Tagbanwa Society



Tagbanuwa society is stratified, class positions being determined by bilateral filiation. There are only two social classes at present; the "high blood" called ginu?u in Baraki or bagarar in Apis, and the "low bloods," the dulu?an or timawa?. A third class of service-debtors or ?uripen was formerly recognized. The members of the "high bloods" are actually the bilateral descendants of ginu?u, that is, the hereditary leaders who act either as the judges during the councils or who defend the litigants. Any male descendant of a hereditary leader who would also be a "high blood" is eligible for succession to one of the many titles. As a succession does not  follow a preferential pattern the term "hereditary leader" would appear to be misleading. However, a man must be a "high blood," the descendant of a ginu?u, to be a potential leader, and there are a number of formal factors which enhance the eligibility of a man for succession.
                         - Religion and Society Among the Tagbanua of Palawan Island, Philippines. Dr. Robert B. Fox. 1982.

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