Who are the Kalagan of the Philippines?

The Kalagan primarily live in small Islamic communities along the coastal areas of Mindanao Island. Ethnically, they have a Malay heritage. The Kalagan are generally friendly, but suspicious of outsiders.

Culture

Although surrounded by Roman Catholic Cebuano communities, the Kalagan women's veils, their Arabic house decor, non-pork diet, distinct language, Islamic wedding practices, worship rituals and mosques make them stand out as a distinct people group.

Unlike richer Muslim groups, most Kalagan men have only one wife. Divorce and remarriage are practiced. Many children and youth undergo two kinds of education: secular education in public schools and Islamic/Arabic education in the madrasah. Few children attend school past the third or fourth grade, as they must help in the constant struggle to meet the family's daily needs.

Each community is jointly led by a datu (chieftain), an imam (religious leader) and an ustaz (religious educator). These leaders submit to higher authorities in other places such as a sultan (a datu of datus) and an alim (an Islamic scholar). They also welcome visiting tabliq (Islamic missionaries). The more fundamentalist communities follow Sharia law in disciplining moral offenders.

Livelihood

Most Kalagan households engage in subsistence fishing, seasonal copra-making, and charcoal-making. Those near rivers are also engaged in sand and gravel hauling. Some Kalagan have small sari-sari (variety) stores. A recent trend has been to send daughters and wives to the Middle East as domestic helpers. These women contribute much in meeting their families' daily needs.

Beliefs

The Kalagan were animists until the coming of Muslim missionaries around the 1500s, when about half of the people group began to follow Islam. Animistic practices still influence religious practice for many of the Kalagan, but there has been a movement in recent years toward more fundamentalist versions of Islam. Kalagans are also known as "Davawenyo Muslims."

Prayer Points

• Pray that followers of Jesus who live near Kalagan communities would build relationships of mutual respect and trust with their Kalagan neighbors, and that they would find opportunities to share the Good News not only through words, but also through practical service.
• Pray that the Kalagan would be open to hearing about God's love.
• Pray for linguists who are working to translate the Bible and other literature in the Kalagan language.

Learn more about the Kalagan

(External links)

Joshua Project People Profile
Wikipilipinas Kalagan Info
Kalagan Language