Sambal

Sambal map
  • Location: W Luzon
  • Languages: Sambal, a close relative of Tagalog. 3 dialects corresponding to subgroups: Botolan, Tina, and Bolinao
  • Subgroups: Bolinao, Tina, Botolan
  • Subsistence: Lowland agriculture, fishing
  • Population: 118.805

The Sambal live from the northwestern slopes of the namesake Zambales Mountains down to the coast (TIna and Botolan), north to the western tip of Pangasinan (Bolinao). The heaviest population is in Zambales. It appears that the Sambal language descends from a variety of Tagalog known as “Sinaunang,” spoken in Tanay, Rizal.