The Indigenous Black Filipinos
Growing up in the U.S, I often heard East Asians refer to Southeast Asians, more so Filipinos, as the “Blacks of Asia”, but never really thought much of it. I thought it had more to do with many Filipino-Americans affinity towards Black culture rather than their physical appearance, but after visiting the Philippines and seeing the indigenous people, it made a lot more sense.
Origins
The indigenous people of the Philippines, known as the “Aeta”, are a group related to the Negrito (Spanish term for “little black person”) ethnic group occupying parts of the Andaman Islands in India, Malaysia, and Thailand. They are characterized by their short statue, kinky hair, and dark skin. The Negritos are thought to be one of the earliest inhabitants of the Philippines about 30,000 years ago.
I first visited the Aeta in December of 2008 while visiting my parents and sister who were living in Manila. Many of the Aeta reside in Pampanga, a city about 2 hours from Manila.
I was shocked by the amount of love my brother, sister, father, and I received when we entered their village for the first time. Everywhere we went, people came out of their homes to guide us around, shake our hands, and offer us food. We heard shouts of “OBAMA! OBAMA!” everywhere we went. At the time, it was their way of saying “My brother/sister.”
The people were ecstatic to see people who looked like them and I could feel that excitement almost immediately. Not only were we Black people coming from a distance to see them, but American on top of that, which added another layer of “respectability” in the eyes of many of the locals.
I visited the Aeta village many times throughout my time in the Philippines, but there was one particular family I grew a bond with, so I always made sure I came to visit whenever I was in town.
Modern day Aeta
The Aeta live a simple life and are a tight-knit community. Most have adopted modern customs, but still keep their culture intact (somewhat) at the same time.
Unfortunately, the Aeta suffer as a marginalized community like many of the indigenous people throughout the world. Globally, indigenous people tend to be at the bottom, while the lighter populations are considered supreme. For example, Latin America with the indigenous populations at the bottom, mestizos (mixed majority) serving as the buffer group, and the European-Latinos at the top. A similar dynamic exists in the Philippines.
In a country that values East Asian looking/half Caucasian, and lighter skinned Filipinos, the Aeta are at the bottom of the barrel. However, despite this, the Aeta are still a happy and prideful people.
In the future, I hope more Filipinos will grow to embrace the Aeta people. The Aeta are a loving community and welcoming to all, but unfortunately are a forgotten community…
Interested in the indigenous people of Southeast Asia? Check out how I connected with the Negritos of Malaysia here.
48 Comments
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Gabriel Saygbe
I enjoyed reading your stories about traveling and meeting people, please keep us informed and may you always have a safe travel.
Yul Anderson
the African American Future Society happy to hear more
Nicole Goodridge
Im glad you were able to experience a different part of the world unlike what you grew up with or were used to being an American thank you for having that braveness and inner yearning curious kinda spirit God bless you and continue your safe loving journeys
Damilola O.
Hi Tyreek,
Really enjoyed your narration of the Aeta people. Saw a meme of the hidden face of the Phillipines; I thought it was just some kind of joke to taunt the Phillipines.
Reading your post has authenticated the meme.
Thanks for this.
Tyreek
Hey:) I’m happy to hear you enjoyed it. If you ever get the chance to visit the Philippines, I highly recommend you visit the Aeta people！
Norman E. Robertson
Enjoyed your article on the Aeta people in the Philippines.
George A Washington
Wow I’m in the Philippines..been here almost 5 years and never seen these beautiful black Filipinos..I’m definitely going to visit Pampanga..
Ex-Navy
Apparently you have not been the NAV MAG Philippines. There is an entire tribe and village full of these little people who help the US Marines in tracking down intruders who try to break into off limit lands to steal ammo for their civil war between the NPA and PC. They live off the land just as they did thousands of years ago.
Norbert Minut
Norbert Minut,Kokopo,
Crey
So you said in the PI & South Amrica, the aborigines or negritos (blacks at the bottom), the whites at the top, colored in between. Dude, that’s the same in your home country (USA – aborigine & black @ bottom) and the rest of the world.
Michael W Billups
Gee… when I read that, I didn’t get the impression that he was disputing that fact. After all, he lives in the US.
Michael
…well he doesn’t live in the US but he’s been there and he is half black so he definitely knows how it is.
Santos
Beautiful insight from a beautiful and PowerFull journey! Thank you for bringing this to light and connecting the the Global Fam! 🙏🏽 @teamcwcm “I’m changing the World, by Changing Me” ~Santos
Famella Gonzales
Hello Tyreek really enjoy reading about the true Filipinos . Would love to one day visit Aeta people with my children.
I honestly believe Filipinos all over the globe read more about where we came from and who we really are.
Once again Thank you!!
Tyreek
Hey Famella, thank you so much for reading! The Aeta are a loving group of people and love visitors, especially those that embrace their culture. When you go, let me know how it is:)
S
Appreciate the story bruh. I came here by doing a search for black filipinos
NaiNai
I remember many years ago I brought up to my friend who is Filipina (born in the states) that there are indigenous black people in the Philippines and she kind of looked at me side ways and told me I was miseducated, “There are no native blacks in the Philippines” she said. I didn’t want to argue with her given I’ve never been and only learned through my own research and interest in anthropology! I felt a little ignorant, but I am happy to learn that they are thriving and lovely in the beautiful islands of the Philippines.
Thank you for sharing your travels with us!
Lost With Purpose
I knew nothing about the Aeta… but you learn something new every day 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Leo
There are two indigenous one are the negritos(not related to the n word)ex.the aeta and the others are the Igorots,the Igorots are the reason why Filipinos are brown.
Harold
Hi Leo can you send me some more info on the Igorots,the Igorots and why the Filipinos are brown.
Crip
I married a Filipina and seen some Aeta and learned how happy they are all the time, and they earn money by selling their crops to the people below them in the city. They charge a very cheap price, and the people know it, but they bargain them down to an extremely cheap price, which pisses me off!! the Filipino people north of Manila are great kind sharing people, and the Aeta’s are better, just stay away from the Visaya people from Manila and south of there, they are crooked users, they search out American men or any other country, that are lonely for a companion, they will suck you dry of money and will marry you while sucking you dry of your money. I know of a gal that married a guy she met while working a sex site, then she got him to sponsor her parents to come to America, then she got his cousin to sponsor her sister under a fiancé visa, which he married, then she got a regular customer in their restaurant to sponsor her sister and her children under a fiance visa and 1 daughter couldn’t come because she was too old, (24) but he married the sister and sponsored the younger daughter, and she was a spoiled brat and her mother was pissed at her sister for setting her to marry a grouchy old man. But she kept up the acting as she loved him while he was supporting the daughter back in the Philippines who was a lesbian who quit her job as a teacher after her mother met the kind heart old man so he would have to support her by sending over $1000. per month which with that kind of money her could have supported 3 families in the area where they live. The old man died, then the sister who introduced them was wanting 1/3rd of his retirement money, and the other siblings they have was already asking how much they were getting of his money. He left behind $250,000. in his retirement account, and his 10 acres of land with building on it along with his very large tool box full of any tool you could think of, his car lift, forklift, tractors, and camper. He left everything to her. and that’s all she wanted, she got her 10 year green card, his retirement money, and all his property. So my warning is NEVER HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH A VISAYA, THEY ARE CROOKED, CUNNING, I have a buddy who married one, and she also took him to the cleaners, after her bought her 3 very nice houses, 1 in Cebu, one in Angeles City, and one in San Francisco, and her allowance was $15,00 dollars a month, and she got pregnant by a copand kept the kid, and he raised the kid as his own, after 14 years he had enough, I wish her would have reported her and the cop, they could have gotten 20 years in prison for cheating during the marrage. He’s happier now and he has money, he still supports her with $500. per month, which is plenty to live on, but as I understand she’s now working at the bars on Fields Street, selling herself to support her rich lifestyle. I married a gal outside Angeles City, and she’s the best thing that could have ever happened to me, she’s not sucking me dry for money, she’s a sweetheart and my family loves her too. the only people that would be better than her are the Aeta’s, and she was raised only 1 kilometer from them, and those were her playmates. Aeta’s are WONDERFUL PEOPLE!!
Nicole Adams
Dude. I’m from Cebu and I’m nowhere near what you just described. I’m married to an American and I make pretty good money by myself working at an engineering firm. Don’t stereotype the Visayans.
Sherry Brown
Poverty makes people do crazy things. I’m responding to the poor man whose buddy got taken in by a gold-digger. Now about the Aetas. The Aetas look lovely. I’m glad they took Tyreek in like family. That’s how it should be.
Malini
Buddy, this is the most random, out of the blue, racist rant I have ever read. What kind of person comes on a wholesome blog like this one to write an essay about their negative experiences with sex tourism? Sex tourists deserve every bad thing that happens to them, and more. “He met her while she was working at a sex site” is a horrifying sentence. The women you’re describing aren’t “lonely” or “greedy.” They are impoverished and frankly enslaved. They will do anything to get out of those circumstances. No normal person has friends who travel to other countries to prey on, assault, and traffic women. If someone trafficked me, I would probably take all I could from them, too if I could. Sounds like a smart and resourceful woman.
Will
Thank you so much for enlightening us about the indigenous people of the Philippines. I’m still in awe of what I’ve learned from the article.
Stephanie Washington
Hi Tyreek, just discovered your blog, searching for information about black Filipinos. I’m excited to live vicariously through your travels & blog/Instagram posts. God speed! – Stephanie
Cymande
Absolutely beautiful. Military brat .Moms best friend is Filipino . Amazing people ❤
Marvin
Wonderful post! Informative and learned something new!
Francis
Tyreek, I very much enjoyed your informative post.
Tayeka
Glad to get info on the black people in Aeta.Beautiful people
Jaden Camcos
im sorry HAHA but obama doesn’t mean “my brother/sister” they were straight up calling you or you dad, obama 😆
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Carolina
Thank you for putting your wisdom of experience into words / knowledge for others. My mother land is Pampanga and our ancestors are from an Aeta warrior lineage. Our history is so rich and then close to covered up to fit the narrative of the image of Filipino shown to the modern Western world. Love and power to the indigenous and beautifully Melanated peoples of this Earth.
Jacob
Hi Carolina can you please send me references I can read about the Aetas and other brown and dark skin people in the Philippines
Tyrone
I watched a YouTube video a few months ago on Black Filipino’s. I would like to visit this area of the Philippines. Any advice?
Salute to you brother Tyreek and thank you✌🏾
Christina
Thank you for sharing!!
Christina Kirk
Thank you for sharing!’
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Kara Baw
Light skinned Filipinos are not all Half-Caucasian. according to the Spaniards a lot of the natives (now we know as Filipinos) were white and European looking both in Manila and in the Visayans.
Joe
“Aeta people typically don’t grow over 4’8 or 143 cm.”
The Bushmen, Pygmies and Negrito people like the Aeta have the original phenotype of Homo Sapiens. This is what people looked like upto 8,000 years ago, including in Europe, where they were called the Western Hunter Gatherers. Everything else is caused by (combinations of) mutations of the few genes that affect phenotype.
So these people are the Philippines’ unadmixed by later migrations of the Neolithic and Bronze Age, direct link to the Paleolithic. Most people have paleolithic dna from the continent they live on. Bushmen and Pygmy dna Africa, Western Hunter dna in Europe, Andaman Islander dna in India.
Malini
This is so interesting!! Thank you so much for explaining this.
G Francis Carlton Freeman
I love your story brother. I’m a Liberian currently studying in Manila, after reading your short history in the Philippines I am hoping to reach that side during one of our long vacation. I am really praying for that, brother this is very interesting i was just reading one of my lesson concerning the Filipinos culture and I came across your site. May GOD bless and keep you, may he make his face to shine upon you and give you peace as you keep exploring and brilliantly informing the world. Safe trip on your next move bro.
One thing brother when it comes to hospitality. It’s in the dna almost all Filipinos. They are very very loving and caring to all human kinds!
Michael W Billups
Tyreek, I discovered your blog in my search to find out where the darker hued Filipinos are. You see, I have been watching some live streams from the Philippines and have seen hardly no one of the darker skin that I remember from when I was a child here in Atlanta, GA US. Our neighbor used to take care of some Filipino children who were all much darker than the people I see on the video streams today. In fact, they were very much my own brown complexion only they looked Asian-ish. I thought they were some really beautiful kids. So, today, I started looking for the darker Filipinos. Thanks to you, I have a clue. I am really looking forward to everything you have to share with us. Thank you!
asdfasdf
great post!
CARL JAMES BANKS JR
The Aeta are the best people on the planet! carl Banks Jr.
Skill
Fam, I don’t know how I found your blog (actually I was studying using some wikipedia) but I’m grateful of it!…This is dope, I’m a Black male from Houston, TX and I too hope to one day be able to travel and see more of us in different places! I hope you’re doing well wherever you are! I got a million questions for you!
Tyreek
Bro any questions you have, let me know.