The Historical Landmarks and Sacred places of the ancient people in the Municipality of Maco

1. The Historical Landmarks
and Sacred places of the
ancient people in the
Municipality of Maco,
Davao de Oro

2. Municipality of Maco
 According to some immigrants (a few still living), the name
Maco was originally derived from a word Mamaco, which
means a big tree. For the native inhabitants, Maco came
from another derivative Maraco, although referring to the
same meaning, that is, a big tree found in the area.
 The original settlers of Maco were said to be the Indigenous
Cultural Communities of Kagan and Mansaka.
 Maco is a first-class municipality in the province of
Compostela Valley, Philippines. It was formerly part of the
Municipality of Mabini before it became an independent
municipality in June 17, 1967.

3. Barangay Pangi (formerly known
“Kapangihan”)
 Pangi was a medicinal tree used by the Kagans during
the ancient period. Today’s Barangay Pangi was formerly
called kapangihan as the place was full of pangi trees.
 “Lungag ng Asuwang” (hole of the unseen creatures)
was also used by the Kagan as the boundary landmark
between Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley/Davao
del Norte.
 It is a secret passage of the Minangkabaw clan (Kagan
Tribe) which entrance was located at Pangi in Maco,
Compostela Valley

4. “Lungag ng Asuwang” or hole of the unseen creatures is a sacred
place found in Hijo River at Barangay Pangi, Maco, Compostela
Valley Province. Photo taken by Myrna E. Orit of NCIP ComVal

5.  And its exit is at the Sumlog River in Lupon, Davao
Oriental. It has been told that no person can pass the
cave except the Minangkabaw bloodline. Any intruder
who would attempt to enter the cave will encounter the
unseen creature called “Magoya” and they could not get
out from the cave anymore. Even the Minangkabaw or
kagan tribe would perform rituals to ask permission or
“Pagpanabi-sabi” before they would enter the cave.

6.  Barangay Anislagan (formerly known Anislagun)
 Barangay Anislagan was formerly known as Anislagun.
Anislagun was a kind of tree which naturally grow in
the coastal area. Anislagan was among the fishing
grounds of the Kagans since time immemorial. It also
served as their salt production area during the ancient
times.

7.  The old mangroves found in some portions of barangay Anislagan,
Maco.

8. Barangay Binuangan
(Kabinuangan)
 Barangay Binuangan was formerly known as
Kabinuangan. Its name derived from a specie of tree
which naturally grow in this area.
 Kagan tribe was known to be very kind and hospitable
people. Because of these attitudes, many settlers were
welcomed in Binuangan. Most of them were migrants
from various tribal communities in Davao Gulf.
 Some traditional Kagan houses can still be seen in
Barangay Binuangan at present and it is being used for
shelter.

9. Pyagmatikadung Alpha Hempon showed the fishing
sanctuary located in Barangay Anislagan

10.  A Testimony of Biya Pimbolangan Alalang Sacamin-
Macaigad, 82 years old of Barangay Hijo, Maco,
Compostela Valley Province
 Interview with Datu Sansaruna Cabaluna Abdullah, 64
years old of Barangay Bucana, Maco, Compostela Valley
Province
 Original traditional landmarks of Kagan ICCs/IPs found in
Barangay Bucana, Maco,Compostela Valley Province. Photo
documentation was taken by the Kagan TWG Members and
evaluated (Ocular Inspection) by AD Delineation Team of
NCIP Compostela Valley Provincial Office

11. Old village found in Barangay Binuangan,
Maco, ComVal. Photo taken by Ms. Myrna E. Orit, TAA-I of NCIP
ComVal

12. Pyagmatikadung Alpha Hempon
showed the burial site of Ompo
Calolong located in Barangay
Binuangan.
 At the right is the burial ground
of the late Ompo Calolong. He
was a great warrior and “Balyan,”
a traditional spiritual healer of
Kagan. That being a traditional
spiritual healer was passed by the
late Ompo to Pyagmatikadung
Alpha Hempon of barangay
Binuangan

13. Barangay Bucana (formerly called
as “Sabangan Nang Eyo”)
 Kagan usually performed their rituals
in Barangay Bucana as it was
considered by them as a sacred place
considering the existence of various
species of big trees. It served as the
Kagan’s ritual ground, especially
when they
 perform traditional healing.

14. Pyagmatikadung Sansaruna
Cabaluna Abdullah showing
the Bucana river. Photo taken
by Myrna E. Orit of NCIP ComVal
 At the left is the Bucana
River along coastal area in
Maco. This river is the
source of livelihood for
the Kagan Tribes during
the ancient times.

15. A portion of Hijo River.
Photo taken by Myrna E. Orit of NCIP
ComVal.
 Barangay Hijo (formerly known as “Eyo”)
 Barangay Hijo derived its name from the big river which was formerly known as
the EYO River. It was called EYO because when somebody wants to be fetched by
the boatman to cross the river, he or she will just shout a prolonged word
“EEEEYYOOOO”. This prolonged word was also used by the meeting individuals to
determine if they belong to the same tribe (Kagan) especially during night time.
The Kagans were used to be called as “Taga-Eyo” since the largest group of the
tribe have settled at the banks of the said river.

16.  An old Mamakaw tree can still be
seen in Barangay Hijo. This is
considered as a sacred place of
the Kagan since time
immemorial. The Balyan
performs ritual and prepare
offering (“pagbana”) such as
wine, chicken, ba-is, yellow rice
and turmeric among others at
the foot of the said tree. Balyan
call the spirits for the
protection, safety and
abundance of harvest.

17. New Asturias formerly known as
“Mag-ag”
 Barangay New Asturias was
formerly known as “Mag-ag.”The
latter was the Kagan term for a
body of yellowish water. It was
called Mag-ag because a lot of
water sources can be found
within the area. As evidence to
that, you can still see some of
those water sources up to this
time in Barangay Asturias.

18.  Since time immemorial, the Mag-
ag cannot be separated from the
day-to-day existence of the
Kagan because most, if not all,
of them were fishermen who
derived their income and
sustenance from the sea and
rivers. It is in the body of water
where the Kagans would catch
fish and have it bartered with
other foods from other tribes.

19.  Aside from being the source
of the bodies of water,
Barangay New Asturias was
also considered as one of
the hunting grounds of the
Kagan ancestors.
 Many wild animals and birds
inhabited the said place
because apart from being a
forestal area, it was also
near to the water sources
where wild animals quench
their thirst by drinking
waters from the creeks and
rivers.

20.  The burial ground of the late Ompong Ali,
one of the gyusugan, can also be found in
Barangay New Asturias.
 Moreover, some portions of Barangay New
Asturias was also used by the Kagans for
their farming activities where they planted
root crops, umay (upland rice), batad
(corn), pawda(sweet potato), panggi
(cassava) and saging (banana).
 Barangay Pandapan formerly known “Pog”.
 Pog was the former name of Barangay
Pandapan in Tagum City, Davao Del Norte.
Pog, for the Kagans, means a source of
water. It is where the Kagans would take
their rest and fetch water to quench their
thirst after performing their day to day
activities in the farm.

21.  The place was called
“Pog” because of the big
river which crossed from
the Municipality of
Mawab through Tagum
City in Davao del Norte
and the Municipality of
Maco in Compostela
Valley.

22. Thank you...