Who Are the Bisaya or Visayan People?

BISAYA is NOT a language at all.

BISAYA (Bisayans or Visayans) are people who trace their roots in Bisaya islands (Visayas islands).

This region includes the islands of Panay, Romblon, Guimaras, Negros,Cebu, Bohol, Siquijor, Leyte, Biliran and Samar. 

However, because of migration over time, a large part of Mindanao is now largely populated by Bisaya people.

Bisaya people speak related languages belonging to the Malayo-Polynesian family. 

These Languages are: Hiligaynon, Aklanon, Cebuano, Capiznon, Kinaray-a, Bantoanon, Romblomanon, Waray,  Surigaonon, Cuyonon, Butuanon, and Tausug etc.

Languages of the Bisaya people in the 6 Major BISAYA Islands are:

1. Panay Island = Languages of the Bisaya People in Panay are: Hiligaynon, Karay-a, Aklanon, and Capiznon

2. Negros Island = Languages of the Bisaya People in Negros are: Cebuano (Negros Oriental) and Hiligaynon (Negros Occidental)

3. Cebu Island = Language of the Bisaya People in Cebu is Cebuano

4. Bohol Island = Language of the Bisaya People in Bohol is Boholano (local version of Cebuano language)

5. Leyte Island = Languages of the Bisaya People in Leyte are: Waray (Northern Leyte) and  Cebuano (Southern Leyte)

6. Samar Island = Languages of the Bisaya People in Samar are: Waray (Eastern Samar) and Cebuano (Southern Samar)

Mindanao provinces that speak the CEBUANO language: Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay Davao del Sur, Davao Oriental, Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Bukidnon, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, South Cotabato, North Cotabato,Saranggani, Sultan Kudarat.

Hiligaynon is also spoken in Southern Cotabato 

Heavy migration to Mindanao of people from Cebu and Dumaguete etc in 1940's, spurred by government-sponsored resettlement programmes,is the reason why 90% of Mindanao people speak the Cebuano language. Cebuano is a part of the Visayan language Family. 

Also Ilonggo people from Panay and Negros islands who speak Hiligaynon migrated in Mindanao and most of them settled in Pigkawayan and Midsayap North Cotabato areas.

If an Ilokano or Tagalog person learns to speak Cebuano or Hiligaynon language it does not make him a Bisaya person because his ethnic blood is NOT Bisaya.

Same like if you are a Bisaya or Ilokano and you learned to speak Mandarin or Cantonese language it does not make him Chinese because his ethnic blood is not Chinese.

Sources: 

Samples of  Bisaya Songs:

Waray = Waray-Waray

Kinray-a = Mauli ako sa Antique

Hiligaynon (ilonggo) = Kuring - Pirot

Cebuano = BUWAD SUKA SILI 

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