Social: Belesia

DATE Pacific > Belesia > Social: Belesia ←You are here

Belesian society is a blend of island diversity with general religious homogeneity. As a nation, it has struggled to overcome the cultural differences of the various scattered ethnic groups in the multi-island nation. However, centuries of colonial rule, and the rejection of that rule, served as a catalyst for the unifying spiritual presence of Islam – a unique institution in this region. This process has been anything but smooth, as the country has suffered a series of political shifts between popular yet inefficient and often corrupt traditionalists and more Western-leaning but brutal military juntas.

Social Statistics for Belesia, Gabal, North Torbia, Olvana, and South Torbia

Statistic	Belesia	Gabal	North Torbia	Olvana	South Torbia
Age distribution (%)	0 - 14 years: 32.64% 15 - 64 years: 62.21% 65+ years: 5.15%	33.45% 62.93% 3.62%	23.82% 68.63% 7.55%	16.60% 70.14% 13.26%	13.30% 66.70% 20.00%
Median age	27.4 Males: 27.0 Females: 27.9	23.8 M: 23.9 F: 23.74	31.1 M: 30.0 F: 32.3	37.4 M: 36.5 F: 38.4	44.6 M: 43.1 F: 46.1
Population Growth rate	59,966,876 +1.53%	84,190 +2.21%	12,981,493 +0.69%	1,123,348,142 +0.59%	42,375,386 +0.13%
Birth rate per 1,000	19.7	23.9	16.4	16.5	8.0
Death rate per 1,000	5.9	5.5	8.4	12.2	7.9
Net migration rate per 1,000	-5.1	-0.4	0	-1.3	+4.4
Urban population Annual urbanization rate	49.1% 2.2%	21.9% 2.8%	47.5% 1.6%	87.0% 0.7%	88.0% 4.6%
Infant mortality rate per 1000 live births	22.6	48.1	50.3	12.2	3.5
Life expectancy at birth in years	70.9 Males: 68.4 Females: 73.5	67.5 M: 65.4 F: 69.7	68.6 M: 65.8 F: 71.3	72.6 M: 70.5 F: 76.0	83.0 M: 79.3 F: 86.2
Fertility rate (children per woman)	2.4	3.0	2.1	1.6	1.3
Major diseases in the OE	Bacterial diarrhea Hepatitis A Typhoid fever Dengue fever Malaria Leptospirosis	Bacterial diarrhea Hepatitis A Typhoid fever Dengue fever Malaria Zika virus	Bacterial diarrhea Protozoal diarrhea Hepatitis B Malaria Tuberculosis Rabies	Bacterial diarrhea Hepatitis A Typhoid fever Japanese encephalitis Hantaviral hemorrhagic fever	Cholera Tuberculosis HIV/AIDS Shigellosis
Ethnic groups (%)	Mindanoan Suluese: 54.7% Cebuan Suluese: 14.1% Olvanese: 23.3% Torbian: 7.0% Other: 1.0%	Indigenous Gabalian: 93.8% Belesian: 1.9% Olvanese: 1.5% European/Australian: 1.0% Other: 1.8%	Torbian: 99.8% Olvanese: 0.2%	Peelee: 91.5% Beihai: 1.6% Baiyin: 1.0% Dong: 0.9% Yi: 0.6% Gannan: 0.5% Other: 4.0%	Torbian: 99.0% Other: 1.0%
Religions in OE (%)	Muslim: 86.8% Christian: 10.4% Buddhist: 2.8%	Protestant: 68.0% Catholic: 24.1% Buddhist: 4.7% Indigenous faiths: 1.7% Other: 1.5%	Officially irreligious Pockets of Buddhism Pockets of indigenous faiths	Hindu: 79.8% Muslim: 14.2% Christian: 2.3% Sikh: 1.7% Buddhist: 0.7% Jain: 0.4% Other: 0.9%	Buddhist: 61.3% Agnostic/Atheist: 19.1% Christian: 5.6% Confucian: 4.7% Muslim: 2.9% Other: 6.4%
Primary Languages (%)	Belesian: 85.9% Major indigenous languages: 8.2% English 4.5% Other foreign languages: 1.4%	Official Gabalian: 33.7% Local variants: 61.2% English: 2.0% Olvanane: 2.0% Torbian 1.1%	Torbian: 100.0%	Eastern variants of Olvanese: 71.5% Other Olvanese variants: 24.3% Non-Olvanese languages: 4.2%	Torbian: 99.2% English: 0.5% Other: 0.3%
Literacy rate (older than 15) (%)	94.9% Males: 96.1% Females: 93.7%	64.2% M: 65.3% F: 59.4%	100% M: 100% F: 100%	96.4% M: 98.3% F: 94.4%	98.5% M: 99.1% F: 97.8%

Population Movement (Migration/IDPs/Refugees)

Nearly 40 years ago, the Belesian government created regulations that were an inducement to recruit Belesians to work overseas. Since then, it has supplied all kinds of skilled and low-skilled workers to the world's more developed regions. Nearly 10% of the population works or resides outside of Belesia in close to 200 countries and territories. Although Belesia is one of the most important labor exporting countries in Asia, it still faces major problems in receiving actual socioeconomic benefit from globalization and a deregulated global labor market. Since the majority of Belesian workers deployed overseas are uneducated and unskilled, the country has issues with controlling irregular labor migrants and protecting its migrant workers.

Belesia has a smaller number of refugees and internally displaced persons (IDP). The IDP population generally fled the military actions between the military and the more extreme Islamic factions in areas of Mindanao into the northern and central islands with higher Christian populations. Generally, however, those fleeing Mindanao tend to leave Belesia altogether, driven by economic factors. The country also has periodic temporary IDP surges as the result of natural disasters. The country’s largely Muslim refugee population stems from those seeking to flee persecution, torture, or cruel and unusual punishment, as Belesia has a broad immigration policy.

Population Distribution

The population density in parts of Belesia is high, but the distribution of the population is uneven. For example, the density on the island of Cebu is 40 times that of Palawan or Sabah. The country’s birth rate remains significantly higher than the world average, as well as the average for the region. A comprehensive family planning program in place since the mid-20th century has had limited success, in part because reductions in the birth rate have been offset to some degree by reductions in the death rate. Yet, the population growth rate has fallen by half over the past 3 decades.

Since World War II, the population has tended to move from rural areas to towns and cities. At the beginning of the 20th century more than four-fifths of the population was rural, but by the early 21st century, that proportion had dropped to roughly one-half. The plains lying amid the mountains have long had the greatest density of population in the islands, except on Cebu, where the people have lived mostly on the coastal plain because of the island’s high and rugged interior. Many tribes on isolated mountainous islands have little contact with one another, let alone with the outside world, and live within a non-monetarized economy dependent on subsistence agriculture.

Belesia’s population problems center mostly on this issue of population density. Millions of inhabitants populate the islands around Cebu inclusive but these islands account for just over 7% of the land area. By contrast, the Sabah represents 22% of the total land mass, yet has only 1% of the population. While overall, the majority of the people have access to water and sanitation, the dense population trends towards a high risk of infectious disease. The five largest cities in Belesia are:

Davao City: pop. 1,632,991 (Mindanao Island)

Cebu City: pop. 922,611 (Cebu Island)

Zamboanga City: pop. 861,799 (Mindanao Island)

Cagayan de Oro: pop. 675,950 (Mindanao Island)

Iloilo City: pop. 447,992 (Panay Island)

Demographic Mix

The majority Muslim ethnic Suluese are dominant politically and socially. However, an Olvanese minority holds disproportionate economic power, while Christians dominate the military as a holdover from Colonial days. Generally, individual neighborhoods or even towns are homogeneous. These communities can coexist in relative harmony although racial and religious divides persist. This is especially true on the island of Mindanao, home of the most extreme Islamic factions. Age variation in Belesia is typical for an emerging nation. Approximately one third of Belesians are children, while only 5% are over the age of 65, with a median age of about 27.

Social Volatility

The two main sources of internal strife in Belesia are poverty and religion. Over the last two decades, Belesian politics have been split between supporters and detractors of the popular yet frequently corrupt ruling party. Over the past century, the military has seized power in often-violent coups no less than 12 times. These coups are followed by interludes of a democratically elected government.

Either the government or the military control nearly all the national television networks and operate most of the radio networks. While the media are free to criticize government policies, and cover instances of corruption and human rights abuses, journalists tend to exercise self-censorship regarding the military, the judiciary and other sensitive issues.

Emerging social problems have shown that the characteristics of poverty are becoming more complex, with differing forms of disparity and inequality. Unemployment is persistently at the 25-30% rate, with higher levels in youth and rural demographics. Government efforts to expand employment in the manufacturing and tourism sectors are offset by fears that development could harm the environment, particularly the rain forests that are under pressure from palm oil plantations and illegal logging. Poverty levels are the worst in either the densest urban or least dense rural environs. All of these factors have led Belesia to face widespread terrorism from a number of disparate groups, forcing the Belesian government to also require international assistance in developing counter-terrorism measures. These measures are often excessive and critiqued by the world at large.

Education Level

The Department of Education ensures that all school-age children and youths receive a basic high-quality education that will allow them to function as productive, socially responsible citizens. Elementary education in Belesia is compulsory; it starts at age five and lasts for seven years (one year of kindergarten and six years of primary education). Secondary education begins at age 12 and lasts for an additional six years; undergraduate college instruction typically is four years. Vocational schools offer specialized training for one to three years.

Ethnic Diversity

Many small groups of indigenous peoples historically account for Belesia’s population. However, these can generally be divided into either Mindanoan or Cebuan Suluese. Together, these groups make up nearly 70% of the overall population. Descendants of and current immigrants from Olvana and Torbia account for the other 30%. However, centuries of contact with first the Torbians, then the Olvanese, and later colonial powers has resulted in only a tiny percentage of the total population in a fixed indigenous tribe. Often these tribes are isolated in mountainous regions. Essentially, the population can be divided into four segments, whom, at any given time may be in either open conflict or tenuous peace with each other. The groups are the unmixed indigenous tribes, who may or may not ally with other indigenous groups based on millennia of tribal affiliation; the Suluese of mixed tribal ancestry; the Olvanese and Olvanese descendants of mixed ancestry; and the Suluese with colonial or Torbian ancestry.

Religious Diversity

The government of Belesia formally recognizes six religions and has official national holidays. About 87% of the population is Muslim, roughly 10% is Christian, either Protestant or Roman Catholic, while the remaining 3% is Buddhist, Hindu, or Confucian. While the country is predominantly Muslim, the government is secular and not based on a single religion. Islam was brought to southern Belesia in the 15th century from the west and the religion was already well established in the Sulu Archipelago and Mindanao by the time of European contact. The small numbers of Belesians practicing Buddhism or Hinduism are primarily associated with communities of Olvanese or Torbian descent. Some of the more rural indigenous peoples maintain local religions.

Common Languages

Estimates of the total number of native languages and dialects spoken in Belesia differ, but studies suggest that there are around 150. Most of the country’s languages are closely related, and are collectively referred to as Belesian, with the major dialects of the country generally corresponding to the largest ethnic groups. Non-Belesian indigenous languages are found on Palawan, Sabah, and Catanduanes. In homes where Belesian is not the primary spoken language, Belesian is still understood, especially in younger generations. Belesian is not a difficult language to learn and most expatriates quickly learn the language sufficiently to succeed in meeting every day needs. English may be spoken in international and high-level business contexts and in larger cities. However, in rural locations it will be difficult to find an English speaker unless at a widely visited tourist location.

Criminal Activity

Belesia’s crime rate is considered high. Incidences of theft, armed robbery, and assault are quite prevalent in the nation. The frequent disruptions in government and traditionally weak policing has allowed organized crime gangs to relocate from other areas of Asia in recent years, thus helping to increase the overall crime rate in the region.

Human Rights

Belesia is currently a parliamentary democracy, but with a checkered history of military coups and corrupt governance. Recent elections saw continued claims of voter intimidation, violence, and influence peddling. However, although irregularities did occur, international monitors believe that the will of the people prevailed. While the current government purports to respect the civil and human rights of the citizenry, problems still exist. The judiciary is understaffed, which causes inefficiency and long delays in bringing people to trial, along with violent attacks on judges and witnesses. Police and private security forces are known to use excessive force, including fatal shootings of ‘suspects.’ The government uses surveillance of questionable legality to monitor persons of interest. Prison conditions are harsh, while inter-tribal violent crime led to the deaths of at least 30 people in recent years. Provincial power struggles, government corruption, and reprisal killings fuel violence, especially among the religious extremists of Mindanao. Rising malaria and HIV/AIDS infection rates are also a concern, prompting calls for emergency intervention from humanitarian aid organizations.

Centers of Social Power

The traditional Belesian social structure includes the following characteristics: 1 - the practice of religion; 2 - recognition of bonds of kinship with obligations extending beyond the immediate family group; 3 - generally egalitarian relationships with an emphasis on acquired, rather than inherited, status; 4 - a strong attachment to the land. Most Belesians still adhere strongly to this traditional social structure, which has its roots in island village life.

Basic Cultural Norms and Values

Belesians, like many island nations, have cultural values that revolve around a multi-active understanding of time. Priorities are planned not according to a time schedule, but in accordance to personal and societal feelings. Speaking is important and body language is not subtle. Sticking to an agenda is not as important as ensuring that everyone’s opinions and feelings are expressed and respected.

Meeting & Greeting	Initial greetings are formal and follow a set protocol of greeting the eldest or most important person first. Introduce women before men. A handshake with a welcoming smile is the standard greeting. Nod or give a slight bow when greeting a woman or an older person. Close female friends may hug and kiss when they meet. Sometimes people will greet, take the hand in a handshake, and hold it against their chest. This is a sign of friendship and respect. People are expected to use academic, professional, or honorific titles and the person's surname until invited to use a first name, or, even more frequently, a nickname.
Visiting / Hospitality	Belesians are known for their hospitality, which should not be rejected as it is viewed as a personal insult. Guests should arrive around 30 minutes later than invited. Women should never be referred to as a “hostess,” as that word has a very negative slang implication. While most business entertaining is done in restaurants, important meetings are followed with lunch or dinner in the home. Appearances matter and the guest will be judged on how well they dress. Personal visits are important to Belesians and preferred over telephone calls or especially email. However, a handwritten thank you note in the week following a visit shows that the guest has class.
Manners	Although slacks, shirts, skirts, and dresses based on European designs are common throughout Belesia, some garments are unique to particular groups or regions. Giving a slight bow when leaving, entering, or passing by people means, "excuse me." Most Belesians are Muslim and consume no liquor or pork. Food is cut in bite size pieces, making a knife unnecessary. The guest of honor or senior person begins the meal, which is a distinct honor. A guest asked to begin the meal should refuse twice and then begin. Hands in pockets signify anger while hitting a fist into a cupped hand is obscene.
Cultural Dos & Don’ts	Do not chew gum or yawn in public. Dress is casual but always dress modestly in villages. Yellow clothing is reserved for tribal leaders. Haggling over goods is not appreciated. During planting season, villagers work on empty stomachs, as they believe that their ancestral spirits will deny their aid and blessings to gardeners who already have food inside their stomachs. Insisting on a written contract is considered a breach of trust, though many understand a Westerner’s need for such documents. Never eat while walking in public, especially when visiting the more traditional villages.
Gifts	Elegantly wrapped gifts indicate respect for the recipient. A dinner invitation can substitute for a gift. Dinner guests bring sweets or flowers to the hosts, but avoid chrysanthemums and white lilies. Money, liquor, knives, scissors, or images of dogs should not be given as gifts. Gifts are not opened in the giver's presence except at a ceremony, where the gift is opened in front of an assembled group. Business gifts are generally not exchanged. A small token of appreciation may be given to secretaries. Giving or receiving gifts with both hands shows respect.
Taboos	Use your right hand to eat, pass things, and touch people. Do not pass objects with your left hand. Do not move objects with your feet or point at another person with your foot.
Personal Space	While Belesian relationships involve a great deal of physical contact and touching, foreigners should allow time to be accepted and to develop good relationships before this is acceptable. Although urban Belesians are used to an overcrowded society and tend to ignore inadvertent invasions of space, allowing for personal space is a sign of respect. Prolonged eye contact may be viewed as a challenge and cause anger. Touching a person’s head, especially a child, should be avoided since that is where the spirit resides and is considered sacred. Approval is sometimes shown with a pat on the shoulder but backslapping is considered offensive.
Displays of Affection	Romantic displays of affection are not shown in public. Generally, a man does not touch a woman in public except to shake hands
Marriage Rituals	A Belesian wedding is typically an amalgamation of local and Islamic customs. The ‘seeking ceremony’ is a crucial tradition, especially in the commonly arranged marriages. The groom’s family performs a background check on the potential bride. Three days before a wedding, the bride’s friends and relatives are invited to view her wardrobe. The ceremony begins two days before the actual marriage with a henna-staining ceremony wherein henna oil is applied to the fingertips of the couple to announce the forthcoming marriage. The wedding ceremony is officiated by an Imam with readings taken from the Qur’an. After the religious ceremony, a banquet, which can last all day, is given in the couple’s honor.
Dispute Resolution	Belesians rarely disagree in public and negotiations are generally non-confrontational. Untruthful answers may be given to avoid disappointing or displeasing anyone. Belesians have difficulty saying no and yes can mean maybe. Most processes take a long time because group consensus is necessary. Decisions are often reached based on feelings rather than facts, which is why it is imperative to develop a broad network of personal relationships. Raising one’s voice or losing one’s temper is accompanied by a loss of respect.
Birth Rituals	Members of extended families typically gather for major life events, which includes not just birth, but circumcisions for Muslims or baptisms and confirmations for Catholic Belesians. A laboring woman should place squash leaves on her abdomen and hold onto hard objects to lessen labor pains. Coconut water can also lessen labor pain. The placenta is seen as the baby’s twin or elder sibling and is perceived as the baby’s guardian throughout life. The placenta is wrapped in a clean cloth and buried in the courtyard of a mosque. The parents give the infant a traditional head-to-toe massage two days after birth using virgin coconut oil. A post-natal confinement period lasts for 44 days, after which the mother and other female family members give the baby its first haircut.
Death Rituals	Islam calls for burial of a body as soon as possible, within 24 hours. For Muslims, cremation is forbidden. However, if foul play is suspected, or a person dies suddenly, mediums are called in to discover the causes and the identity of the sorcerer or witch who may have been involved. This then requires appropriate rituals and sacrifices to free the deceased's spirit. Burial is preceded by ritualistic washing and shrouding of the body, followed by prayer. Relatives gather to express their sorrow, wailing and sometimes chopping off fingers, pulling teeth, shaving hair, or pulling out facial hairs.