Cultural Practices of the Dungoanon Manobo and Their Values Towards Education

This qualitative study investigates the cultural practices of Dungoanon Manobo and their values towards education. Also, the methods used in culture preservation and challenges encountered by the Dungoanon Manobo community in Barangay Angaan, Damulog, Bukidnon, for the school year 2023-2024. The researchers selected five local people as study participants through purposive sampling. Language experts validated the interview questions, which the researchers used to capture the respondents' stories. Data analysis followed Moustakas' (1994) model of interpretation. Findings revealed that the Dungoanon Manobo people mainly rely on farming and selling bananas, corn, and rice to earn money to live each day. Family is essential for them. When picking leaders, they look for kind people who can solve problems. They believe in gods and spirits and do special rituals to talk to them. Also, parents believe education can improve life and give them more opportunities for the future. Moreover, the Dungoanon Manobo community has various ways to keep their cultural traditions alive. They speak their native language when interacting and have a weekly ritual called kanduli, wearing traditional attire during these rituals to express their cultural identity and pride. Also, they participate in tribal festivals, showcasing their cultural customs and traditions during community celebrations. Furthermore, the Dungoanon Manobo community faces many tough challenges in keeping their cultural ways alive. Some people mistreat them if they speak their native language outside their community, and some people record Manobo cultural events without asking. Also, cross-marriage brings mixed traditions, dramatically changing their artistic practices and beliefs. The study underscores the significance of culture in shaping the identity, beliefs, and behaviors of the Dungoanon Manobo. Cultural practices serve as conduits for transmitting knowledge and fostering pride, ensuring the continuity of Manobo traditions across generations.