Southern Subanen

The Subanen people, originally coastal dwellers of the Zamboanga Peninsula, derived their name from "Suba," meaning "river," signifying their deep connection to riverbanks and waterways.

Prior to American influence, they practiced ancestral and nature-based spirituality. However, today, a majority of the Subanen population in Zamboanga del Sur has embraced Christianity, with churches established in every barangay. Traditionally, Subanen clothing features black top garments adorned with colorful sequins and beads, while women wear "malong," a tubular cloth also common among Muslims. The Southern Subanen's vibrant culture is reflected in their love for music, with songs like Gingumanen, Semba, Dlonli, and Perelang accompanied by traditional instruments, such as the Gong, Kutapi, Kumbing, Kulintang, and Tambubok. Additionally, they are skilled farmers, cultivating crops like corn and rice, as well as raising livestock such as pigs, chickens, cattle, and water buffaloes in the mountainous regions of Zamboanga del Sur and Misamis Occidental in Mindanao, Philippines.