Ancestors of Filipinos, Indonesians and Malays
Timeline of Ancient Settlers in the Philippines
- First Settlers: Homo Luzonensis - the ancestors of the Negritos (67,000 years ago)
- Second Group: Austronesian (5,000 to 1,500 B.C.)
- Third Group: "The Indones" (Ancient Indonesian) First wave (4,200 B.C.)
- Fourth Group: "The Indones" (Ancient Indonesian) Second wave (1,500 B.C.)
- Fifth Group: Malays (300 to 200 B.C.)
Most modern Philippine citizens, particularly non-indigenous groups, trace their ancestry to the Austronesian expansion, which brought waves of migration from Taiwan and Southeast Asia. This migration led to the dominance of Austronesian-speaking peoples over earlier settlers.
Although the Austronesians—who had genetic links to Mongolian populations—became the predominant group, intermarriages among various ethnic groups, including Chinese, Japanese, and Malaysians, contributed to the diverse ancestry of Filipinos today.
The Austronesian-Malay migration significantly shaped the population of the nation now called "The Philippines" islands between 300 to 200 B.C.. However, it is important to recognize that earlier groups had already settled in the archipelago long before their arrival, making the Philippines home to a rich and complex history of human migration..
Timeline: Ancient time, first settlers, populating the Philippines and important world events
The First Settlers of the Island Nation of the Philippines
Archaeological evidence unearthed from Callao Cave in 2019 suggests that an early hominin species settled on the island of Luzon between 50,000 to 67,000 years ago. These early inhabitants, referred to as "Ubag" or cave people, are scientifically classified as Homo luzonensis. Fossilized remains excavated from Callao Cave indicate that they were among the first settlers of the Philippine archipelago, as confirmed through carbon dating assessments..
Homo luzonensis, discovered in Callao Cave, is believed to be an ancestral group linked to the Negritos, who were among the earliest inhabitants of the archipelago. The Negritos are considered the ancestors of various indigenous groups, including the Aeta of Luzon, Ati and Tumandok of Panay, Agta of Sierra Madre, and Mamanwa of Mindanao.
The discovery of Homo luzonensis has helped bridge gaps in understanding the genetic origins of short-statured, dark-skinned peoples in Southeast Asia, who are distinct from the pygmies of Africa
Over time, the Negritos migrated southward in pursuit of hunting and sustenance, eventually settling across Borneo, Indonesia, Peninsular Malaysia, Southern Thailand, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands of India. Their movement and adaptation made them among the earliest inhabitants of much of Southeast Asia.
The Wave of Austronesian South and Eastward Migrations
After more than 62,000 years since the first settlement of the Negritos in the Philippines—who also migrated to other islands in Southeast Asia—the Austronesians began their southward expansion. Originating from Taiwan (Formosa), these early Austronesians were believed to have genetic links to Mongolian, Chinese, and Japanese populations. Around 5,000 B.C., they started migrating to the islands now known as the Philippines, becoming the second group to settle in the archipelago after the Negritos, who descended from Homo luzonensis.
The interaction between the Negritos and Austronesians led to cultural assimilation, including intermarriages, influencing the traditions and livelihoods of both groups.
Between 5,000 to 1,500 B.C., the Austronesian expansion continued, leaving lasting influences on the regions they occupied. Their migration spread southward and eastward, reaching Luzon, Mindoro, Palawan, Visayas, Mindanao, Borneo, Indonesia, Malaysia, South Vietnam, Southern Thailand, Myanmar, and islands in the Indian Ocean, eventually extending as far as Madagascar.
Meanwhile, Austronesian groups already settled in the Philippine Islands continued their eastward expansion, reaching Palau, Papua New Guinea, Australia, Solomon Islands, Fiji, numerous Pacific islands, and ultimately New Zealand.
This vast migration shaped the linguistic, cultural, and genetic heritage of many Southeast Asian and Pacific populations, making the Austronesians one of the most influential seafaring peoples in history.
Northward & Reverse Migration of the Indones (Ancient Indonesian)
Around 4,200 B.C., approximately 800 years after the initial southward migration of the Austronesians, a reverse migration took place. This movement involved mixed-blood Austronesians from Borneo, Indonesia, and Malaysia, known as the Indo-Austronesians, locally referred to as Indones.
While the major wave of Austronesian expansion continued southwestward, another large group of Indones (Ancient Indonesians) who had settled in Borneo, Malaysia, and Indonesia began migrating northward. This first batch of Indones, classified as the Indo-Austronesian race, eventually occupied the coastal areas of Mindanao, merging with the early Austronesians and Negritos.
These Ancient Indonesians were distinct in their physical features, often described as having slender body structures, fair complexions, sharp and thin facial features, deep-set eyes, and fine noses. Compared to the Negritos and early Austronesians, they exhibited more advanced societal traits, including building houses on trees or with underground holes, as well as skills in hunting, fishing, farming, and cooking.
As they settled along the coastal regions of Mindanao, intermarriages occurred between the Indones, Negritos, and early Austronesians, leading to a blending of cultures and traditions. This first batch of Indones (Ancient Indonesians) became the third major group to settle in Mindanao Island. Over time, they merged with earlier settlers and became the ancestors of the Lumads, including the Subanen people.
Second batch of Indones (Ancient Indonesian)
Around 1,500 B.C., another wave of Ancient Indonesian migration occurred. This group, known as the second batch of Indones (Ancient Indonesians), migrated eastward from the Indo-China and Central Asian Peninsula, eventually settling along the Luzon coast. Their way of life was considered more advanced than that of the previous group.
It is believed that this group was responsible for constructing the Ladder Banawe Stairs, now famously known as the Banaue Rice Terraces. They are regarded as the ancestors of the Lumads in Ifugao and Benguet.
This second wave of Indones migrants exhibited distinct physical characteristics compared to the first batch. They were generally shorter in height, more robust in build, darker in complexion, with well-pronounced jaws, broad rectangular faces, large facial features, and firmly set eyes.
The differences in their physical traits are believed to be the result of genetic mutations influenced by environmental factors. Scientific studies suggest that every 1,000 years, populations adapting to a specific location may undergo genetic changes, affecting skin color, body structure, facial features, and other physical attributes to better suit their environment and way of life.
This second batch of Indones (Ancient Indonesians) became the fourth major group to settle in the Philippines, merging with the Negritos, early Austronesians, and the first batch of Indones (Ancient Indonesians). Their presence contributed to the rich cultural and genetic diversity of the archipelago.
The Migration of the Malays
Between 300 to 200 B.C., a large wave of Malay migration moved northward from Indonesia, Malaysia, and Borneo, settling in Sulu, Palawan, and Mindoro Islands. Over time, they merged with the Negritos, early Austronesians, and Indones, eventually spreading across Visayas, Luzon, Panay, and Bohol. This migration led to the Malay people becoming the most dominant group, eventually outnumbering earlier settlers.
The Malays were the fifth major group to migrate to the Philippines, primarily settling in coastal areas of Sulu, Southern Mindanao, the Visayas, and Luzon.
They became the ancestors of various ethnolinguistic groups in the Philippines, including:
- Visayas: Bisaya/Cebuano, Ilonggo, Waray, and Boholano
- Luzon: Tagalog, Ilokano, Bikolano, Kapampangan, and Pangasinense
- Mindanao: Maguindanao and Maranao (Southern Mindanao), Tausug and Yakan (Sulu Islands)
Most Malay settlers in the Philippines are believed to have originated from large tribal groups in Borneo, migrating northward and establishing settlements across the archipelago during 300 to 200 B.C.
