Buhid Script

Buhid is used by the Buhid Mangyan, an Indigenous community in southern Mindoro. Like Hanunó’o, it is one of the few Philippine scripts still in use today.

Buhid is an abugida, meaning each character represents a consonant with a built-in “A” vowel sound. Small marks called kudlit are added to change the vowel sound.

Traditionally, Buhid writing is carved onto bamboo using a knife. After carving, ash or charcoal is rubbed into the grooves so the letters stand out clearly.

Buhid is typically written horizontally from left to right, which makes it easier for many learners to recognize compared to vertically written scripts.

💡 Fun Fact:

Buhid is officially recognized as part of the Philippine Paleographs and was declared by UNESCO in 1999 as part of the Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.

 Vowels (Independent Forms)
A
I
U

Common Consonant Characters (default “A” sound) 
Ba
 Ka
 Da
 Ga
 Ha
 La
 Ma
 Na
 Nga
 Pa
 Ra
 Sa
 Ta
 Wa
 Ya

 • Add a mark ABOVE the character → changes vowel to “I”
• Add a mark BELOW the character → changes vowel to “U”

Example pattern:
Ba
Bi
Bu

Each consonant changes its vowel sound using these simple marks.

 • Carved onto bamboo
• Written with a knife
• Used in poetry, messages, and cultural expression
• Taught within the community

Like Hanunó’o, Buhid is used to write traditional poetic forms and preserve oral history.

 Short words like:
Ama (father)
Ina (mother)
Bata (child)

can be written phonetically using Buhid characters.