• Ancestral Spirits: The spirits of deceased family members are respected and honored through rituals and offerings. They are believed to provide guidance and protection to the living. Rituals to honor ancestors often involve prayers, food offerings, and sometimes specific ceremonies during important life events such as births, deaths, and weddings.

• Nature Spirits: The Matigsalug also recognize and communicate with spirits tied to specific natural features like rivers, forests, and mountains. These spirits are believed to have control over the resources found in these areas. For example, a spirit may guard a river and be asked for permission before fishing in it.

• Ritual Offerings: Offerings are commonly made to spirits and ancestors as part of their rituals. These can include food, flowers, incense, or symbolic items placed at sacred spots, such as near riverbanks or beneath large trees. The offerings are a way to show respect and gratitude, asking for blessings and protection in return.

• Healing and Shamanism: Traditional healers, often called Babaylan or Datu, play a vital role in the community's spiritual and physical well-being. They are believed to have a deep connection with the spiritual world and are often called upon during illness, crop failure, or other misfortunes. They perform healing ceremonies that may involve chants, herbal remedies, and spiritual rituals to restore harmony.

• Sacred Sites: Certain natural locations, such as forests, caves, or mountains, are considered sacred by the Matigsalug. These places are believed to be inhabited by powerful spirits or ancestors. People often visit these sites during important life events to seek guidance or blessings.

• Respect for Animals: The Matigsalug hold a deep respect for animals, as they believe animals are messengers of the spirit world. Hunting is conducted with great respect for the animals, and there are customary practices that ensure the sustainability of the animal population. Rituals may also be performed before and after hunting to show respect and ensure future success.

• Initiation Rites: Young men and women undergo initiation rites to mark their transition into adulthood. These rites may involve teachings, physical challenges, and spiritual ceremonies that prepare the individual for their role in the community.

• Marriage Ceremonies: The Matigsalug have unique marriage rituals that often include spiritual blessings, the exchange of symbolic gifts, and ceremonies to honor the union of the couple with their ancestors and spirits. These practices strengthen the bond between the couple and their spiritual guardians.

• Funeral Rites: When a person dies, their body is prepared according to specific traditions, and there is a funeral ceremony that involves offerings and prayers for the deceased. The Matigsalug believe that the deceased's spirit must be properly honored to ensure it finds peace and does not disrupt the living.

• Creation Myths: The Matigsalug people possess a deep cosmological belief system rooted in oral tradition, offering profound insights into how they understand the beginning of the world and humanity. At the heart of their creation myth is Manama, the supreme creator deity.

According to Matigsalug tradition, Manama existed alone in a sacred realm called Lingawayni. From this divine solitude, he began the work of creation—bringing forth other deities to help shape the world and its people. Manama is seen not just as a creator, but as a guiding spiritual force, lovingly referred to in rituals as “Amey ney ne Manama” or “Our Father Manama.”

These beliefs are celebrated and honored through panubad—traditional rituals held during farming seasons, healing ceremonies, weddings, and other significant life events. In these sacred moments, the Matigsalug people seek blessings, healing, and wisdom from Manama and other spiritual beings.

Though many of these creation stories remain undocumented—safeguarded in the memories and voices of elders—they continue to play a vital role in the community’s cultural identity. The myth of Manama highlights not only the origins of the universe but also the Matigsalug people's enduring spiritual connection to nature, ancestry, and the divine.

• Balance and Harmony: Central to their worldview is the belief in maintaining balance and harmony. Disharmony with nature or the spirits can result in misfortune, illness, or natural disasters. Rituals and ceremonies are conducted to restore balance and ensure that harmony is maintained between the physical and spiritual worlds.

• Alrew Te Matigsalug – Sinuda, Kitaotao, Bukidnon - This is the official tribal celebration of the Matigsalug community in Kitaotao. Held annually in Sinuda, the festival brings together elders, youth, and visitors in a vibrant display of dances, chants, rituals, and traditional attire. It serves as a thanksgiving, a cultural preservation initiative, and a space for passing down oral histories and practices.

• Kaamulan Festival – Malaybalay City, Bukidnon - A province-wide celebration honoring the seven ethnic tribes of Bukidnon, including the Matigsalug. This gathering is one of the biggest cultural showcases in Mindanao, featuring ethnic street dancing, ritual reenactments, and a platform for intertribal unity.

• Sabit Festival – San Fernando, Bukidnon - A biocultural festival joined by Matigsalug and Tigwahanon tribes, focusing on indigenous environmental practices and thanksgiving. Through ritual dances and community feasting, the tribes express gratitude for a bountiful harvest and continued protection of their ancestral domains.

• IP Month Tributes – Davao Region (Marilog, Paquibato) - During October, Matigsalug communities in Davao City also celebrate their identity through Indigenous Peoples Month activities—featuring oral storytelling, traditional music, crafts, and performances that keep ancestral knowledge alive.

The Matigsalug's ancestral practices and beliefs reflect their deep respect for nature, their ancestors, and the spiritual forces that shape their world. These practices provide a framework for understanding their place in the universe and their responsibility to maintain harmony with the natural and spiritual realms.