Struggles of Indigenous Peoples: The Case of a Mamanwa Diaspora in the Philippines

Abstract

In Southeast Asia - as in most parts of the world, the indigenous peoples are the most vulnerable to poverty, illness, and injustice caused by multiple factors. Anchored on the Self-Determination Theory of Ryan and Deci (2009), this explanatory, single, holistic case study examined the struggles and causal factors affecting a Mamanwa diaspora in the West-Visayan region of the Philippines by conducting in-depth interviews with 22 participants who were selected through purposive sampling. Thematic analysis (Clarke, Braun & Hayfield, 2015) generated 5 themes representing their struggles: 1) poverty, domestic violence, and strained relationships; 2) health and environmental risks; 3) inequity in education; 4) poor infrastructure; and 5) low income. From among the causal factors identified as determinants of their struggles, illiteracy proved to be the latent but strongest variable. This implies the need to make education accessible to them with corresponding financial, material, and moral support. On a wider scale, the findings suggest the need for the government to review economic, infrastructure, health, and education policies for indigenous peoples and legally recognize and protect their rights to territories, natural resources, traditional knowledge, and self-determination. Future researchers are encouraged to explore the struggles of other indigenous diasporas to solidify a collective call for action.