A genetic study of various ethnic groups in the feature Multiple Migration to the Philippines during the last 50,000 published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), reveals a complex history of migration and settlement, providing valuable insights into the region’s ancient human history. This study challenges earlier theories, such as the Indo-Malay Race and the Out-of-Taiwan hypothesis. However, it confirms that some early human groups migrated through Sundaland, a landmass that eventually disappeared thousands of years ago (see illustration below.) The last wave of migrants is believed to have passed through Taiwan after Sundaland had submerged.
Among these groups, the Negritos are some of the earliest known inhabitants of the archipelago. However, they are just one part of a broader narrative that includes subsequent waves of migration by other groups, such as the Manobo, Sama, and Cordillerans.
Negrito Populations: The Earliest Settlers
Negrito groups in the Philippines, such as those in Luzon and Mindanao, represent some of the earliest human migrations into Southeast Asia. Genetic evidence suggests that the ancestors of the Northern Negritos diverged from a shared lineage with Australo-Papuan groups about 46,000 years ago, likely moving through Sundaland before reaching Luzon. These groups then diversified into distinct populations, such as the Ayta, Agta, and Atta, influenced by geographic isolation and environmental factors.
The Southern Negritos, like the Mamanwa of Mindanao, share a different branch of this early lineage, reflecting a separate migration event through the Sulu Archipelago. This divergence illustrates the diversity within the Negrito populations, marked by a higher degree of Australo-Papuan genetic signals compared to their northern counterparts.
The Manobo and Sama Migrations
Following the Negritos, the Philippines experienced several waves of migration, introducing new ethnic groups with distinct genetic and cultural traits. Among these are the Manobo and other Austronesian-speaking groups, who arrived in the archipelago thousands of years after the Negritos. The Manobo, along with groups like the Tagbanwa and Subanen, are believed to have arrived during the Austronesian expansion over 12,000 years ago, followed by the Sama-like migration around 8,000 to 12,000 years ago.
These groups are characterized by their mixed ancestry, which includes both ancient Southeast Asian and more recent Austronesian genetic components. Their arrival marked a significant cultural and genetic shift in the Philippines, as they brought new technologies, agricultural practices, and social structures. The Austronesian-speaking populations gradually spread throughout the islands, interacting with existing Negrito communities, leading to varying degrees of cultural exchange and genetic admixture.
Cordillerans: The Later Migrants
The Cordillerans represent a later wave of migration through a different route; they migrated via Taiwan after the disappearance of Sundaland and are considered one of the last major groups to arrive in the Philippines. Genetic studies indicate that Cordillerans are primarily of Basal East Asian ancestry, suggesting a migration route distinct from both the Negritos and earlier Austronesian settlers. They also share genetic similarities with the indigenous peoples of Taiwan. Unlike many other Philippine groups, the Cordillerans have maintained a relatively isolated genetic profile due to the rugged terrain of the Cordillera region, which limited interactions with neighboring populations.
This isolation has allowed the Cordillerans to preserve unique cultural practices and maintain a genetic lineage with minimal admixture from other groups, including the Negritos and Austronesian settlers. Their distinct genetic makeup highlights the diversity of migration patterns into the Philippines and underscores the complex demographic history of the region.
Summation
This genetic study disproves some theories while supporting others. It is perhaps the most comprehensive study to date, analyzing 2.3 million genotypes from 1,028 individuals representing 115 Indigenous Philippine populations, as well as genome sequences from two 8,000-year-old remains found in Liangdao, Taiwan.
The genetic landscape of the Philippines reflects a rich tapestry of migrations and cultural interactions. The Negritos, as the earliest settlers, laid the foundation for human habitation in the archipelago. Subsequent arrivals, such as the Manobo and other Austronesian-speaking groups, introduced new genetic and cultural elements, significantly shaping the region’s history. The Cordillerans, arriving later, added yet another layer of diversity to the population. Together, these groups illustrate a complex history of migration, adaptation, and cultural exchange that has shaped the Philippines’ unique genetic and cultural heritage. – Carl Cariño Taawan
