Tribu Eskaya is one of the less visited place in Bohol. They are an indigenous group found in the towns of Duero, Guindulman, Sierra Bullones, and Pilar. The tribe has its own distinct culture, literature, and language. The most common settlement of the tribe is located in barangay Taytay, Duero, Bohol.

The Eskaya Tribe of Bohol

How to Go to Eskaya Tribe

1. Ride a bus or van to Duero, Bohol.
2. Duero fare – bus 70.00php and van is 120php.
3. Stop at Duero Public Market.
4. 100php habalhabl one way to Eskaya Tribe.
5. Taytay, Duero is the tip most of the mountains of Duero.

History of Eskaya Tribe

There are many controversies and stories regarding the history of the tribe. Most of it based on stories passed down from generations to generations. The most detailed that is so near of what our guide has shared to us can be read here http://www.bohol-philippines.com/history-of-eskaya.html . On the other note, the Eskaya Tribe in Duero, Bohol was founded by Fabian, Baja under the instructions of Mariano Datahan. Mariano Datahan established the very first Eskaya Tribe in the 20^th century in Biabas, Guindulman, Bohol.

What to expect when visiting Eskaya Tribe?

1. People wear normal clothing.
2. Houses are made of regular materials like brick and wood.
3. People mostly speak the Bisaya/Cebuano dialect.

The Eskaya Books

• Unang Katawhan sa Bohol (First People of Bohol) also known as Pinay, Rangman (encyclopedia)
• Simplet (dictionary)
• Abadeha (Origin of the Alphabet)
• Cuadra (Mechanics of the Alphabet)
• Atekesis (Botanical Knowledge)
• Daylinda (Romantic story of one chief)
• Aritmetica (Arithmetic).

Eskaya Writing and Language

Pinay is the one man who devised the writing system of the Eskaya Tribe. They said that it is based from parts of the human body and positions of a man’s head, arms, and legs. According to some linguists the Eskaya language is pure syllabary much like the Japanese Katakana.

Tips when visiting Eskaya Tribe in Bohol

1. Register at the office of NCIP (National Culture of Indegenous People) in tagbilaran city.
2. Or Drop first at the Culture office of the Municipality of Duero. (Near the market)
3. The culture office will inform the tribe about your visit and someone from the tribe either one of the elders, tribe council or tribe teacher will assist you.
4. Perfect time to visit the tribe
   1. May 5 – Eskaya Tribe Day
   2. Sunday – Eskaya Sunday Service and Eskaya kids are being taught eskaya tribe culture

Eskaya Numbers

Eskaya version of Months

Eskaya version of Days of the week

Eskaya Tribe Religion

In 1902, Mariano datahan instructed that all Eskaya Tribe member shall convert to the Philippine Independent Church. They have weekly church service every Sunday headed by the church head a bishop they call “beriki”. Their supreme being is called “Suno”. They have spiritual leaders who can perform rituals for good harvests, house blessings, weddings and the like but not the weekly service

Things to Do in Eskaya Tribe

1. Talk to the people they are friendly.
2. Visit their strawberry garden. They are the only place in Bohol that grow strawberries.
3. Listen to the elder’s stories.
4. Try learning few Eskaya term.

Recognition and Legalization

Legally, the Eskaya are now classified as an indigenous group under Republic Act or R.A. No. 8371 entitled “The Indigenous People’s Rights Act of 1997. The the group was recognized and the community awarded a Certificate of Ancestral Domain Claim (CADC) in 1996 by President Fidel V. Ramos. CADC No. R7-CADC-14 deemed as ancestral domain 3,173 hectares of land in Taytay (Duero), Biabas (Guindulman), Lundag (Pilar), Canta-ub (Sierra-Bullones), and Cadapdapan (Candijay).

Eskaya Controversies

1. They are the descendants of the resistance groups that fought under Francisco Dagohoy
2. Eskaya are a Semitic proto-Christian tribe
3. They possess the lost book of Enoch
4. They are descendants of the builders of King Solomon’s temple; and that they guard esoteric secrets.
5. The Eskaya tribe is related to the descendants of the Rajah of Butuan.
6. They are remnant of the original indigenous settlers of Bohol who hailed from Sumatra in the 7th century A.D.

Our guide in Eskaya Tribe informed us that they are NOT in anyway associated with the Eskaya Resort in Panglao, Bohol and they are not receiving anything from the said resort.

I would love to hear from you. Connect with GeeMiz

Like Geemiz in facebook | Circle geemiz in Google Plus | Follow @geemiz in twitter | Follow Geemiz Instagram |Subscribe Geemiz Youtube