Located within the southern portion of Luzon Island, the Mt. Iriga Agta people group reside in a concentrated cluster. The Mt. Iriga Agta people group are traditionally considered a tribal Filipino people group. As Agta translates to "Human," this people group benefited from escaping Spanish rule earlier in the Philippines' colonization history. Also known by the collective group name of Inagta Rinconada, this people group resides in a variety of locations, with such noted concentrated populations being near the Mount Iriga volcano, surrounding Buhi Lake, or within the thickness of forests. The wide diversity of the Mt. Iriga Agta populations exhibits their proven reliance as a collective group to survive and adapt if needing to migrate.
The Mt. Iriga Agta people group communicate with their namesake language of Mt. Iriga Agta. With this endangered indigenous language only taught through ethnic communities though, Filipino and English are more apt to be used for communication in personal and professional circles among the Mt. Iriga Agta. Traditional Mt. Iriga Agta houses are built within cluster communities, as the group members communally gathered such easily accessible resources as abaca, bamboo, wood, and coconut leaves for their homes. As well as building with the resource of abaca, the Mt. Iriga Agta people group also sell this hard fiber as a commercial product, with mats and clothing commonly mass produced from this material. Sales of abaca have been found to impact all the Philippines. Mt. Iriga Agta additionally seek additional employment with such seasonal positions as charcoal making and gold panning to support their primary hunter and gatherer societies.
In terms of their specific society, the Mt. Iriga Agta men serve merely as consultants, as the group does not recognize any form of formal leadership. Some of the older generations of men carry body scars, a respected cultural tradition displaying ancestry designs. Most of the Mt. Iriga Agta tribal members are now beginning to abandon such practices and tribal attire for modern-day dressing attire. In terms of beliefs, Mt. Iriga Agta people group originally viewed life through animistic traditions and practices. The Mt. Iriga Agta previously worship of ancestry spirits led to ritual dancing and depiction of hunting movement. One practice included how Mt. Iriga Agta were taught to sing over their recently dead members to ensure their safe voyage into the afterlife, with nine days of corporate singing. Some of the Mt. Iriga Agta participate in wakes and burials. There has now been a definite shift among the Mt. Iriga Agta people group members who have chosen Jesus Christ as Savior and now follow him as Lord.
Trends in regional poverty decreasing within the Philippines' less developed areas are now benefiting the longevity of the Mt. Iriga Agta people group. Another benefactor for this people group is that they are more likely to integrate into Filipino society. However, as not all locations are receiving an equal distribution of modern resources, some Mt. Iriga Agta tribes remain stuck and suffering in poverty. A significant disadvantage to the Mt. Iriga Agta people group involves modernization efforts that neglect their cultural identity being preserved. This people group's homes remain endangered through such modern-day urbanizing development upon Sumagang Mountain. Additionally, abaca cultivation has declined with how the plant has been connected to three notable viruses. If abaca is then not purchased, the Mt. Iriga Agta, unknowingly still harvesting this product, waste their time, manpower, and resources on providing a product that is no longer viable in Filipino markets. Education and advocacy now become the primary necessities to help the Mt. Iriga Agta preserve the ways of living.
Pray that God would meet the spiritual needs present among the Mt. Iriga Agta church members, so they can share testimonies of the goodness of God.
Seek for God's intervention to inspire the Mt. Iriga Agta Christian believers with the gospel truths, captivating their hearts in new ways so that they enthusiastically share Jesus with others
Intercede for God to call, prepare, and equip all Mt. Iriga Agta Christians to go and to sow the seeds for God's Kingdom to bring eternal transformation both regionally and nationally throughout the Philippines.
Partner with God in intercession for the protection of Mt. Iriga Agta Christians' residences despite radical efforts to modernize.
Scripture Prayers for the Agta, Mt. Iriga in Philippines.
| Profile Source: Joshua Project |
