Manobo simply means “people” or “person”; alternate names include Manuvu and Minuvu. The term may have originated from “Mansuba,” a combination of man (people) and suba (river). Manobos are concentrated in Agusan, Bukidnon, Cotabato, Davao, Misamis Oriental, and Surigao Del Sur.
The Manobo usually build their villages near small bodies of water or forest clearings, although they also opt for hillsides, rivers, valleys, and plateaus. The communities are small, consisting of only 4-12 houses. They practice slash-and-burn agriculture.
Commonly known as the Atas of Davao, the Ata Manobo live in northwestern Davao del Norte, particularly in Kapalong and Talaingod; and in Davao City.
Sources:Lewis, M. Paul (ed.), 2009. Ethnologue: Languages of the World, Sixteenth edition. Dallas, Tex.: SIL International. Online version: http://www.ethnologue.com/.
CCP Encyclopedia of the Philippine Art. Volume II: Peoples of the Philippines Kalinga to Yakan. 1994. Manila: Cultural Center of the Philippines.
Joshua Project. http://www.joshuaproject.net/
De Leon, Lydia Mary. N.D. Manobo. http://litera1no4.tripod.com/
