; beans, sweet potatoes, yams, taro, sugar cane. Many varieties of taro, yam and sweet potato are grown, and also maize, Lima bean, manioc, banana, marrow, sugar cane, intercropping different species in different parts of the field The first to be planted are yam and taro, then mountain rice with maize and pulses ; then comes the weeding, an arduous but necessary task to ensure a good harvest ; after the rice harvest, manioc and sweet potato are planted

 Domestic animals

-The Iraya breed wild fowl, used as decoys, and pigs -During periods of heavy rain the fields cannot be burnt ;
animals then become the only food resource

Fishing
The Iraya fish 31 known species, among which 5 of eel, 5 of shrimp, and 9 species of shellfish are collected -It is very important during the dry season when the lower water levels allow for daily fishing, thus providing an important supplement to daily diet.

Seasonal fruit picking -They collect Canarium luzonicum nuts and the Artocarpus odoratissima fruit with its juicy pulp and floury seeds that can be roasted

Iraya Handicrafts
among the Mangyan tribes, the Iraya Mangyans are the most creative in the lot. At the festival, handicrafts were up on sale. There were jars, plates, bags, containers and bracelets as well. They were solid and very intricate in design. The Mangyans however are not fit for mass production of handicraft goods since they only make them when they are in the mood which the locals sid are in their inspired and dreamy state. So each crafts they make are unique. I bought a few containers and bracelets since they are sold quite high in price in Manila.

 Clothing males wear bahag or loincloth fashioned from a tree bark, the kaitong or belt, and the talawak or headband. The females wear the tapis or skirtlike covering made from bark, the lingob or belt, and the sagpan or pamanpan to cover the breast They wear necklaces called kudyasan, made from tigbi seeds, and the panalingnaw or earrings Their ancient clothing is exactly the same as that of the Hanunoos. Today, most of the Irayas wear a civilized outfit.

Mangyan House
. Dwellings are close

to the swidden plots and move with the seasonal monsoon rains (heavy rains).
traditionally live in

hamlets made up of a few houses scattered over the swidden area

. A house made up of

coconut leaves, bamboo, tree for its pillar, and other materials.

 Religious beliefs and practices Since the Irayas are swidden farmers, their spiritual beliefs are related to their means of livelihood. Agricultural rites suggest the importance of farming and the belief in spiritual beings or forces that can influence a good harvest. Community the family is considered as the basic unit of production and consumption. The nuclear family is referred to us talnakan wherein their already exists a social order. The eldest takes the place of the parents during their absence and is one considered the second parent. He/she is likewise considered the intermediary between the parents and the younger siblings. The family is a very strong and important institution among the Iraya. Relationship within the family is observed to be very close and harmonious. Children show their high respect for their parents and elders, in return, receiving much love and affection.

 Authority

- Among the Iraya, leadership is provided by the puonbalayan, in the local group referred to as sanguraan composed of closely related families. - Moral and legal problems are referred to the puonbalayan for decision. Any criminal act or offense done is corrected with the use of either the pangaw or tige. - Pangaw is the Iraya's version of the detention cell. Tige on the other hand is a punishment wherein the suspects of a particular offense are called and are ordered to immerse their right hand in a pot of boiling water to pick up the white stone at the bottom of the pot. Anyone of the susupects whose right hand gets burned is considered to be the guilty party. It is believed that the innocent parties will not get burned in this particular test because Apo Iraya will protect them from harm.

 the informal and indigenous learning system-

provided by the traditional sources like their household enable them to acquire knowledge, skills, attitude, norms and belief that comprise the different aspect of Iraya culture as interpreted by the source the formal education -provided by public schools and church run schools.

Their native dances and songs performed by the Mangyan students was culturally enriching. Most of them are garbed similarly to how the ancient Mangyans are garbed blouses, skirts and loin clothes weaved from cottons made by pounding dry tree barks. The Mangyan native dances mimics their daily life of harvest and thanking the spirits for their bounty. A large number of Mangyans still embraces their Animism roots while a small portion are already converted to Christianity.

 Mangagamot (healer) is also known as Marayaw, Iraya

term for shaman. Performs tawas or Divination Yam (Dioscorea spp.)- female problems and to relieve the pain of child birth Red tannia (Xanthosoma violaceum)
Canarium luzonicum- Arthritis and rheumatism.
Others used it for burns and sores.

Betel Nut
Areca catechu
preparing betel nut for chewing, upland people mix it with apog, or lime powder, before wrapping in a litlit leaf. While chewing, heat spreads throughout the body, keeping it momentarily warm in the upland chill. The apog gives the betel juice its red coloring when chewed