EXPLORING THE RICH CULTURE AND TRADITIONS OF THE AETA ETHNOLINGUISTIC GROUP IN THE PHILIPPINES
The Aeta People: Culture, Beliefs, and Way of Life The Aeta people are among the earliest inhabitants of the Philippines, known for their distinct culture, deep connection to nature, and resilient way of life. The term “Aeta” is believed to have originated from the Malay word hitam , meaning “ black ,” or from related words in Philippine languages such as itim or itom , which refer to “people.” In early ethnographic records, the Aeta were also identified by various names, including Ayta, Alta, Atta, Ita, and Ati . At times, they were described as “little blacks,” a reference to their dark skin. According to Early and Headland (1994), there were approximately 31,000 Aeta living on various Philippine islands. According to Seitz (2005), the Aeta form part of the Philippines’ aboriginal population, the so-called Negritoes . They differ from other Filipino...