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'Cebuano' redirects here. For the language that is spoken in Cebu, see Cebuano language.

The Cebuano people are a Visayan ethnic group in Cebu and form the second largest cultural-linguistic group in the Philippines.

History

The early people on the island were Austronesians who settled in Cebu around 6,000 to 30,000 years ago. They introduced their culture and ocean-sailing technology throughout Southeast Asia, the Polynesian islands and Madagascar. Unlike in the rest of the population in the Philippines, the Austronesian tribal groups, which became the Malay people encountered no Negrito population on the island.

The early Cebuanos held animist beliefs and worshipped anitos (spirits) until the introduction of Islam and later, Roman Catholicism. Muslim traders from Malaysia and Indonesia established trade relations with the Philippines between the 13th and 16th centuries, at the same time introducing their religion to the indigenous Filipino population and being organized into a variety of tribal groups governed by chieftains called datus and rajahs. Both Spain and the United States colonized the island between the 16th and 20th century, achieving its independence from colonial rule in 1946. Today, the islands population forms around 3,850,000 people. There are also some individuals who have Spanish, Chinese, as well as ancestries from other Filipino groups.

Culture and festivities

Cebuano culture is traditionally characterized as a blend of Malay and Spanish tradition with influences from the United States and other Asian culture. The majority of its population are Roman Catholic and there are also some followers of Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism and among others.

Among the island's notable festivities are the Sinulog festival which is a tribal and Christian festival celebrated annually every third week of January.

Language

The Cebuano language is spoken by about 20,000,000 people in the island and forms the largest Visayan languages and the second largest spoken language along with Tagalog in the country. Most speakers are found in the Central Visayas and in certain parts of Mindanao. Other languages spoken includes English, Chinese and Spanish.

See also

• Demographics of the Philippines

References

1. "Cebu has biggest population among provinces". Sunstar.com. Retrieved April 18, 2008.
2. "Cebuano". Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved October 28, 2009.
3. William Allan Reed. "Negritos of Zambales". Manila Bureau of Public Printing 1904 - Letter of Transmittal (Department of the Interior, The Ethnological Survey. Retrieved March 3, 1904. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
4. "Cebu has biggest population among provinces". Retrieved April 18, 2008.
5. "Countries and their Cultures". www.everyculture.com.
6. "Culture Of The Philippines".
7. "Culture and Lifestyle". Cebu Province Official Website.
8. "Cebu Philippines Festivals, Fiestas and Cultural Event". eTravel Pilipinas-Discover the Wonders of Island Paradise.
9. "Cebuano language of Philippines". Ethnologue.com.

External links

• Encyclopedia Britannica

• Visayan people
• Cebuano