The islands of the Philippines are inhabited by a number of different ethnolinguistic groups, the majority of whose own languages are Austronesian languages in origin. Many of these groups converted to Christianity, particularly the lowland-coastal groups, and adopted many foreign elements of culture. Ethnolinguistic groups include the Ivatan, Ilocano, Pangasinan, Kapampangan, Tagalog, Bicolano, Visayans (Masbateño, Hiligaynon/Ilonggo, Cebuano, Boholano/Bol-anon, Waray and Surigaonon) Maranao, Subanon and Zamboangueños.
In western Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago, there are indigenous groups who practice Islam. The Spanish called them Moros after the Moors (despite no resemblance or cultural ties to them apart from their religion). In the Agusan Marsh and the highlands of Mindanao, there are native ethnic groups collectively known as the Lumad. Unlike the Moros, these people do not practice Islam, and maintain their animistic beliefs and traditions though some of them have converted to Christianity as well.