The Karay-a are a Visayan ethnic group native to the islands of Panay and Palawan in the Philippines. They speak the Karay-a language ().

Etymology The ethnonym Karay-a was derived from the word iraya, which means "upstream". The term , literally "of Antique", is incorrectly used as a synonym of Karay-a; however, it properly refers to registered residents of the province of Antique irrespective of ethnicity.

Area

Antique Anini-y Tobias Fornier Hamtic San Jose Belison Sibalom San Remigio Patnongon Bugasong Valderrama Laua-an Barbaza Tibiao Culasi Sebaste Pandan Libertad Caluya

Iloilo Alimodian Leon San Miguel San Enrique Santa Barbara San Joaquin Bingawan Calinog Lambunao Passi City San Rafael Badiangan Janiuay Zarraga Cabatuan Maasin New Lucena Mina Pototan Tubungan Oton Dueñas Tigbauan Igbaras Guimbal Miag-ao Dingle

Capiz Tapaz Jamindan Dumarao Dumalag

Aklan Nabas Buruanga Malay Libacao Madalag Ibajay Tangalan Makato Malinao

Palawan Taytay Narra El Nido Cagayancillo

Occidental Mindoro San Jose Magsaysay

Demographics The Karay-a number 363,000 in 2010 . They were first believed to be the descendants of immigrants from Borneo, through the epic-myth of the "Ten Bornean Datus". Recent findings, however, revealed that the ancestors of the Karay-a are the Austronesian-speaking immigrants who came from South China during the Iron Age. They primarily speak Karay-a. Meanwhile, Hiligaynon, Tagalog, and English are used as second languages. Most are Christians. About 80% are Roman Catholics, and the rest are Protestants. Some people belonging to the Suludnon tribe, are animists. As of 2015, there are about 1,300,000 Karay-a speakers all over the country. About 45% from Antique province, 38% from Iloilo and 7% in Palawan.

Culture Most Karay-a engage in agriculture, as well as in cottage industries. Several towns in Antique have the distinction of producing quality ware ranging from salakot and sawali from Belison, bamboo-craft from San Jose, ceramics from Sibalom, pottery from Bandoja, Tibiao; mats from Pandan and Libertad; and loom-woven patadyong (barrel skirt) from Bagtason, Bugasong, the only one of its kind in the Visayas and well known throughout Panay. Music, such as courtship songs, wedding hymns, and funeral recitals, is well-developed, as it is with dance.

Indigenous Karay-a Religion

Immortals

Maka-ako: the supreme deity residing on the uppermost level of the cosmic universe's seven layersMagos, Alicia P. 1978. “The Ma-aram in a Kiniray-a Society.” Master’s thesis, University of the Philippines, Diliman. Alunsina: the mother goddess of the Hinilawod epic heroes; aided in the battle against SaragnayonJocano, F. L. (2000). Hinilawod. Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines : Punlad Research House Inc. Laonsina: a sky goddess and grandmother of Nagmalitung YawaCaballero, Federico “Tuohan,” Teresita “Abyaran” Caballero-Castor, and Alicia P. Magos. 2014. Tikum Kadlum. Sugidanon (Epics) of Panay Series. Quezon City: University of the Philippines Press. Unnamed Sky God: a sky god who prevented Balanakon from traveling to Labaw Donggon's territoryCaballero, Federico “Tuohan,” Teresita “Abyaran” Caballero-Castor, and Alicia P. Magos. 2014. Tikum Kadlum. Sugidanon (Epics) of Panay Series. Quezon City: University of the Philippines Press. Tagna-an: the creator god and a busalian shaman; the most powerful and versatile of all ma-aram shamansMagos, Alicia P. 1978. “The Ma-aram in a Kiniray-a Society.” Master’s thesis, University of the Philippines, Diliman. Hugna-an: the first man; a ma-aram shaman and child of Tagna-anMagos, Alicia P. 1978. “The Ma-aram in a Kiniray-a Society.” Master’s thesis, University of the Philippines, Diliman. Humihinahon: the first woman; a ma-aram shaman and child of Tagna-anMagos, Alicia P. 1978. “The Ma-aram in a Kiniray-a Society.” Master’s thesis, University of the Philippines, Diliman. Kapapu-an: the pantheon of ancestral spirits from whom the supernatural powers of shamans originated from; their aid enables specific types of shamans to gush water from rocks, leap far distances, create oil shields, become invisible, or pass through solid matterMagos, Alicia P. 1978. “The Ma-aram in a Kiniray-a Society.” Master’s thesis, University of the Philippines, Diliman. Papu Estrella Bangotbanwa: a deified shaman who controlled the forces of natureMagos, Alicia P. 1978. “The Ma-aram in a Kiniray-a Society.” Master’s thesis, University of the Philippines, Diliman. Sidapa: god who establishes a person's lifespan through a very tall tree on Mount Madia-asLoarca, Miguel de. (1582) 1903. Relation of the Filipinas Islands. In Blair and Robertson, The Philippine Islands 5. Pandaque: god who allows the souls of the dead to enter Mount Madya-as, the home of the dead, if a proper mag-anito ritual is heldLoarca, Miguel de. (1582) 1903. Relation of the Filipinas Islands. In Blair and Robertson, The Philippine Islands 5. Simuran: a god who takes the souls to the lower regionsLoarca, Miguel de. (1582) 1903. Relation of the Filipinas Islands. In Blair and Robertson, The Philippine Islands 5. Siginarugan: a god who takes the souls to the lower regionsLoarca, Miguel de. (1582) 1903. Relation of the Filipinas Islands. In Blair and Robertson, The Philippine Islands 5. Bangle: carries the non-liquefied soul across the water; the way he carries the soul differs depending on the soul's answers to his questionsMuyco, Maria Christine M. 2008. “Sibod in Binanog: Understanding the Binanog Tradition of the Panay Bukidnon in Western Visayas.” PhD diss., University of the Philippines. Bagubu: deity of the stream which follows after the crossing with BangleMuyco, Maria Christine M. 2008. “Sibod in Binanog: Understanding the Binanog Tradition of the Panay Bukidnon in Western Visayas.” PhD diss., University of the Philippines.

Mortals

Labaw Donggon: an epic hero who journeyed to many landsJocano, F. L. (2000). Hinilawod. Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines : Punlad Research House Inc. Gimbitinan: a wife of Labaw Donggon; mother of the hero Asu ManggaJocano, F. L. (2000). Hinilawod. Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines : Punlad Research House Inc. Anggoy Doronoon: a wife of Labaw Donggon; mother of the hero Buyung BaranugunJocano, F. L. (2000). Hinilawod. Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines : Punlad Research House Inc. Yawa Sinagmaling: the wife of the lord, Saragnayon; Labaw Donggon fell in love with her, leading to the battle between Labaw Donggon and SaragnayonJocano, F. L. (2000). Hinilawod. Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines : Punlad Research House Inc. Saragnayon: husband of Yawa Sinagmaling; became a mortal after the wild boar which safeguards his immortality was defeatedJocano, F. L. (2000). Hinilawod. Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines : Punlad Research House Inc. Asu Mangga: hero son of Gimbitinan and Labaw Donggon; fought Saragnayon for the release of his fatherJocano, F. L. (2000). Hinilawod. Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines : Punlad Research House Inc. Buyung Baranugun: hero son of Anggoy Doronoon and Labaw Donggon; fought Saragnayon for the release of his fatherJocano, F. L. (2000). Hinilawod. Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines : Punlad Research House Inc. Humadapnon: an epic hero; brother of Labaw Donggon and husband of Nagmalitung Yawa;Jocano, F. L. (2000). Hinilawod. Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines : Punlad Research House Inc. aided by an enchanted tree and three messengers birds in the courting of Nagmaliyung YawaCaballero, Federico “Tuohan,” Teresita “Abyaran” Caballero-Castor, and Alicia P. Magos. 2014. Tikum Kadlum. Sugidanon (Epics) of Panay Series. Quezon City: University of the Philippines Press. Nagmalitung Yawa: a powerful binukot who rescued her husband by transforming herself into a man named Buyung Sunmasakay;Jocano, F. L. (2000). Hinilawod. Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines : Punlad Research House Inc. defeated the thousand army in Tarangban; when her mother Matan-ayon was in old age, a ritual was conducted where Nagmalitung Yawa found out about Humadapnon's promiscuity; Matan-ayon's powers were transferred to her, and she ascended into heaven with the aid of her grandmother LaonsinaCaballero, Federico “Tuohan,” Teresita “Abyaran” Caballero-Castor, and Alicia P. Magos. 2014. Tikum Kadlum. Sugidanon (Epics) of Panay Series. Quezon City: University of the Philippines Press. Malubay Hanginon: a powerful binukot who captured and imprisoned by Humadapnon; defeated by Nagmalitung Yawa under her male formJocano, F. L. (2000). Hinilawod. Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines : Punlad Research House Inc. Paglambuhan: a warrior who was keeping the Timpara Alimuon sacred boat in his fortress; defeated by Nagmalitung Yawa, Humadapnon, and DumalapdapJocano, F. L. (2000). Hinilawod. Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines : Punlad Research House Inc. Matan-ayon: mother of Nagmalitung Yawa; thinking that Humadapnon has died, makes Nagmalitung Yawa pregnant to compel to her marriage with the revived Paglambuhan; Humadapnon later kills the couple, but is reunited with the revived Nagmalitung Yawa;Jocano, F. L. (2000). Hinilawod. Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines : Punlad Research House Inc. in the Sugidanon epic, she married the reluctant Labaw DonggonCaballero, Federico “Tuohan,” Teresita “Abyaran” Caballero-Castor, and Alicia P. Magos. 2014. Tikum Kadlum. Sugidanon (Epics) of Panay Series. Quezon City: University of the Philippines Press. Dumalapdap: an epic hero; brother of Labaw DonggonJocano, F. L. (2000). Hinilawod. Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines : Punlad Research House Inc. Tikim Kadlum: an enchanted dog that rouses the ire of the monster MakabagtingCaballero, Federico “Tuohan,” Teresita “Abyaran” Caballero-Castor, and Alicia P. Magos. 2014. Tikum Kadlum. Sugidanon (Epics) of Panay Series. Quezon City: University of the Philippines Press. Datu Paiburong: owner of Tikim KadlumCaballero, Federico “Tuohan,” Teresita “Abyaran” Caballero-Castor, and Alicia P. Magos. 2014. Tikum Kadlum. Sugidanon (Epics) of Panay Series. Quezon City: University of the Philippines Press. Amburukay: married to Labaw Donggon after she consented her golden pubic hair to be used in Labaw Donggon's kudyapiCaballero, Federico “Tuohan,” Teresita “Abyaran” Caballero-Castor, and Alicia P. Magos. 2014. Tikum Kadlum. Sugidanon (Epics) of Panay Series. Quezon City: University of the Philippines Press. Pahagunon: an underworld being who abducts one of Labaw Donggon's wife, AyonCaballero, Federico “Tuohan,” Teresita “Abyaran” Caballero-Castor, and Alicia P. Magos. 2014. Tikum Kadlum. Sugidanon (Epics) of Panay Series. Quezon City: University of the Philippines Press. Ayon: abducted by Pahagunon after Labaw Donggon transformed into a sea turtleCaballero, Federico “Tuohan,” Teresita “Abyaran” Caballero-Castor, and Alicia P. Magos. 2014. Tikum Kadlum. Sugidanon (Epics) of Panay Series. Quezon City: University of the Philippines Press. Giant Crab Master: a master who has a giant crab follower, who aids in the abduction of one of Labaw Donggon's wives; his loyal crab can transform into an island with betel-nut treesCaballero, Federico “Tuohan,” Teresita “Abyaran” Caballero-Castor, and Alicia P. Magos. 2014. Tikum Kadlum. Sugidanon (Epics) of Panay Series. Quezon City: University of the Philippines Press. Sanagnayan: a being whose life-force is in an egg in a lion's heart; the sister of Matan-ayon is rescued by Labaw Donggon from SanagnayanCaballero, Federico “Tuohan,” Teresita “Abyaran” Caballero-Castor, and Alicia P. Magos. 2014. Tikum Kadlum. Sugidanon (Epics) of Panay Series. Quezon City: University of the Philippines Press. Balanakon: prevented by the god of the sky from sailing into Labaw Donggon's territory, resulting in a long-drawn battleCaballero, Federico “Tuohan,” Teresita “Abyaran” Caballero-Castor, and Alicia P. Magos. 2014. Tikum Kadlum. Sugidanon (Epics) of Panay Series. Quezon City: University of the Philippines Press.

References