Meet the "People of the Rock"
Deep in a mountainous region of the Philippines lies a tribe completely detached from modern society. Their choice of habitat is mind-blowing—not just because it can be a dangerous environment, but because it works so well for them.
Who are the Tau't Bato?
The term Tau't Bato refers to indigenous southwestern Palawanos of the Philippines who live in caves or on hillsides in the crater of a dormant volcano during certain times of the year.
Kawanza, The Last Cavemen: The Filipino Tribe That Lives Inside a Volcano
In a rarely explored Philippine land
They reside in the Singnapan Basin, with Mount Matalingahan to the east, the coast to the west, Quezon to the north, and uncharted territories of Palawan to the south.
Kawanza, The Last Cavemen: The Filipino Tribe That Lives Inside a Volcano
Living in a sleeping giant
Mount Mantalingahan is Palawan's highest peak, found in a rarely visited wooded area. Few non-locals trek to this valley due to its sheer remoteness and difficult access.
Alastair Robinson, Wikimedia Commons
The importance of Mt. Mantalingahan
New species are continuously being found in Mount Mantalingahan, a significant biodiversity location. It retains more than half of its original forest and serves as a crucial watershed for 200,000 individuals who rely on it. The mountain is inhabited by native Palawans who have resided on this territory for countless centuries.
Kawanza, The Last Cavemen: The Filipino Tribe That Lives Inside a Volcano
A volcano to call home
During the rainy season, families take shelter in nearby caves of the dormant volcano. In dry months, each family has their own sections of land and makeshift houses in the valley.
Kawanza, The Last Cavemen: The Filipino Tribe That Lives Inside a Volcano
Simple living
Men wear bark and fabric loincloths, while women wear single-piece fabric skirts to cover their lower bodies. Such is indicative of their primitive lifestyle. Women may also wear non-Indigenous shirts occasionally.
EBS World, The Tau't Batu, Exploring the Origin of Humanity
Master weavers
Tau't Bato's craftsmanship is generally less refined compared to other Palawan tribes, except in basket weaving. They construct sturdy lattices around cave homes using saplings, securing them to wall crevices for entry.
Kawanza, The Last Cavemen: The Filipino Tribe That Lives Inside a Volcano
Experts in adapting to change
Conditions in various caves influence changes to sleeping platforms and granaries. The Tau't Bato are experts in making modifications to their environment depending on the need for it.
Kawanza, The Last Cavemen: The Filipino Tribe That Lives Inside a Volcano
The "Bulun-bulun"
The primary social structure of the Tau't-Bato is married groups, ranging from simple male-female pairs to more complex family units. These groups are organized into larger assemblies called "bulun-bulun," meaning "gathering."
Kawanza, The Last Cavemen: The Filipino Tribe That Lives Inside a Volcano
The tribe is tight-knit
Each bulun-bulun lives in a cave or housing compound within their living area. They support each other by sharing food and engaging in social and material interactions.
EBS World, The Tau't Batu, Exploring the Origin of Humanity
Assigned life partners
Tau't Bato traditionally do not partake in courtship rituals. Marriages are arranged by parents, with girls marrying at 9+ and boys at 15+. During the ceremony, the couple eats boiled cassava together.
EBS World, The Tau't Batu, Exploring the Origin of Humanity
Children grow up fast
Elder children care for younger children while busy. Similar to other tribes in the region, a greater number of offspring means more hands that are available to help keep things in the community running smoothly.
Kawanza, The Last Cavemen: The Filipino Tribe That Lives Inside a Volcano
Strong spiritual beliefs
The Tau't Batu people adhere to a spirit-based religion, aiming to please spirits for blessings and avoid curses. They are fully immersed in nature, incorporating their environment into every aspect of their lives.
Kawanza, The Last Cavemen: The Filipino Tribe That Lives Inside a Volcano
Friendly, not hostile
Despite being an old tribe, they are still welcoming to outsiders—though they may be shy at first. In their province of Palawan, they are somewhat a kind of local celebrity, with curious adventurers often seeking to visit their villages.
They love music
The Tau't Batu have a passion for music. They are skilled in playing two musical instruments called "Kubing" and "Kudlong," which are often used alongside a gong.
EBS World, The Tau't Batu, Exploring the Origin of Humanity
A self-sustaining community
Life in the valley for the Tau't Baut is simple but fulfilling with all basic needs met. Strong family bonds and affection are what keep them going.
Kawanza, The Last Cavemen: The Filipino Tribe That Lives Inside a Volcano
Carbohydrate-heavy diets
The Tau't Bato sustain themselves by growing crops like cassava for carbohydrates, alongside sweet potato, sugarcane, garlic, pepper, and more.
EBS World, The Tau't Batu, Exploring the Origin of Humanity
Equal distribution of labor
The women in the valley start their tasks early. Everyone in the family shares the workload of planting, maintaining fields, harvesting, and cooking for the family.
EBS World, The Tau't Batu, Exploring the Origin of Humanity
Hunting in the forest
The Tau't Bato are also skilled hunters and foragers, gathering food all year to help supplement their diets. A popular prey of choice is wild pigs, which they capture using spring traps.
EBS World, The Tau't Batu, Exploring the Origin of Humanity
Hunting in the caves
They also catch bats by making bat catchers. Large nets made from palm leaves and lengthy poles with strands of rattan thorns can easily ensnare bat wings. The Tau't Bato use every part of the bat, including the wings.
Kawanza, The Last Cavemen: The Filipino Tribe That Lives Inside a Volcano
Their weapons of choice
Tau't Bato typically used blowguns for forest hunting, but they now prefer shotguns for convenience. They only occasionally use blowguns today; usually if no shotguns are available.
Kawanza, The Last Cavemen: The Filipino Tribe That Lives Inside a Volcano
Constantly at war with mosquitoes
Malaria is a big issue in the Singnapan Valley, causing concern for residents. Precautionary measures are crucial, like burning grass to repel mosquitoes.
Kawanza, The Last Cavemen: The Filipino Tribe That Lives Inside a Volcano
Trading habits
They also participate in the exchange of goods and money with the Candawaga people of a nearby village. In terms of goods exchanged, the Candawaga offer marine fish in return for horticultural products from the Tau't Bato.
Currency is valid
In terms of money exchange, the two trade forest products such as almaciga (a Philippine timber tree that is used to make resin) and rattan with each other.
Political intervention
In the 1970s, President Marcos named the tribe after their cave-dwelling. The former Philippine President made several trips to Singnapan Valley to bring care packages to the people, despite fearing that the tribe might attack.
Age FotoStock, Wikimedia Commons
A tale of riches
Marcos was fascinated by the wealth in the area and his team looted caves used for burial by the Tau't Bato to gather gold and valuables. They also searched for Japanese treasure in unexplored caves.
Kawanza, The Last Cavemen: The Filipino Tribe That Lives Inside a Volcano
The president's ulterior motives
Rumors later spread that Marcos hid riches in the caves of Singnapan, attracting tourists in the '80s and '90s. However, Marcos's true intention was to exploit the tribes for wealth—not to store his own.
Kawanza, The Last Cavemen: The Filipino Tribe That Lives Inside a Volcano
They must be protected
Today, the government of the Philippines has limited access to the Tau't Bato. This is a problem because mining concessions pose a threat to their communities near Mt. Mantalingahan.
Kawanza, The Last Cavemen: The Filipino Tribe That Lives Inside a Volcano
How to visit
The starting point for a trip to the Palawan tribe and Tau't Bato people is reached after a rough seven-hour bus journey from Puerto Princesa. Once you find a tribe member, they can link you to a tour guide who can take you further into the villages.
