Higaonon-Banwaon...

Higaonon is derived from the native word "gaon" which means mountain, literally, they are mountain people. Higaonon are somewhat nomadic, that is, they travel from one mountain village to another, looking for more fertile soil and better harvest. The enclosure of civilization made them settle their position to the confines of the area which they now claim as their ancestral domain ; at the boundaries of Bukidnon, Misamis Oriental and Agusan del Sur.

The Higaonon people are of medium built with average height of about 5 feet and 2 inches, they are of lighter skin complexion compared to the other tribes in the province. Quiet a number of them have a very recognizable European features, aquiline nose, deep-set eyes and prominent cheeks, a legacy of the intermarriage between the natives and the Spanish conquiestadores.

Generally, they are warm and friendly. They are one of the fiercest warrior when intimidated and one of the best organized and closely knitted as well. Higaonon are good hunters and farmers

The Banwaon, on the other hand, is more likely to be thought as the relative to the Manobo tribe. Derived from the word "Banwa" which means village or country, the Banwaons are village settlers. So, while the Higaonons occupy the mountainous area of Esperanza, the Banwaon set their domain at the lowlands and upstream the Maasam Libang and Adgawan Rivers. It is this geographical settlement that made the Banwaon more comparably the same with the Manobo, they are both adept in fishing and farming, and almost of the same built and complexion.

Being neighbors, (the Higaonon and the Banwaon) groups are constantly at odd with each other. Disputes as to property, domain and the likes usually disrupt the peaceful co-existence which they are trying to maintain. To address this problem, the datus of each tribe will marry women from the other to settle things up, to expand the authority of his power and to extend his personal relationship to the other tribe. Males of both tribes are allowed to marry as many as they want, for as long as the tribal elders and their wives will consent. Eventually, the intermarriages between the Higaonon and Banwaon people close the gap between the tribal differences and bring forth what we now call as the Higaonon-Banwaon tribe.