MANOBO TRIBE IN SURSUR TOWN HOSTS FIRST TRIBAL WEDDING

By Doreen Marielle N. Rosales

The Manobo tribe in the municipality of San Miguel in Surigao del Sur hosted its first-ever “kumbiti” or a Manobo tribal wedding on May 3, 2021.

The ceremony took place at Barangay Umalag, where the “sea of fogs,” the town’s top tourist attraction, can be seen.

Witnessing the event alongside the tribe leaders and members were Municipal Mayor Hazel Elizalde herself, the provincial tourism officer, and officers of the Philippine Army.

“Gusto ng magsing-irog na yun ang concept ng kasal nila kasi maiparating sa kanilang tribo at mga kababayan ang kahalagahan ng panatilihin ang tradisyon at kultura ng mga Manobo na ngayo’y unt-unting namamatay,” said Municipal Mayor Hazel Elizalde during her guesting at the Network Briefing News on Monday, May 31, 2021, with Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Sec. Martin Andanar.

Mayor Elizalde also served as the godmother to the wedding. In addition to her family sharing strong ties with the indigenous tribe, the local official wanted to support the event as a marker of the high regard the local government has for its indigenous peoples.

“Ito din ay paraan ng pagbibigay ko ng suporta sa kanila bilang ina ng aming bayan,” she added. (DMNR/PIA-Caraga)