Courtesy of Mr. Alfredo E Toring

The Mansaka tribe

Mansaka tribes are found in the provinces of Davao del Norte and Davao de Oro, the tribe of Mansaka specifically dwells in the areas of Mawab, Nabunturan, Manat Valley, the Maragusan Valley, the Hijo River Valley, and the seacoasts of Kingking, Maco, Kwambog, Hijo, Tagum, Libuganon, Tuganay, Ising, and Panabo. The etymology of the name "Mansaka" is derived from the words "man" meaning "first" and "saka" meaning "to ascend". Therefore, Mansaka means "the first people to ascend the mountains or go upstream".