Barter Trade 

tawi-tawi

A day trip to Panglima Sugala in Tawi-Tawi, Philippines 

Who would have thought that a long-time traditional trading called ‘barter system’ is very much in active operation in Tawi-Tawi.

The barter market day or ‘tabuh-tabuh’ is always filled with traders coming from neighboring municipalities, particularly from the Municipality of Bongao who travel by land for half an hour just to barter goods with the Badjaos.

fresh catch

Root Crops

Raw Cassava and sweet potatoes part of barter trade items in Panglima Sugala.

Map

market day

Exchanges of products between the farmers and badjao people take place during the early morning of the ‘market day’.

dried octopus

Marine products that are traded by the Badjaos are either fresh, salted and dried.