Examining the Perpetuation of Mamanwa Indigenous Practices and Language among Third Generation Migrants
Abstract
Philippine Indigenous cultures and languages are experiencing a rapid decline. The role of education is pivotal, as it can either accelerate or assist to preserve this decline. This study examines the indigenous practices and language among third generation Mamanwa migrants in Southern Leyte. I employed a sequential exploratory mixed-methods design, central to which is ethnography. Findings indicate that Mamanwa culture is undergoing significant transformation, with the third generation abandoning many indigenous practices maintained by their parents. Although Minamanwa remains spoken within the community, increased interaction with the dominant group and participation in formal education have facilitated the inclusion of additional languages, including Cebuanong-Binisaya, English, and Filipino. Mamanwa children exhibit a competence in multilingualism, adjusting their language use according to context and interlocutor. Despite a generally positive attitude toward their language, some Minamanwa vocabulary has begun to significantly diminish as have heritage practices.
Keywords: Indigenous people, indigenous language, indigenous practices, Mamanwa, linguistic anthropology, multilingualism