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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 30,000 years ago. They introduced a sea-faring ocean-sailing culture throughout Southeast Asia, the Polynesian islands and Madagascar. Like the rest of the population in the Philippine Islands, the Austronesian tribal groups, which became the Malay people encountered the Negrito population on the islands (Negros and Zambales).

The early Cebuanos held animist beliefs and worshipped anitos (spirits) until the introduction of Roman Catholicism. Muslim traders from Malaysia and Indonesia established trade relations with the islands between the 13th and 16th centuries, at the same time introducing their religion to the indigenous 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 population of the island of Cebu stands at around 3,850,000 people. A number of individuals have Spanish, Chinese, as well as ancestries from other 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. It is the largest native language population and the second largest spoken language in the country, the other being Tagalog. Most speakers of Cebuano are found in the Central Visayas and in certain parts of Mindanao. Other notable foreign language spoken include Chinese which is spoken by its Chinese community; and among others.

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". Ethnologue.com.

External links

• Encyclopedia Britannica

• Visayan people
• Cebuano