Posted by geemiz | Posted in Bohol, Byahe Pilipinas | Posted on 17-02-2017
Tags: Travel Guide
Tribu Eskaya is one of the less visited place in Bohol. They are an indigenous group found in the towns of Duero, Guindulman, Sierra Bullones, and Pilar. The tribe has its own distinct culture, literature, and language. The most common settlement of the tribe is located in barangay Taytay, Duero, Bohol.
The Eskaya Tribe of Bohol
How to Go to Eskaya Tribe
- Ride a bus or van to Duero, Bohol.
- Duero fare – bus 70.00php and van is 120php.
- Stop at Duero Public Market.
- 100php habalhabl one way to Eskaya Tribe.
- Taytay, Duero is the tip most of the mountains of Duero.
History of Eskaya Tribe
There are many controversies and stories regarding the history of the tribe. Most of it based on stories passed down from generations to generations. The most detailed that is so near of what our guide has shared to us can be read here http://www.bohol-philippines.com/history-of-eskaya.html . On the other note, the Eskaya Tribe in Duero, Bohol was founded by Fabian, Baja under the instructions of Mariano Datahan. Mariano Datahan established the very first Eskaya Tribe in the 20th century in Biabas, Guindulman, Bohol.
What to expect when visiting Eskaya Tribe?
- People wear normal clothing.
- Houses are made of regular materials like brick and wood.
- People mostly speak the Bisaya/Cebuano dialect.
The Eskaya Books
- Unang Katawhan sa Bohol (First People of Bohol) also known as Pinay, Rangman (encyclopedia)
- Simplet (dictionary)
- Abadeha (Origin of the Alphabet)
- Cuadra (Mechanics of the Alphabet)
- Atekesis (Botanical Knowledge)
- Daylinda (Romantic story of one chief)
- Aritmetica (Arithmetic).
Eskaya Writing and Language
Pinay is the one man who devised the writing system of the Eskaya Tribe. They said that it is based from parts of the human body and positions of a man’s head, arms, and legs. According to some linguists the Eskaya language is pure syllabary much like the Japanese Katakana.
Tips when visiting Eskaya Tribe in Bohol
- Register at the office of NCIP (National Culture of Indegenous People) in tagbilaran city.
- Or Drop first at the Culture office of the Municipality of Duero. (Near the market)
- The culture office will inform the tribe about your visit and someone from the tribe either one of the elders, tribe council or tribe teacher will assist you.
- Perfect time to visit the tribe
- May 5 – Eskaya Tribe Day
- Sunday – Eskaya Sunday Service and Eskaya kids are being taught eskaya tribe culture
Eskaya Numbers
| 0 | They have no name for 0 |
| 1 | oy |
| 2 | tre |
| 3 | koy |
| 4 | pan |
| 5 | sing |
| 6 | nom |
| 7 | pin |
| 8 | wal |
| 9 | sem |
| 10 | pon |
| 20 | kaw |
| 30 | krat |
| 100 | ten |
| 1,000 | man |
Eskaya version of Months
| E-mi-o | January |
| Hebi-o | February |
| Maso | March |
| Kabir | April |
| Ma-o | May |
| Hubi | June |
| Hubi-on | July |
| Tatubi | August |
| Sitibi | September |
| Oktubi | October |
| Nobi | November |
| Dibi | December |
Eskaya version of Days of the week
| Leni | Monday |
| Mimati | Tuesday |
| Mibol | Wednesday |
| Hubir | Thursday |
| Friday | |
| Sanubi | Saturday |
| Llongo | Sunday |
Eskaya Tribe Religion
In 1902, Mariano datahan instructed that all Eskaya Tribe member shall convert to the Philippine Independent Church. They have weekly church service every Sunday headed by the church head a bishop they call “beriki”. Their supreme being is called “Suno”. They have spiritual leaders who can perform rituals for good harvests, house blessings, weddings and the like but not the weekly service
Things to Do in Eskaya Tribe
- Talk to the people they are friendly.
- Visit their strawberry garden. They are the only place in Bohol that grow strawberries.
- Listen to the elder’s stories.
- Try learning few Eskaya term.
Recognition and Legalization
Legally, the Eskaya are now classified as an indigenous group under Republic Act or R.A. No. 8371 entitled “The Indigenous People’s Rights Act of 1997. The the group was recognized and the community awarded a Certificate of Ancestral Domain Claim (CADC) in 1996 by President Fidel V. Ramos. CADC No. R7-CADC-14 deemed as ancestral domain 3,173 hectares of land in Taytay (Duero), Biabas (Guindulman), Lundag (Pilar), Canta-ub (Sierra-Bullones), and Cadapdapan (Candijay).
Eskaya Controversies
- They are the descendants of the resistance groups that fought under Francisco Dagohoy
- Eskaya are a Semitic proto-Christian tribe
- They possess the lost book of Enoch
- They are descendants of the builders of King Solomon’s temple; and that they guard esoteric secrets.
- The Eskaya tribe is related to the descendants of the Rajah of Butuan.
- They are remnant of the original indigenous settlers of Bohol who hailed from Sumatra in the 7th century A.D.
Our guide in Eskaya Tribe informed us that they are NOT in anyway associated with the Eskaya Resort in Panglao, Bohol and they are not receiving anything from the said resort.
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Hi Gzell! I found this article of yours really fascinating and informative. I have a few questions I’d like to ask (preferably via email). Hope you can get in touch with me 🙂 thanks!
Thanks Cathy.
Sent you an email.
Good day Miss Geezelle. I love your article. I got interested about the Eskaya tribe and would like to know more. Can I ask a few questions? via email perhaps.. Thanks
Hi Jeryl.
Just shoot me an email or send a message in Geemiz facebook.
I would be glad to answer your questions as I can.
Hi Geemiz,
Thanks for sharing this. It’s fascinating and opens up the Eskaya culture to the world. I will be travelling to philippines early May and would like to spend a day/night with the Tribe. Do you know how I could organise it?
Best,
Lucie.
Hi Lucie, I am glad to be of help. That is what this blog is for. The best way to do this is through the Culture office of the Municipality of Duero. I will try to look for a contact person and inform you after.
Hello, maaari po bang magtanong tungkol sa Eskaya Tribe sa Bohol. Plano ko po kasing gawing research ang mga taga Eskaya. Pwede po malaman email niyo? Salamat po..
Hi Yeng, I replied to your inquiry on Geemiz facebook Page. Good luck with your research.
Hello everyone!
Good day!
Please be informed that before going to the area of the Eskaya Indigenous Peoples or before making documentary, write ups especially in taking pictures and videos with the IPs, please please visit our NCIP CSC Bohol office for proper coordination. The IPs are covered by RA 8371 hence proper protocol is observed.
Salamat and Godbless
Good day Maam. I’d like to ask questions about the said eskaya tribe. Aside from I am interested in this group, and I’d like to know more about them, the information I’d be getting would be useful in our project. thank u so much
Hello po, Good day! I’m interested with this group. I have a question lang po on how to join ESKAYA TRIBE or what is the process of joining them? Waiting for you response.
Best Regards,
Haide
Hi Haide, I am not sure if there is a way to join the tribe. But you can always visit them to inquire.
Going to Taytay, Duero is easier if you ride a “baobao” from Jagna. The road is concreted.
By the way the Eskaya “Chieftain” is my nephew. His father is my first cousin.
This sounds like a good advice. I will try to visit via Jagna.
Hello, I just went to the Duero municipality office and was told I must register at the NCIP in Tagbilaran first. Dropping there first won’t do you any good.
hello maam, can i ask? what is the source of income or business of eskaya tribe, and what is their distinct practices.
ps. i have report and my topic is eskaya tribe
Hi Janaisa, I have not asked them for their source of living but most people here are farmers. Other’s have family members who are working in the city or other places.