[5] Encyclopædia Britannica estimates that the Waray people's population reached 4.2 million in early 21st century.
[6] Although, an updated 2020 Philippine census reveals that Warays only constitute around 4.1 million only,[1] about 100,000 short of the Encyclopædia Britannica estimate.
[citation needed] According to historian and Filipinologist William Henry Scott, evidence of the first humans in the Eastern Visayas region can be found at Sohoton Caves in Basey, Samar, dating around 8,550 BC.
[7][8][2] Flake tools made of stone were found in the caves along the Basey River as proof of human existence during those times.
[2] The Waray people descend from Austronesian-speaking seafarers who settled the Philippine archipelago starting in the Iron Age.
[9] Before the Spaniards came in the region, the Warays already had complex cultural and socio-political systems, and trading with the Chinese, Borneans and Malays.
[2] In 1521, the Warays of the east coast of Samar, who called themselves Ibabaonon,[10] were the first people from the Philippine islands that were seen by the Europeans in the expedition led by Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan.
[9] According to Magellan's documenter, Antonio Pigafetta, they first came across with this native group at sea close to Suluan Island.
Eartha Kitt's version of "Waray-Waray" differs significantly from her songs in other languages like French and Spanish.
This rough delivery contrasts with the smoother performances she typically provides in other non-English songs.
Eartha Kitt performed "Waray-Waray" internationally, including in the Philippines, where it became part of the broader discourse on Filipina identity.
Most of the negative connotation of this stereotype however, which depicted Warays as violent and callous, were caused by the notorious Waray-Waray gangs.
[14][15] The ongoing New People Army Rebellion's main stronghold is held within Northern Samar, due to the region's history of resistance against colonialism and its strong cultural ties to their former warrior culture in their pre-colonial days as many NPA fighters are predominantly of Waray & Cebuano descent.
[2] Each province in Samar Island has a distinct variant of Waray that can be distinguished by its vocabulary, tone, and accent variations.
The dance is so integral to Waray culture that it is also exhibited in birthdays, weddings, baptisms, and even political and sports events.
Traditionally, the dance area for the dancers are leveled, and not elevated, so that the spectators may surround them, whether the location is indoor or outdoor.
Despite being brisque and rapid, the men are expected to execute the steps in a graceful manner where they seem to glide in space.
The basic format of the women's steps is based on a sub-step known as duon, which means 'to put weight on'.
The man afterwards will kneel and roll around while the woman manifests her prestige with poise as she sways and circles towards her partner.
The bride and the groom are expected to dance the kuratsa, followed by the ninang and ninong (the principal sponsors of the marriage).
The thrown money is known as gala, and is collected and offered by the groom to the bride as the precursor of a married life.
Other major agricultural products include rice and corn, while sugarcane, abaca, and tobacco are also grown.